It had been a long day and the elevator ride up to her penthouse seemed to be taking forever. Alexis had finally managed to get caught up on the work she'd missed when she took off to be with Sam. It hadn't been as bad as she thought, but it had still be days' worth of extra work. There was a downside to having a solitary private practice, no lackeys to do the dirty work. As the elevator came to a stop Alexis' mind drifted to her bathtub full of hot water and bubbles, a hot cup of tea with a splash of something grown up in it, and a nice trashy romance novel. As she stepped off the elevator however her daydream deflated.
"Hey." Sonny greeted as Alexis stepped off the elevator. "I was hoping to catch you."
Alexis looked up at the dark man whose bodyguard was now holding open the elevator doors. "Please tell me you haven't done something stupid." She told him, which was rewarded with a dimpled smile that made her groan inwardly. "Because I'm really to tired to get you out of jail right now."
"See, that's why I like you." Sonny said as he continued to flash his dimples. "You're always watching out for me."
Alexis raised an eyebrow at him as she gave a slight shake of her head. "What do you need Sonny?"
Sonny motioned to Max who went into his boss' penthouse and returned a few minutes later with a wrapped gift. Sonny took it from him and held it out to Alexis.
"What's that?" Alexis asked as she eyed the package suspiciously. One never knew when something would blow up when it came to Sonny.
"I heard about your little girl." Sonny said as he continued to hold out the present. "I was a little hurt you didn't tell me yourself and that you haven't introduced us, but I forgive you." He flashed her another dimple deep smile. "I picked this up for her."
Alexis soften a little and returned her friend's smile. "You didn't have to do that. And it isn't just you I haven't introduced her too. I'm exposing her to Port Charles in slow doses."
Sonny shrugged when she said he didn't have to get the gift and then gave her a genuine smile when she took the gift. "You look happy, Alexis."
That got a genuine smile from her. "I am, Sonny."
"Good." He replied as he stepped into the elevator. He was still smiling as the door closed.
Alexis held the gift for a moment and then held it to her ear to make sure it wasn't ticking. She wondered what it was. Balancing the gift and her brief case she managed to get the door open. All her stress and fatigue melted at the sight that greeted her. Sam and Jax were on the couch watching yet another James Bond movie. There were take out boxes and soda cans littering the coffee table and a bowl of popcorn setting between them. She closed the door softly behind her and set her things on the desk as she watched them. Just as she knew Jax would always be in her life in one form or another, Alexis was absolutely sure that he would also be in Sam's. She smiled at the thought. She really couldn't ask for a better father figure for her girl.
Walking over to the sofa she leaned down and kissed Sam on top of the head, before kissing Jax on the lips. "I see you've moved into the Rodger Moore era."
"Yeap." Jax said with a smile.
"Jax bought me the books." Sam said as she pointed to the box full of books next to the coffee table.
"That was very nice of him." Alexis said brightly. "Did you say thank you?" When Sam nodded Alexis kissed the top of her head again. "Good girl." Being this close Alexis could see that the take out boxes weren't the normal boxes from her favorite Chinese place. These were from Jax's favorite place. "Jasper Jacks! What in the hell are you feeding my child?"
Sam beamed as she looked up at her mother. "Octopus! It's really good Alexis, you want some?"
Alexis couldn't try hiding the disgust on her face even if she tried. "No thank you sweetie." She glared at Jax. "Should she be eating that?"
Jax laughed. "It's not going to hurt her."
As if to make his point for him Sam took another piece of tentacle from the box and ate it. This caused her mother to shudder, which in turn caused Sam to giggle madly.
"You've corrupted my daughter with your nasty outback eating habits." Alexis said with a shake of her head and soft chuckle.
"Those are more my coastal easting habits then outback. Besides, she can't live off popcorn." Jax laughed. "And Ingrid has the night off."
Ingrid was Mrs. Lansbury's niece. Alexis had hired her to help out with the cooking, cleaning, and looking after Sam. Sam was not happy with the arrangement. The girl refused to accept the fact that she couldn't be left alone and needed a sitter. "Did you at least order something normal for those of us who eat normal food?"
"Its in the kitchen." Sam said as she paused the movie. Looking over her shoulder she spotted the gift sitting on the desk. "What's that?"
