Chapter 17

Julian heard the shots and started running as fast as his legs could carry him towards Alexis and their baby. His plan to overtake Valentine and his men by surprise had just been ruined. He looked towards where the shots were coming from and was surprised when he realized that it was one of Valentine's men, wearing a black ski mask, who was shooting at Valentine himself in an attempt to take him down.

He felt his breathing slow down and his senses hone in on what was happening around him. He was able to gauge simultaneously the danger Alexis and his baby were in. He wanted to run to Alexis but his baby was laying out in the open, defenseless as ruthless men kept shooting at each other,. He also knew that Alexis would never forgive him if he put her before their child's safety.

Running down the last few steps his heart stopped as he saw a bullet graze Valentine's shoulder followed closely by a second shot. He saw as Valentine pulled out his gun and started shooting wildly towards where the shots where coming from. Buying himself some cover, Valentine quickly grabbed Alexis and started running away from the main hall into what Julian could only assume were more secret corridors.

Unable to stop himself he yelled out her name in attempt to let her know that she was not alone and that he was there to help her. The moment Valentine's men heard him shout out for Alexis they began shooting at him. Julian, knowing if he didn't find cover soon he would end up with a bullet in him, dove towards where his baby still laid. The baby was screeching up a storm, crying his little eyes out, from the cruel way he had been treated and the loud gun fire. Julian quickly grabbed his bassinet and pulled it onto the floor safely by his side as he simultaneously flipped the table in front of them on it's side to provide some shelter against the onslaught of bullets. He had barely managed to get the bassinet down onto the floor and out of the line of fire before he heard Alexis shout out again.

He looked down at his baby, who seemed to realize he now was safe and was now content to stare up at Julian with the most amazing soulful brown eyes Julian had ever seen. Julian felt his heart melt as he saw the perfect caramel skin, long dark lashes; which fell over his rosy cheeks every time the little boy blinked and the sweet little heart shaped mouth. He was perfection a combination of Alexis and him. Julian didn't have more than a second to enjoy his child, before he heard more shots being fired in the direction of the stairs. He saw as more of Valentine's men, having heard the commotion coming from the grand hall, ran in shooting indiscriminately into the hall.

He noticed that ski mask was holding his own and helping to hold back the pack of guards allowing Julian to focus on the two guards that were blocking his way to the corridor that Valentine had taken Alexis through. He was able to take down one guard down before he realized that ski mask had stopped shooting. As he took cover to reload he heard firepower coming from the stairs, he looked up and watched as Jax, having realized that Julian was trapped with the baby, started running down the stairs towards where they were crouching behind the table. Julian have reload both guns raised both guns and started returning fire rapidly giving Jax as much cover as he could until he could reach them.

Julian stood up making himself a bigger target hoping to make himself trying to take some of the heat off of Jax. He was about to make a kill shot, when he was suddenly thrown to the side as the blond Aussie slam into him in an effort not to get shot.

Jax was breathing hard but immediately took up a defensive position helping Julian return fire. ""I've got them mate. You go get Alexis. If he takes her now we may never get her back. I'll get your kids out of here."

Julian watched as Jax reloaded his gun, turned and took in his perfect little boy one last time, before using their confusion to his advantage stepped out into the line of fire. He heard as Jax began firing continuously in an effort to keep them down even as Julian used the guns in his hand to clear his path towards where he had seen Valentine drag Alexis to. He watched as he saw his bullet connect with the two men he had been aiming for, Jax marksmanship pushing the others further back until he was able to go through the door that Valentine had dragged Alexis through.

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Jax watched as their well constructed plan went out the window the minute Valentine's guard took it upon himself to be a hero and start shooting at the psychopath that was holding Alexis. Julian had been within minutes of reaching the baby, without being notice, and now he was pinned down by a hail of bullets and Valentine had once again dragged Alexis away. He looked back towards where Sam was keeping an eye for trouble, he knew he would catch hell from Julian and Alexis if anything happened to Sam but right now Alexis, Julian and the baby needed him more.

"Sam" he hissed loud enough to get her attention. Once she turned he pointed indicating that he was going down and she should watch herself. He saw as she visibly paled at the realization that the plan had just changed. Having been in these situations before, Jax watched as she took a few seconds to calm down and then immediately nodded an affirmative, adjusted her position so that she could watch both sides and once again became focused on her task. Seeing that she was in control, he turned, assessed the situation, took a deep breath and began sprinting down the stairs.

