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Claudia woke early the next morning and slipped out of Sonny's bed. She pulled on her robe and went back to her room. She pulled out her suitcase and then opened her drawers. She stared at both for a long time before putting the suitcase away and closing her drawers. She got dressed and went downstairs. She poured herself some coffee and the doors opened.
"Johnny I said you can't go in there!" Milo shouted coming into the room behind her clearly troubled brother.
"And I told you I am here to see my sister," Johnny said in a determined tone.
"It's alright Milo," Claudia said smiling kindly at him. Milo nodded and reluctantly left the two alone.
"What was with yesterday?" Johnny demanded.
"Nice to see you too," Claudia sighed. "Johnny you made it pretty clear how you feel about me. You're right your life will be better without me in it. I'm trying to respect what you want, finally John, just be happy and leave it alone."
"Claudia I was upset I didn't mean half of what I said to you."
"Whether you meant to say what you did or not a lot of it was true. So, thank you for stopping by, but please, next time don't," Claudia said turning away.
"No, you know what Claudia I am sick and tired of your games. God you are so selfish and manipulative! Olivia was right you should go back to Italy and make every ones' lives better!" Johnny screamed his pain and anger fueling him on. Every word felt like a stab to the heart, but she couldn't blame him. She felt tears well up in her eyes and fought to control her emotions.
"Hey!" Sonny said from the top of the stairs. "You will not come into our house and disrespect my wife!" Sonny put a hand on Claudia's shoulder and she looked over at Johnny, a painful look in her eyes, and then disappeared upstairs.
"You don't know my sister like I do Sonny she's-"
"You know what I do know Johnny? That your sister is in a very dangerous place right now and you aren't helping. Milo!!"
"Yes boss?"
"Go upstairs and make sure Claudia's ok and watch her carefully."
"Got it boss," Milo said disappearing upstairs.
"Watch her? What is she some kind of prisoner now?"
"Johnny two nights ago I found your sister in the nursery with a gun! If I hadn't gotten there… You upsetting her is not helping!" Sonny raged his patience for Johnny gone. Sonny did not respect people who did not have loyalty. Claudia had stuck by her brother no matter what. She had sacrificed a lot for him and he was completely abandoning her.
"I want to take my sister back to my place," Johnny said. Despite how he acted he loved his sister and was very afraid of what might happen next if she stayed here. If she was truly suicidal all she needed to do was tell Sonny the truth.
"No," Sonny said shaking his head.
"She's my sister!"
"She's my wife! And right now I'm treating her a lot better than you are. Claudia stays with me."
"Fine. Can I at least go say goodbye?" Johnny asked. He would choose his battles. Sonny nodded and Johnny went upstairs. Sonny poured himself a drink and sat down. Johnny was quickly becoming a problem that Sonny wanted solved.
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Claudia heard the door open and continued to stare out the window. She was in no mood to talk to anyone.
"I'm sorry," she heard Johnny say. He put a hand on her shoulder, but she stepped away. Johnny sighed. "I love you Claudia and I am not going anywhere, I'll see you tomorrow," he kissed the back of her head and left the room. Claudia fell to her knees and cried.
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Sonny found Claudia on the floor her knees pulled up to her chest. She was not crying now, but her eyes were red and her face was wet. Sonny sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into an embrace. Her resolve broke and she ended up crying again. This time however Sonny was there to make her feel safe and comforted.
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Ric walked back into his brothers house smiling. It had been awhile, but he was back and he wanted to pick up where he left of , starting with getting Claudia and forcing her to have another paternity test. He had missed controlling her, being able to do whatever he wanted to her and she had to take it. Otherwise she was dead. Oh yea, it was good to be back. He heard someone on the stairs and turned around. Sonny was leading Claudia down the stairs holding her hand as she chatted happily.
"You promised you would take me to dinner tonight, come on please," Claudia said smiling. Her smile dropped when she saw Ric. Sonny stopped too and looked at Ric hatefully. Ric looked closely at Claudia and saw her flat stomach. He hadn't been gone that long. She was already showing when he left.
"Well," he said smiling sadistically. "I guess this court order for a paternity test is no longer needed," He said enjoying the heartbreak in Claudia's eyes and the fury in Sonny's.
"Get out Ric," Sonny said. "You should have stayed wherever you were. It was safer there," Sonny said pulling Claudia along behind him as he left the room. Claudia glanced at Ric before they left and he knew she was very clear on what his return meant.
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Johnny blew into the garage and started throwing tools. Olivia came in and shouted his name a couple of times before he finally stopped.
"What is the matter with you?" she asked sitting next to him.
"I went to see Claudia, I lost it with her again and then Sonny Corinthos defended her. I wanted to bring her back here and he tells me he's treating her better than I am. Can you believe him?"
"Johnny, you are not responsible for Claudia. She-"
"He found her in the nursery ready to eat her gun. I played a part in that," Johnny said guiltily. "She has always stood by me and when she needed me the most I bailed on her. Just like everyone else has her entire life. When my father met my mother he banished Claudia's mother to Italy. He kept Claudia just because he could and he treated her like dirt. My mother loved me, but she was in no way capable of taking care of me. Claudia was 8 when I was born and she still filled the role my mother couldn't. I forgot that because she was so different when she came back. She was still Claudia and sometimes I could see the sister I remembered, but other times it was like this cold, hard, bitch took her place. After the baby died the bitch seemed to take control and I didn't want to deal with that side of Claudia."
