Somebody Told Me … He Who Has Nothing to Die for Has Nothing to Live For.
You have to have a reason to live, to fight, to breathe. For Alexis, it was her children, justice, and Sonny. For Sonny, it was his children and Alexis and maybe one more thing. He would get there.
Abandoned Building, Port Charles:
"Georgie, I am ready to listen," Sonny said defeatedly. He was in a makeshift office in one of his buildings with Georgie. He stayed away from his usual haunts for fear of retaliation of sorts. He had increased the security around the kids, Alexis' house and most importantly, the hospital, despite Kristina's insistence that he stay away. He would stay away from her for now, but he would be damned if he didn't protect her.
"The explosions seem to be the work of TPTB,"
"Why now? I believed we were still in the negotiating phases,"
"I think they are sending you a message that they can hurt you, that they are powerful…"
"But, I thought they wanted my business."
"I think they are more interested in what it represents, that is a port of entry on the Eastern seaboard. They rarely ever use the same buildings or connections of the people they buy from."
"Mr. Corinthos, sell the property to us. It will be better in our hands than theirs. It will make Port Charles a safer place for your children," Georgie added, knowing full well that his children's well-being was the most important thing.
"Georgie, lay off the Mr. Corinthos and call me Sonny,"
"This is the right thing to do."
"Georgie, I know what it at stake. My little girl is freaked out that son of b**** is coming after her. I want him dead."
"You tried your best, we might have better luck. Once you agree to this, protection will be provided and you will have our resources at your disposal," Georgie negotiated.
"I will admit this was about revenge, but now I just want him found, so that I can convince Kristina that he will never hurt her," Sonny added, remembering his conversation with Alexis.
"Alexis, what the hell is happening?"
"Sonny, she is afraid. She cannot separate her fear of you and Keifer." He felt like he had been punched in the gut. To be compared to that boy who hit defenseless girls was too much to bear.
Alexis continued, "She saw you threaten Claudia…Sonny, I am going to ask you this once, where is Claudia?" She has been missing for a few weeks now." Alexis waited patiently for his response.
He had made a promise once that he would never let his business affect his family. He had made a promise that he would not involve the women in his life in his business. So, today, he told Alexis the truth.
"I did threaten her. I found out that she was behind Michael's shooting. I lost my temper. I said a few things that I don' t regret, but I swear to you I didn't touch her or hurt her. And, I, definitely didn't want Kristina to see that."
"So, you just let her go. No revenge," Alexis asked doubtfully. They had come a long way in the last few weeks, but there were still parts of him that he couldn't shed. He was hurt by her question, but he couldn't blame her. She had always been honest with him. She had always expected more of him.
"Yeah, I let her go or rather, Johnny Zacharra stepped in. We worked something out. He didn't want his sister dead and I couldn't bring myself to do anything," He looked at a frowning Alexis and continued, "It was my fault. I couldn't blame others for my mistake. I was the target. The bullet was meant for me. If I had focused on Michael and his protection, this would not have happened. It was my fault. Alexis, Claudia left town, in one piece. I swear to you."
She walked closer to him and embraced. "I needed to hear that," Alexis told him truthfully. "And I think Kristina needs to as well. She will come around." That was his fervent wish that his children would be able to count on him.
"Sonny, are you listening?" He was brought back from his musings.
"Georgie, don't get me wrong I want to leave this. I would gladly sell it all to you for nothing, but you cannot promise me Keifer, dead or alive. Kristina is scared that he will come again and I can't promise her that he won't and that scares me."
"Fair enough, Sonny. Maybe my boss can convince you. Will you at least agree to hear him out?"
Lakehouse:
Alexis had left Michael with Kristina and had come home for a few hours. Kristina was getting along well with everyone and they all took turns staying with her. It was more for Alexis' sake than Kristina's. She was glad everyone was pitching in and helping. It had felt like a family. Her heart was breaking to see the rift between Kristina and Sonny and she couldn't help blame herself.
Sam had also come home with Alexis. Alexis was concerned about Sam especially with Jason's death and everything that transpired after that. Her mind seemed to be occupied with other things. Alexis was about to find out about these things.
Sam finally understood what Michael said about talking to someone. He was talking to the Quartermaines, maybe it was time for her to talk to her mother about a few things.