Alexis looked at the gift and then at Sam. For a moment she thought of not giving it to her. Sonny was her friend, but she still remained leery of him because of his life style. Though she was pretty sure he would never hurt her or her daughter, at least not on purpose anyway. That last thought scared her a bit. "It's a gift for you from Mr. Corinthos."
Sam jumped to her feet and rushed the desk to get the gift. "Why did he give me a gift?"
"Because he's my client and it's a polite thing to do." Alexis explained as she watched Sam examine the gift-wrapping. She shared a look with Jax before telling Sam, "Go ahead and open it sweetie."
"Ok." Sam said as she ripped off the paper. When she opened the box she found a hand held video game and a bunch of game cartages. "It's a Gameboy! This is awesome!"
Alexis just shook her head. Leave it to Sonny to go over board and buy an overly expensive gift for a child he didn't know as a way to get in good with her mother. "You should write Mr. Corinthos a thank you note, Sam, and I'll give it to him."
"Can't I tell him thank you myself?" Sam asked. It hadn't gone unnoticed that her mother tried really hard to keep her from running into their neighbor. And she knew that Alexis didn't like her watching through the peephole for more reasons than it just being rude.
"A note is the proper and polite way to do it." Alexis inform the girl. "Why don't you take your new game and books up to your room? You and Jax can finish your movie later."
"Ok." Sam said. She gather up her things and half way up the stairs she stopped and said, "I like the books better, Jax." Then she ran upstairs. It was her way of saying, "I like you more."
Jax grinned at that. He understood her meaning and that touched his heart. His grin brightened when Alexis came to the sofa and sat beside him, leaning into his body. He put his arm around her.
"How did you do that?" Alexis asked.
"Do what?" Jax asked in return.
"Get her to adore you in such a short amount of time." Alexis replied.
Jax's grin turned into a smirk as he teased, "Like mother like daughter?"
Alexis laughed until Jax leaned down and kissed her. He wrapped his arms around her as she pressed her body against his.
"Are you done making out yet?" Sam yelled from upstairs. "I wanna finish the movie!"
Alexis pulled back from Jax and blushed. Jax laughed as she hid her face in his chest. "Yes, come on down."
"Brat." Alexis mumbled into Jax's chest, which made him laugh.
"Her or me?" He asked as he rubbed her back.
"Both." She answered.
Sam came bonding down the stairs and took her place on the couch again. She wiggled herself in between her mother and Jax and then said, "Well, come on, start the movie already."
"So her mother's daughter." Jax teased.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Alexis asked.
"He's calling me bossy." Sam said as she picked up the remote and started up the movie again.
Alexis put her hand on her hip. "I am not bossy!"
Sam snorted. "Yes you are."
Jax just shrugged with a smirk on his face. He kissed Alexis and then went back to watching the movie with Sam. Alexis heaved a heavy sigh and went upstairs to change. She decided a night on the couch with Sam and Jax was a much better idea then a bath. The bath could wait. She was taking as many opportunities as she could to spend time with her daughter. Sam had relaxed a little over the weeks she'd been with Alexis, and she was getting close to Kristina and Jax, but the girl was still keeping Alexis at arms length. Alexis could understand why Sam was doing it, the girl was scared of being hurt, but it was starting to hurt Alexis a little more each day. They were both trying so hard but there was still something coming between them.
After the movie finished and their dinner trash taken care of Alexis looked over at Sam and watched her for a moment. She still had these moments of complete awe when she would see the beautiful little girl and realize she was hers. "Alright my little princess, it's time to get ready for bed. We have a big morning tomorrow."
Sam groaned. "Why do I have to go look at that stupid school?"
"Because you'll be attending that school soon." Alexis answered. "Now go upstairs and get ready for bed. I'll be up in a moment."
"I don't see why I can't go to public school." Sam grumbled before saying good night to Jax and heading upstairs. "Krissy gets to go to public school." She continued to complain.
Alexis just shook her head as she listened to the girl complain all the way up the stairs and down the hall.
"She has a point." Jax said. "There's nothing wrong with public schools."
