It had been a week since Lulu found out she was pregnant and she had decided that keeping a secret like this from Johnny would make her a hypocrite. She had yelled at him about secrets, so she wasn't going to keep any.
She made her way up to Sonny's front door. She had no idea how to find Johnny, but Claudia was her best bet. That in its self was a bad thing for Lulu. No doubt Claudia knew all about Lulu leaving Johnny and probably blamed her for him skipping town. Lulu had blamed herself at first, but soon remembered that Johnny had ruined everything, not her. If he had been honest, they would be together and happy and planning for a baby.
But they weren't. They were apart and she was miserable.
Max let Lulu in and she asked for Claudia. She was taken to the living room and before long Claudia came down the stairs.
"I've been waiting for your visit. I can't believe it took this long for you to want to see my brother," Claudia said.
"Do you know where he is?"
"No. He left me a message the day he left. He came to Sonny and claimed all responsibility for Michael and then left town. I knew that something had happened between you two because he wouldn't leave unless he lost you."
"How could you let him do that? You are just as responsible for Michael as he is. Sonny will have him killed and what? You just go on being Sonny's wife like your brother never existed? Johnny never saw you for what you really are, but I do. And even I couldn't have seen this coming," Lulu's said.
Lulu's passionate words in defense of Johnny surprised her. The fact that Claudia would so willingly let him die for her was horrible, even for Claudia. Lulu did not want her child growing up without a father and she wasn't going to let Claudia get away with it.
"I have to let Johnny run and stay here to protect him," Claudia began. "The closer I am to Sonny, the more likely it is I can prevent Johnny's death. And if I don't, I will tell Sonny the truth."
The doors to the living room opened just as Claudia spoke the last words. Lulu and Claudia both looked at the door. Sonny spoke slowly and clearly.
"What truth do you need to tell me, Claudia?"
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Claudia was thinking fast. How could she explain this to Sonny? What would be a good excuse for Lulu and her keeping a secret from Sonny? Obviously to do with Johnny, but she couldn't let Sonny think that she knew where Johnny was. Suddenly, it came to her.
"Lulu's pregnant," Claudia said quickly.
Claudia looked at Lulu who had a look of horror on her face and begged with her eyes for Lulu to play along.
"I can't believe you told him. I asked you not to," Lulu stated.
"Lulu, this is the best chance for you to get what you want," Claudia said before turning her attention to Sonny. "She wants you to quit chasing the father of her child. She doesn't want anyone to know about the baby before she can tell Johnny, so she asked me to convince you to leave him alone."
"Why would Lulu tell you about the baby then?" Sonny asked.
"It was the only way she would agree to help me. Plus, I was sure she knew where Johnny was and I thought if I told her the truth, maybe she would help me get in contact with him. But she doesn't know where he is," Lulu answered.
"Why would you ever be afraid to come to me with something? You know I would only want to help," Sonny said.
"But you hate Johnny. After everything that happened with Michael, I thought you would tell me I was better off without him," Lulu answered.
Claudia watched in amazement as Lulu talked her way out of Sonny's suspicion and saved her from Sonny's wrath as well. Lulu was helping her and now Claudia needed to help Lulu.
"Sonny, I know you want someone to pay for Michael, but maybe it should be me. I should have guided John more and kept him from placing that hit on you, but I didn't. I was too concerned with getting rid of Trevor to keep tabs on John and your son paid the price. Everyone is responsible in some way, so why not punish me?" Claudia said.
"I'm not going to punish you," he started. "Or Johnny. I've tried to track him long enough and come up empty. I'm not going to waste anymore time on it. But Lulu, if you do find him, don't let him hurt you again."
"I won't Sonny," Lulu said. "Thank you so much."
Lulu gave Claudia a quick glance and then left. Claudia couldn't help but to think that the two of them made a good team. She also wondered if Lulu would be back. She quickly shook her thoughts and turned her attention on Sonny.
"Thank you for that. I know she must have been scared to come to me. And she needs John. For the baby and for her. I could see it in her eyes," Claudia said.
"I did it for you too. And for me. It's best if I just let all of this go," Sonny stated firmly.
Claudia smiled and moved to give him a quick kiss. He surprised her by pulling her in for a hug. She hugged him back and breathed a sigh of relief.
Johnny could finally come home.
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The first thing Lulu felt after leaving Sonny's house was relief. No matter what Johnny had done to her, she still could not fathom living in a world where he did not exist. Knowing Johnny could come home safely was comforting considering her pregnancy.
The second thing she felt was confused. Why did she want Johnny so much right now? He had no more experience being a parent than she did and would be of no help. And the fact that she had no idea where he was didn't help either. She sat down on the docks and began to cry.
She heard someone approach her and she looked up to see Spinelli standing there. She hadn't spoken to him since the night she found out about Johnny and Maxie and discovered that he already knew. He looked at her and she immediately stood up and pulled him into a hug.
"Blonde One? What plagues you?" asked Spinelli.
"I can't tell you Spinelli. I just need to be alone," Lulu answered.
Lulu backed away from Spinelli, but she knew she was lying. She wanted to tell Spinelli the truth. Talk to a friend about all of the crazy things that had happened to her in the last month and a half.
"Fair Lulu can tell the Jackal anything. He will lend a listening ear to the Blonde One in her time of need."
Lulu thought about everything. Maybe telling Spinelli would give her some peace of mind. Help her sort through the mess that had become her life and figure out her next step.
"I'm pregnant, Spinelli," Lulu started. "Johnny is the father and I have no idea how to get in contact with him to tell him. I talked to Claudia and she didn't know anything. I don't want to do this by myself. I am so scared."
"The Original Blonde One is more than capable of handling the duties of motherhood alone. She does not need the Mob Prince unless she has changed her mind about the Doomed Relationship," Spinelli said.
"I don't want to get back together with Johnny, but he does deserve to know about the baby. I can't keep something like that from him," Lulu said. "Do you think you could help me?"
Lulu watched Spinelli carefully. She knew as soon as she asked for his help that he was hiding something. He didn't want to help and she didn't know why.
"Perhaps the Jackal can assist Fair Lulu in another way. Tracking the Mob Prince has proved an insurmountable challenge for the Jackal."
Now Lulu knew Spinelli was lying. No one could stay under Spinelli's radar and Johnny was no exception. She decided it was best to let him lie and move on.
"No, it's okay Spinelli. I think maybe it's best if he doesn't know after all. I don't want him to feel trapped into coming back here. Even if Sonny isn't looking for him anymore," Lulu said.
"Mr. Sir no longer aims to seek and destroy the Fallen Mob Prince? Perhaps if news of this reaches him he will return without being summoned."
"Yah, maybe. Listen Spinelli, could you keep this quiet? You're the only person I've told and I want the news to come from me," she said.
Spinelli agreed and told her goodnight. Lulu walked along in thought and before she knew it, she was in front of the Haunted Star. She realized that even though telling Johnny may be the right thing to do, she was not prepared to see him yet.
Lulu walked into the Haunted Star and saw Ethan behind the bar. She decided to make small talk with him to get her mind off things. She needed a distraction in the worst way.
Anything to keep her from thinking about all of her problems.