He flew down the stairs as Julian kept Valentine's men down with a hail of bullets he was firing on them. He was being helped by Valentine's turncoat guard. He saw as Valentine's guards turned their fire power completely on ski mask eventually taking him down in a hail of firepower. He knew that there would be no way for Julian to keep them off of him if he didn't rush so he lunged towards the table where Julian was hiding. He grimaced as he felt a bullet graze his leg and the grunted a second later as he landed hard against Julian.

He had but a second to regain his bearings before he ordered Julian to go. He felt bad for the man as he looked longingly at the baby. He could see that Julian cared for Alexis and her children or their children, he smirked internally, and now he was being forced to choose between them.

"I've got them mate. You go get Alexis. If he takes her now we may never get her back. I will get your kids out of here." Julian turned back to him, for a second Jax felt as if Julian was looking into his very soul to determine if he was worthy of his trust then as if making a decision he turned to look at the son he had never known about. He turned towards Jax once more ,nodded his thanks before running out of the safety of their shelter, his guns blazing as he went after Alexis. Jax pulled the baby closer to him, aimed at Valentine's guard and started shooting providing all the protection he could.

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Julian rushed towards Alexis, Jax providing all the protection he could as he shot at Valentine's men keeping them at bay while Julian shot wildly at them as he ran after Alexis.

He turned a corner at full speed, the scene in front of him making him come to a dead stop. His breathing hitch as he saw Alexis standing with her back to him; Valentine gun aimed at her head. Julian had very little time to think as he saw Valentine cock his gun.

Not thinking about anything but how to get the gun off of Alexis he called out to Valentine in a hope to draw the gun away from her and onto him. Julian got what he wanted immediately as Valentine, realizing who Julian was, took the gun off of Alexis and shot at Julian forcing him to take cover.

"Stay back" he heard Valentine growl a second before spinning Alexis around so that she was now facing Julian. Valentine forced Alexis in front of him like a shield, a knife now pressing into her neck hard enough that Julian was able to see blood making its way down her neck. "I won't let you have her. She's mine" Valentine spit out.

Julian took in Alexis making sure she was okay. When his eyes reached hers, his heart broke at the pain and despair in her beautiful brown eyes. He saw her mouth his name as a single tear fell from her eyes.

"Alexis does not belong to you" Julian shouted forcing himself to maintain control as he waited for an opening that would allow him to get Alexis away from Valentine without hurting her. He clenched the gun in his hand ready to fire as soon as he found a weakness.

"Se has always been mine" he sneered "I will take her ..." Valentine in his arrogance was to busy grandstanding that he didn't realize it when he pulled the knife away from Alexis's throat giving her the opportunity she needed to push the knife away. Before Valentine realized what was happening, Alexis had let herself fall down using her dead weight to pull Valentine off balance. Julian seeing the opening, Alexis had provided for him, shot at Valentine hitting him on the shoulder that was holding the knife. Julian rushed forward as soon as the bullet left his clip grabbing Alexis away from the bastard and pushing her safely behind him.. He looked down at Valentine, who was laying sprawled out on his back attempting to get up, not willing to give him a chance to her Alexis ever again he shot Valentine twice more in the heart.

As soon as Valentine stopped moving, Julian turned to Alexis wrapping her tightly in his arms as she held on just as tightly to his neck, her body molding itself to his, as she let silent tears fall. "Sweetheart" he whispered just happy to be able to hold her once more. Her soft, warm body in his arms was more than he could have ever hoped for. He felt his blood boil as he felt her start to shake; warm, silent tears falling against the crook of his neck. He knew Valentine deserved to have been punished further but the risk to Alexis was not worth the vengeance Julian had wanted to take on Valentine. His death, along with the knowledge that she was with him would be the memory the bastard could take to hell with him.

Before he could hold her for more than a few precious seconds he felt her pull away as she heard the soft whimpers of the their baby. She looked up and turned towards where Jax had walked in holding their baby. Jax was standing at the entrance trying to sooth their little boy, but the baby refused to be sooth and started wailing, turning red, from the exertion his little body had gone through. She walked out of Julian's arms and took her baby out of Jax's arms and held him tightly to her chest as she tried to sooth him by rocking him back and forth. She lifted him up and started placing tiny kisses all over his face as she whispered words of love to her son. She cried as she held her son for the first time since finding out that he was hers and Julian's.

Julian watched his little boy crying in his mother's arms, anger at that the man had tried to do to them both. He turned away from his family and looked down at the man that had threaten to take it all away and with a firm hand he fired one finally shot right between Valentine's eyes making sure that he was truly dead. As Julian started walking towards Alexis and his baby he heard an explosion go off causing the mansion to start shaking.