Alexis pointed a finger at him and narrowed her eyes. He just held his hands up and chuckled. After putting Sam to bed Alexis waited up for Kristina who'd been out with her friends. The two stayed up and talked for a little while, Alexis trying once again to convince Kristina to go to her choice of school rather then PC High, but Kristina wasn't hearing it. The next morning Alexis asked her sister to come along to tour Sam's school but Kristina refused. The girl was convinced that she would get just as good an education at the public school as she would Madison Prep. Alexis was less convinced and figured her sister's desire centered more around her current crush then her desire to prove the worth of a public education.
"So what did you think?" Alexis asked Sam as they were leaving the school.
Sam shrugged. She'd never in a million years have pictured herself as a private school girl. Hell there had been times, even at ten, when Sam wondered if she'd even finish school at all. Part of her was kind of excited about the idea of school, even a snobby private school, but another part of her, a larger part was terrified, she wasn't really smart, at least not that kind of smart.
"I know it seems daunting sweetheart." Alexis said as they walked out to the car. "But you'll be fine. We'll do whatever we need to make sure you're caught up and comfortable." She gave her girl a reassuring smile as they met up with Ingrid who was waiting for them in the parking lot. Alexis heard Sam groan and sighed inwardly. "I need to go into the office, Sam. Why don't you and Ingrid have lunch at Kelly's before heading home?"
"Fine." Sam said. She let Alexis hug her and then climbed into Ingrid's car. Sam liked the young woman well enough. Ingrid was nice and she made really great food, and she could even be fun to hang out with, but Sam was ten, she'd been on her own for a long time, so she didn't need a nanny. She was feeling smothered and annoyed over this whole school thing, so she was a little grumpy, and she needed some space. When she was nearly done with her patty melt she looked up at the young blonde woman sitting with her and said, "I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back."
"Alright." Ingrid said with a soft smile.
The young woman never saw Sam slip out the back door. Sam loved watching the ships in the harbor so she headed down to the docks. As she descended the steps she saw the dark man from across the hall punching one of the rope covered dock pilings. He looked really upset and for a moment she thought of walking away, but she'd been really curious about the man and this was her first chance to see him up-close rather then through the peephole. "That looks like it hurt."
Sonny spun around at the sound of the voice, his anger rising, but then it died down when he saw it was just a little girl. He looked at her and then down at his bloody knuckles. "Its not bad." He said as he looked up at her again. He looked around to see if she were with someone but didn't see anyone. "You shouldn't be down here alone, kid."
Sam shrugged. "I can take care of myself."
She had this look about her that made Sonny smile. She looked like a kid from his old neighborhood, not the hair or clothes, but in her attitude and bearing. "Where's your mom, kid?"
"At work." Sam replied. "Probably working on something for you."
Sonny raised an eyebrow, really looked her over, and then smiled. "You're Alexis' daughter?"
Sam nodded. "Thanks for the Gameboy."
"Glad you liked it." Sonny said as he moved closer to the girl. "My name's Sonny by the way."
"Sam." Sam answered.
Sonny couldn't help but smile. "You're mother has no idea where you are does she?"
Sam shrugged. "I was with my…" She tried to think of a good word that didn't make her sound like a baby.
"Nanny?" Sonny offered. Sam made a face that made him laugh. "Yeah, you don't seem like the nanny type of kid."
"Could you tell Alexis that?" Sam said with a huff. "She thinks I'm some kind of baby."
Sonny shrugged as he said, "Well, you are her baby."
That made the girl groan. She looked down at his hands and then back up at him, "You're hands are bleeding."
"They're ok." Sonny repeated. "We should get you back to where ever you left your sitter."
"I'd rather watch the ships." Sam replied as she moved closer to the rope railings. The water was just so calming to her.
Sonny smiled. "You're mother is going to freak out if she finds out you took off."
"Alexis doesn't freak out." Sam said as she took a deep breath of the harbor air, and then walked over and sat on the bench. "She's a bit high strung but she doesn't freak out."
That really made Sonny laugh. "Clearly you haven't done anything to make her really…"
"Samantha Kristin Davis!" Alexis yelled as she came down the stairs.
"Freak out." Sonny finished with a knowing look.
Alexis stormed over to Sam and pulled her off the bench and into a hug before stepping back and asking, "What on earth do you think you're doing?"
"Talking to Sonny." Sam said honestly.
That's when Alexis noticed Sonny who was standing there smirking at her.
