Somebody Told Me… Life can be summed up in three words. It goes on.
We try our best to control our lives so that we can believe that we have some power. Sometimes we succeed, but most of the time, life has plans of its own.
Patrick Drake was optimistic that Kristina would wake up in a couple of weeks. The first sign of any progress in that direction was the day Alexis and Sonny were surprised by the sounds of the machines hooked up to her.
According to Patrick, recovery and consciousness for coma patients occurs gradually. Kristina was awake for only a few minutes on the first day. She woke up confused. She wasn't sure where she was and she had trouble speaking. Alexis and Sonny watched in terror as their daughter struggled to gain consciousness, but they were relieved. However, that was short lived; Patrick had to warn Alexis and Sonny that even though Kristina was gaining consciousness there was a good chance of physical, intellectual and psychological difficulties.
When the news reached the others, they rushed to the hospital in record time. They were full of smiles and questions. Everyone was so excited and happy in that moment. Even though Kristina was unconscious, she had been responsive, even if it was only for a few minutes. Given the last few weeks, this was welcome news. Everyone insisted on sitting with Kristina. Over the next few days, she gradually improved, staying awake longer. She was still very weak and there were times when she was disorientated. She was gradually recognizing Alexis and Sonny.
Even though Kristina was gaining her strength back, she still wasn't able to speak, which was concerning to everyone. She would listen, and sometimes nod, but most of the time she seemed dazed, trying to take everything in. Patrick was optimistic asking everyone to be a bit more patient while he referred her to speech pathologist. Alexis and Sonny wondered whether she remembered the attack and what happened with Keifer. Even Mac wanted to question her, but had to hold off.
Everyone took turns sitting in with her and today, Michael and Morgan stayed with Kristina after school. They told her about what was happening in school and their lives careful to avoid talking about Keifer or Jason's death. They just wanted to focus on the happy memories which were few and far between.
At the Lakehouse:
"She's finally awake and now she can't speak. Why is this happening to us? Why can't I have my Kristina back? Why? Come on!" Alexis was pacing up and down her living room, talking to herself.
"We do have her back." She was so immersed in her conversations that she did not notice Sonny walk through her front door.
"It's not the same thing and you know it."
"Alexis, stop being negative, take this for what it is a good sign. This is the best thing we've heard in the last few weeks."
"I don't know how much I can take anymore," Alexis replied with tears in her eyes.
Sonny took Alexis in his arms as she laid her head on his shoulders and cried. She had held it in for too long and now she was letting it all out. She had been the rock for the last few weeks with Kristina in the hospital, Jason's death and when he had left her to grieve for this right hand man. He promised himself, at that moment, that he would always be there for her and this time he would keep his promise.
"Alexis, we can do this. You are a strong woman and so is our daughter."
"But, why, Sonny?" Alexis whispered in between sobs.
"Otherwise, it wouldn't be us. We don't do anything halfway. We go all the way, over the top," Sonny replied with a smirk. That earned him a smile from Alexis, who agreed whole heartedly.
"Bad thing happen, Alexis. Life goes on." They sat in an embrace for a while, enjoying the warmth of each other until Sonny noticed Alexis dozing.
"Why don't you go upstairs and get some rest, while I make some dinner." Sonny instinctively brushed his lips against hers and led her upstairs.
"What are you doing?" Alexis asked hesitantly, letting go Sonny's hand.
"I am tucking you in." Sonny replied flashing his dimples.
"Uh..umm…um … I don't think…."
"Everyone needs to be tucked in once in a while, Alexis," Sonny replied taking her hand once more in his.
As soon as Alexis's head hit the pillow, she was asleep. Sonny made his way downstairs towards the kitchen when he heard the front door slam.
"What's wrong?" Sonny asked
"I hate my drama teacher and I don't want to be Juliet anymore," Molly declared.
"Juliet?" Sonny asked confused.
"I was chosen to play Juliet in this year's Romeo & Juliet at school."
"That's amazing, Molly."
"No, it isn't."
"Why, Molly, it's a great play. It's my favourite."
"I know, star-crossed lovers and family feuds,"
"Yeah, right up your alley, Mols, what's wrong?"