"Sweetheart, give me the baby" he said even as he reached for the little boy. "Come on" he said grabbing her hand and pulling her so that she was behind him, Jax bringing up the rear. Julian watch as debris started falling all around them the foundation struggling to stay together as they ran up the stairs.

"Mom" Sam yelled as soon as she saw Alexis. She ran towards her throwing her arms around her quickly even as Julian pushed them gently to keep them moving towards the opening. Julian could feel the debris falling as he tucked the baby's head into the crook of his neck to protect him. His heart was threatening to shattered as the three most important people in his life fought to stay alive.

"This way" Sam shouted "We can get out this way" She waved at them to hurry as she waited at the opening.

"Sam, wait" Jax shouted from the back.

When Julian and Alexis whipped around. Jax explained "We don't know who is out there we have to be careful."

Julian realized he was right, he kissed his son's head before turning him over to Alexis. He pulled his gun out and looked out making sure that there was no further danger lurking outside waiting to take his family away from him. He peeked out and had no chance to take stock of the situation as rapid gun fire came at him from various directions. He felt as a bullet hit his shoulder, it hurt like hell but he gritted his teeth against the pain, and started returning fire.

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Jax felt the splinters hit him on the face as the door shattered from the firepower directed in their direction. He heard Alexis scream for Julian when she saw him reel back when he was shot. But the man acted as if nothing happen as he continued to shoot out at the brush that Valentine's men were hiding in.

Jax had felt the same anger and disgust as Julian had when he had seen that animal force himself on Alexis. It angered him that the Cassadines, who had already taken so much from her, had been about to take away so much more. He had seen the little boy that Alexis now held protectively in her arms and smiled somewhat at how much he looked like the perfect combination of Alexis and Julian. Jax was not sure what traumas the little boy had suffered, throughout his short little life, but he knew that from now on his mom and dad would make sure that he had the happiest childhood any little boy could ask for. And Jax would be damned if they all died trapped in this hell hole. He couldn't see an opening and was about to run out and draw fire away from them when he noticed that someone was already picking off Valentine's men one by one.

He looked towards where the shots were coming from and saw his brother anchored to a tree, his rifle shooting continuously and hitting its mark. "Jerry" he chuckled to himself astounded and happy to see that his brother was alive. He knew that he brother was a psychopath and that he had hurt the people he loved, including Alexis, but he loved him just the same. He saw as the men, now sensing they were outnumbered, started running away. They waited until Jerry gave the all clear and walked out of the still falling building towards safety.

"Okay lets go the jet should be waiting for us." Jerry ordered as he turned to the Jerome family, who were huddled together wrapped in Julian's arms. Jax turned to his brother and saw something in his brother he didn't really believe was in him in anymore. Love. He saw love, hurt and longing as he watch Alexis nuzzled into Julian's arms seeking his comfort and strength.

"Enough of the family bonding darling" he stepped forward interrupting the family. "We have to get out of here before another crazy relative of yours decides to take you" he said attempting to hide the hurt of seeing Alexis with Julian. Without another word he turned and started walking in the direction of where Nicholas was waiting with the plane leaving the other with no choice but to follow.

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Julian was sitting in the bedroom of the Cassadine plane. Nicholas had insisted Alexis and the baby take the room. Julian was pretty sure he wasn't part of the equation but he wanted someone to dare and try and keep him away from Alexis or his baby. He was laying on the bed gazing down at the little boy that he had just found out was his and Alexis's.

Julian held his son's hand and marveled at how tiny and perfect his little fingers were. He tried to blink back the tears threatening to fall as he thought back to what his life had been like only a year ago.

A year ago he had only himself to think about and now he had three biological children, Alexis's two daughters, that he loved just as much as if they were his own, and Alexis herself who he loved more than life itself. He smiled as he realized he had never wanted to be without Alexis, before they found about their baby boy, and now that they had a minor child to raise he had to do something about convincing her to make it more permanent between them. He smiled as he thought of ways that might help convince her to become his wife. Kissing, cuddling, and lots of sex would be involved he was sure of it.

"What are you smiling about" he heard her ask as she walked out of the shower. He turned and his breathe left him at the vision in front of him. She was standing wrapped up in only a white towel as she looked past him her gaze on their little boy.

"Our son" he smiled. As she walked over to him he sat up moving so that his feet where on the floor so that she could stand in front of him. As soon as she was close enough to him he reached out and grip her hips pulling her gently to him so that he could lay his head gently against her stomach.