"We were watching the ships." He said as he did his best to hide his hands. There was no reason to send her into one of her breathing fits; he didn't have a paper bag on him.
Alexis narrowed her eyes at him before turning back to glare at her daughter. "You young lady are in so much trouble!" She gave her daughter a little push. "Lets go."
Sam shrugged and then gave a little wave as she said, "Bye Sonny. Nice meeting you."
"See ya around, kid." Sonny replied with a soft smile.
Sam sat on the couch and watched as her mother paced back and forth. For the first time since coming to live with Alexis, Alexis was actually angry with her. Sam was a little scared.
Alexis paced until she felt a little calmer and then stopped and looked at her daughter. "Why?" She asked simply. "Why on earth did you sneak off like that?"
Sam shrugged.
"No." Alexis said as she sat on the coffee table across from Sam. "No, Samantha, I want an answer. You scared the hell out of Ingrid, and me, and I want to know why?"
"I wanted to take a walk." Sam answered.
"You wanted to take a walk." Alexis repeated and then stood up and threw her hands in the air. She sighed, crossed one arm across her stomach and pinched the bridge of her nose with the hand her glasses were entangled in. She took a deep breath and then looked at her daughter again. "That was unacceptable, Samantha. You don't just sneak out and take off like that. I don't want you on the docks alone. I don't want you slipping out, or slipping away, or taking off. I need to know where you are, Samantha, I need to know that you're safe."
"I just went down to the docks!" Sam protested. "I'm not a baby!"
Alexis sat in front of the girl again and looked her right in the eyes. "You're a ten-year-old little girl. You're MY ten-year-old little girl. Those docks can be dangerous for adults, Samantha; I don't want you down there alone. I know you're use to taking care of yourself, but that's my job now, to take care of you, to protect you, and to teach you that there are rules, and that when you break those rules there are consequences." Alexis didn't falter when Sam looked at her with a daring look. "You're grounded Samantha. Two weeks, no tv, no gameboy, no music, extra chores. Do it again, and it'll be a month."
"Alexis!" Sam protested.
"Don't Alexis me, Samantha Davis!" Alexis replied as she pointed a finger at her daughter. "Go to your room and stay put until dinner."
Sam sat there a moment glaring at her mother, and then yelled, "My name is Sam McCall!" Before jumping up and running up the stairs.
Alexis put her head in her hands and sighed.
Dinner that night had been quiet and tense. When Alexis went to say goodnight, Sam wouldn't even look at her, and the next morning when she went to check on the girls Sam was gone. "Kristina! Wake up! Where's Sam?"
"What?" The teenager said groggily.
"Sam?" Alexis repeated. "Where's Sam?"
Kristina sat up. When she didn't see her niece in her bed she frowned. The two of them checked the penthouse and couldn't find Sam anywhere.
"I was too hard on her." Alexis said in a moment of doubt.
"No." Kristina said with a shake of her head. "She's just not use to being punished. She's not use to having someone respond to her actions. She and Carly, they had to steal and cheat just to make it through the day…"
"Carly!" Alexis said, cutting her sister off. She kissed Kristina on the forehead and then took off. Fifteen minutes later she was knocking on the door of the brownstone. "Hi Bobbie. I'm sorry to be here so early but is my daughter here?"
Bobbie blinked in surprise. "I don't think so." She answered. When she saw the look on Alexis' face she said, "Lets check."
Sure enough they found Sam curled up in bed with Carly.
"I can't believe this." Alexis said as a wash of emotion flooded through her. "She left and I didn't even know it."
Bobbie put her hand on Alexis' arm. "What happened?" Alexis explained everything as she and Bobbie stood in the hall. Bobbie smiled sympathetically. "Alexis, you did the right thing, you acted like a parent. You were being her mother. It scared Sam and she ran to what was safe and familiar, Carly, give it time and you'll be the safe and familiar thing she runs too."
Alexis listened and sighed. She smiled at Bobbie and thanked her. Then she went into Carly's room. "Samantha." She said firmly as she gently rubbed her daughter's arm. "Samantha, wake up baby."
"Alexis?" Sam groaned and slowly opened her eyes.
"Hi baby." Alexis said as the girls came too. "Say goodbye to Carly my love. It may be awhile before see the light of day again."