"Hold on, you've read it," Molly asked incredulously, reminding him of Alexis.
"Yeah, Molly, I do read." Sonny replied pretending to be affronted. "It was my mother's favourite and she made me read and before I know it I had fallen in love with it. It was beautiful."
Molly sat there enthralled by this window into Sonny's life, a one she didn't know existed.
He continued, "I even took your mother once to see it once."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's your mother's favourite too. So, tell me what's wrong?"
"I don't know; Kristina is still in the hospital. I know she is awake, but I feel guilty that I am doing my thing and she is stuck there."
"Honey, you are just living your life. Just because Kristina is in the hospital, it doesn't mean everything stops."
Molly looked at him, with a look that said, mmhmm
"I know I am not the best example of following my own advice, but this is a great opportunity and you should be proud. I know Kristina is proud and happy for you. She would want you to do it. Besides, Kristina is awake and she will start talking soon. She's your mother's daughter, after all."
That got him a laugh from Molly.
"So, what's this about your drama teacher?"
"She said that I have been missing too many rehearsals and that the show must go on," Molly replied parroting her drama teacher.
"So, we'll make sure that you go to every rehearsal from now on, no matter what."
"Thanks, Uncle Sonny," Molly replied, hugging Sonny.
"Ready, dad," Morgan had come in with a catcher's mitt and a ball. He and Sonny were going to practice some pitches and catches in the backyard in preparation for Morgan's game. Morgan was on this year's school baseball team. They were on their way to the finals. The championship game was in two months and Morgan was counting on Kristina to be there with everyone else in the family.
"Yeah, let's go."
"Wanna come, Molly," Morgan asked.
"No, thanks, I have to run lines," she replied.
"You are doing it," Morgan asked.
"Yeah,"
"Good." Morgan was slowly becoming a man of few words, Sonny wondered.
"Have fun."
It had been a good afternoon. Sonny had enjoyed playing with Morgan. It had been a very long time since he genuinely spent time with his youngest son. He remembered the times he played with Michael, but that was in a penthouse, not a large backyard like Alexis'. He tried to forget his regrets and instead focused on Morgan and how quickly he was growing up. It seemed Morgan would be his last chance.
"Hey Dad!" To say Sonny was surprised would be the understatement of the year. Here was Dante calling him Dad and he sounded happy too. That had never happened before.
"Hi Dante," Sonny responded hesitantly.
"Can I talk to you?" Dante asked a little hesitantly as well.
"Sure," Sonny replied, not sure where this was going.
"I want to apologize for my behavior these last couple of months," Dante started but was cut off by Sonny, "You have nothing to apologize for. I understand."
"Let me finish, please, I need to say this or I might never say it again." Sonny let him continue.
"I am sorry for my rude behavior to you. I don't blame you for the past, but I am still not sure about the present and what you do. I will always struggle with that and for that, I will not apologize," he said determinedly. Dante was extending an olive branch and Sonny was going to take it no matter what.
"You have nothing to apologize for; I understand where you are coming from."
"That's still not an excuse for the way I acted," Dante replied ashamed of some of the things he said.
"I had a complicated relationship with my father. I finally understand him. I would love to start over," Sonny replied enthusiastically, enveloping Dante in his arms, "And hopefully we can build something better."
"I'd like that very much," Dante replied finally embracing his father.
"What made you change your mind?" Sonny asked curiously.
"I don't know. Kristina waking up, being part of this new family... I didn't want to have any regrets. But, I guess the main reason was Alexis,"
Sonny was surprised to hear of Alexis involvement, but after moment, he thought again, of course, Alexis would have a hand in this. She was always looking out for him. A relationship with Dante was what he needed and Alexis saw that.
"I didn't do anything. You're both stubborn. I just pushed you in the right direction," Alexis said, as she came down the stairs from her nap. She had slept for a couple of hours and now felt a lot better.
Before any of them could respond, the front door opened and a blonde woman dressed in a pant suit walked in.
"You forgot to tell me that your newly found father is Sonny Corinthos of Port Charles."
"Gianna!"
"Dante."
"Georgie!"
"Georgie?"