Now that Kristina was on the path to recovery, her mother seemed to gain a new purpose, in getting Kristina back on her feet and getting their lives together especially Kristina's relationship with Sonny. It was here that Sam asked her mother the one question that had been on her mind for years. It seemed to have gained a renewed sense of importance with Jason's death, and Kristina and Sonny. It had taught her that life was short no matter what you do.
"Mom, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, honey. What's on your mind?"
"I have been meaning to ask you this for a very long a time and I wasn't sure I was ready for the answer or if you would be willing to tell me," Sam rambled.
"Honey, just ask," Alexis replied reaching toward Sam.
"Who was my father?" Sam asked bluntly.
Alexis looked at her daughter and tearfully smiled. She had waited for this moment for a long time, surprised that Sam had not brought it up earlier.
"Mom, are you okay? Is this too upsetting?"
"I am fine. I am glad you asked. I was wondering whether we would ever get to that point in our relationship. "
"I just wasn't sure," Sam replied tentatively.
Without missing a beat, Alexis started,"His name was Adrian. He was a cute boy from the neighbouring prep school for boys. I met him at one the school dances that were common to both our schools. He was shy. He also had come from Russia like me." She paused, thinking of Maxim and the times they spent together, "That was our common interest. We used to spend so much time together talking about Russian history, politics and books. His grandfather had wanted him to study in America, so he sent him here. He was an orphan too."
"Did you fall in love?" Sam asked curiously.
"He was my first love. Innocent, puppy love. He was one of the few good things in my life then. And he was the most normal guy I knew." Sam laughed at that. "Helena had made my life a living hell at home and Stefan was there to protect me, but outside of that, it was Adrian. He gave me a sense of belonging. We fell in love and a few months later I found out I was pregnant."
"He left you?" Sam asked
"No, honey, he didn't even know I was pregnant. A few weeks before, Adrian had found that his grandfather passed away. He was so distraught over that. He could not eat or sleep. His life was shattered by the news. His last bit of family had died. He wanted to go back to Russia to bury his grandfather, which he did, promising he would be back. He had said it I think more for his benefit than mine. It was a different time and he wasn't sure if he would be back and I wanted to believe he would. I waited and waited and a few weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. I was so scared. I was 16; Adrian was 17. We barely knew anything of the world. I tried to get in touch with Adrian, but I didn't know what to do. We made no promises to each other. We were just enjoying each other. When Mikkos found out that I was pregnant, he took me back to Greece and that was the last I had seen of my school and of Adrian."
"So, what happened to Adrian?" Sam asked tearfully
"I don't know. I never heard from him again. It was just one of those things. After you were born and taken away from me, I had a hard time getting myself together. For years, I couldn't do much for myself let alone look for Adrian." Alexis recounted the past with moist eyes. It had been a long time and she had never talked about Adrian before to anyone. "When I started asking for you, Mikkos told me you had died in a car crash and I believed him. There was nothing left to say to Adrian. Stefan stepped in," Alexis remembered her brother with a sad smile, "Stefan got my attention focused back on school, which helped. I went off to Yale and just never looked back."
"I am sorry, honey. You never got a chance to meet him. I didn't even get a chance to tell him about you. He would have adored you. He always wanted lots of kids, growing up with no family; he wanted to have one of his own."
"Do you have a picture of him?" Sam asked expectantly.
"I wish I did. I am sorry."
"Was he one of the good guys?"
"The best. I wish you could meet him." Sam was fully crying now and leaning into Alexis for support.
"Me too," Sam whispered through the tears. "Maybe I will look him up,"
"The last I heard he was in Russia. You know, when you were born, I insisted on naming you and I named you after your great-grandfather, Samuil. That was the name of Adrian's grandfather. That was all I could give you of Adrian. It was the happiest day of my life," she said stroking Sam's long hair. "I just couldn't give you the life you deserved."
"Honey, I have to ask you something too. I think I have given you enough space and time. How are you dealing with Jason's death?"
"I am fine," Sam said stoically.
"Samantha!"
"Mom, I'm okay. I always knew time with him was fragile. I think a part of me died with him even though we weren't together. I had loved him. He had taken me, no questions asked. He stood by me despite everything. But, I think what really took me by surprise were all these questions that I wanted answered about my past and the possibility of losing Kristina. I think it was just fear."
"It's okay to be scared. You will get through it and believe it or not, you will love again." Sam looked at Alexis like she had grown another head, "You always have more than enough love to give."