"Aren't you concern about how he came to be" she asked concern in her voice. He felt her stiffen with worry about all that they still didn't know about how their baby had come to be or what kind of medical repercussions he could have from the way he was created. They had no idea if he had been kept frozen, if they had used a surrogate. They knew nothing of how he had come to be, they only knew that he was theirs.

"Sweetheart" he said gently trying to soothe her fears as he pulled her down on his lap. He hands twitch as the towel she was wearing rose higher showing more of her legs as she sat on his lap. "Sweetheart, we will take him to Patrick and Robin and have him checked over to make sure that there is nothing wrong with him." He turned to their sleeping baby and laid a hand gently on his soft belly "But look at him" he said leaning his head on her shoulder and placing a gently kiss on her still wet skin. "He is perfect".

He looked at his son and then at the woman who he loved with all his heart. She could not possibly know how much losing her would destroy him and their family. She was the axis her family surrounded and without her they would survive because Alexis had raised her daughters to be strong but they would always be aware of what they had lost.

He knew he would have gone but he would have become a shell of the man she had helped him become. He had been honest with her when he told her he had never loved anyone like he loved her. And every day he spent with her he thanked God that she was able to see beyond all his faults and still love and accept him. He lifted his hand to gently turn her head towards him and started kissing her, one hand slipping under the towel and caressing the inside of her thigh. He started laying her down on the bed needing to feel her soft body alive and vibrant under him when he felt her smile against his lips.

"What is it" he asked confused.

"I think you are forgetting that we are not alone" she laughed as he turned to look where she was pointing and he saw the same amazing big brown eyes that he saw when he looked at Alexis looking back at him. His little boy, apparently had the worst timing in the world, and had chosen to wake up at that very moment and was watching his parents with open curiosity.

"Hi sweet pea" she cooed at the little boy even as she pulled the towel higher to cover herself. Julian held her by the waist refusing to let her off his lap. She pulled her baby into her arms cradling him to her chest. Julian watched how natural she was with him causing hi heart overflowed at the image of Alexis and their son. He placed a hand on his baby' belly as he placed a soft kiss on Alexis's lips.

"You know we have to name him before 'sweet pea' sticks" Julian joked, charmed by how this women, who had been hurt so much, was capable of giving so much love. "How about Alex, after his momma." Alexis whipped her head around to look at him and then back to the little boy in her arms.

"What do you think sweet pea" she cooed causing the baby to smile at them.

"I think he likes it" Julian proclaimed as he kissed her once more. Alexis knowing just how easy it was for Julian to forget that there were other people around when he started touching her made to get up only to be pulled back down once more.

She smiled against his lips and pulled away as she handed the newly named Alex to his daddy. "How about my two guys go out and get something to eat while momma gets dress" she said as she climb off Julian's lap and walked back into the bathroom to get ready.

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Sam sat on the couch with Nicholas, leaving Jax and Jerry to co-pilot the plane. She was worried about what had happened to her mom while in captivity and she was curious about her new baby brother but she knew that her parents needed some time alone. Sam was just thankful that she had thought to bring an overnight bag for her mom so that she was able to get out of the bloody wedding dress she had on when they had rescued her. Just as she was about to get up and start pacing she heard the door open and she saw her dad walk out with her baby brother.

A second was all it took Sam to realize what kind of father Julian would have been. His arms surrounded the baby protectively and he talked to him letting him know exactly what they would be doing and where "Momma" was. Julian raised his head and looked at Sam giving her a big smile.

"Sam" he said as he turned to his daughter extending an arm to her. "come and meet your baby brother Alex" he said with a big smile as he introduced the two siblings.

"Ah dad he is beautiful" Sam gushed at the little boy who was looking up at her with the soulful eyes of her mother and the grinning smirk of her father. "He is going to be a real ladies man" she joked

"No son of my is ever going to be a ladies man." came her mother's amused voice from behind her.

"That's right." her father agreed "Our little man is going to be a one women man just like his daddy" he smiled as he wrapped an arm around Alexis bringing her closer to him and placing a gentle kiss on her.

Alexis knew would be a lot of healing that would be happing in the next few months but having her family around her would help her heal in more ways than one and as she looked at the little boy in Julian's arms she thought that maybe it was time to ask Alex's daddy to become a more permanent fixture in their lives. Julian was always surprising her maybe it was time she surprised him.

***Finally finished. When I started this story I thought it was done but once I posted the first chapter I realized that I had to make many changes to it to make it more interesting. This is the longest story I have ever written and I thank each and every person that read it and especially those that were kind enough to review. I have an epilogue written that I just have to make some revisions on. Please let me know if your interested in reading it or if I should leave this story as is. Thanks*****************