"Johnny you love your sister that's all she needs."
"She wouldn't even look at me when I went to say goodbye. I guess I thought that no matter how hard I lashed out at her she would always be there when I was done. I pushed too hard and now…" Johnny broke off his emotions drowning him.
"Johnny I love you and even though I don't like your sister you need her. I respect that so, keep trying. Show her how much you love her." Olivia said putting a hand on his shoulder. Johnny turned to her and smiled.
"Thank you."
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Johnny wandered into Sonny's the next day and saw Claudia on the patio. He started to go out and see her, but he noticed someone was out there with her. It was Ric Lansing. They seemed to be in an argument, so Johnny walked closer in case things got out of hand.
"You think Sonny actually might care for you Claudia?" Ric was saying. Claudia crossed her arms and looked at the ground. Johnny jumped when someone touched his shoulder. It was Olivia. He put his finger to his lips and she nodded.
"Ric I don't care whether Sonny likes me or not, but I will not be your on call whore again."
"You are a whore Claudia and you will do what I tell you," Ric said grabbing her arms and trying to kiss her.
"Let go," Claudia said turning her head and trying to pull away. Johnny was there in a second throwing Ric to the ground.
"If you value your life Ric you'll stay away from my sister!" Johnny shouted. He turned to his sister who was shaking. "Claudia?" he said concerned. Olivia moved closer to her and gently touched her shoulder. Claudia looked at Olivia and the devastated, fearful, and helpless look in her eyes nearly broke Olivia's heart and made her hate her a lot less. She grabbed Claudia's hand and led her back into the house. She stopped in front of Ric.
"You're a bastard," she said harshly.
"Threaten me all you want Johnny, but your sister will die if she doesn't do what I want. And if that doesn't inspire her to obey me your life sure will," Ric left and Johnny went back into the house. Olivia was sitting on the couch Claudia in her arms. Claudia was still shaking and she was still looking at the floor.
"I don't know what's wrong with her, I can't get her to calm down," Olivia said running a hand over Claudia's hair. Johnny walked over to them and kneeled in front of Claudia.
"Claudia, Ric is gone. He won't be back."
"Yes he will," she said in a tortured whisper. Before Johnny could respond Sonny walked into the room. Claudia launched herself into his arms seeking the comfort only he seemed to be able to give her lately. He held her to him looking questioningly at Johnny and Olivia.
"Your brother was here terrorizing your wife. You should really improve your security," Olivia said.
"I think it's time I took Claudia home," Johnny said. Sonny felt Claudia tense in his arms.
"No, I told you Claudia stays with me," Sonny said putting his arm around his wife and leading her up stairs. Johnny watched him and then turned to Olivia.
"Ric Lansing should have stayed where he was," Johnny said clenching his fists in anger.
"What does Ric have on Claudia?" Olivia asked already knowing the answer.
"What do you think?" Johnny asked. Olivia nodded. "Last time he was here he blackmailed my sister into sleeping with him and tried to get her to incriminate Sonny. Then he tells Sonny anyways, thank god Sonny didn't believe him. He even tried to pass her baby off as his. With everything else going on right now this is the last thing any of us needs."
"We'll get through it," Olivia said smiling. Johnny nodded and followed her out.
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Sonny watched over Claudia while she slept. He could tell her dreams were anything, but pleasant by the way she kept tossing and turning. He wanted to wake her up, but felt that by waking her he would only be taking her out of one nightmare to put her in another. There was a knock at the door and Sonny went to answer it.
"Boss Michael's here," Max said quietly. Sonny nodded and left the room. When the door clicked shut Claudia opened her eyes. She slipped out of the room silently and ran to her room opening her closet and throwing her suitcase on the bed. It was time to go.
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Sonny came down the stairs and saw Michael waiting on the couch. He stood up when he saw his father.
"What's up bud?" Sonny asked hugging his oldest son.
"Just came to see how you and Claudia are doing."
"Better thanks. Claudia's sleeping."
"Oh is she still sick?" Michael asked.
"Sick?"
"Yea Morgan said she was sick."
"Oh yea she's doing better, but not really herself yet," Sonny said.
"She's not really sick is she? It's about the baby?" Michael asked. Sonny smiled. He forgot how good Michael was at reading a situation.
"Yea she's taking it pretty hard. When you were a little boy your mom had a miscarriage and she had a really hard time coming back from that. But your mom and Claudia are both strong. Claudia will pull through this just like your mother did."
"Well mom had people who loved her. This marriage is just a business deal right?"
"Well yes, but your mother and I weren't married or even on speaking terms most of the time when she lost the baby. Your mom knew she had to go on for you and Claudia knows she can't just give up."
"Are you sure?" Michael asked seriously. Sonny smiled confused.
"Why are you pushing this?"
"Because somebody should."
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Claudia listened to the whole conversation from the door leading from the kitchen to the living room. She was touched by Michael's concern, but it only made her feel more guilt at her part in his shooting. Tonight Sonny would know the truth.