Hi all,

Sorry this took so long. Anyhow, I hope you like it. If you do, please shoot me a reply and let me know. I'm trying to decide whether to continue the story. Take care.

K

Stronger Than Pride 4

Alexis peered into the water as it splashed against the docks. When she had awakened that morning her life seemed almost idyllic. She had a husband she loved, two adoring daughters and a scroungy orange cat named Tiger. While it was true, she had an eldest daughter from whom she was estranged she hoped for reconciliation.

In less than 24 hours, her life became a disaster. She'd found her adoring husband discussing a business partnership with the very woman who was partly responsible for his godson being in a vegetative state. Her youngest daughters were in a panic because Tiger had vomited and apparently was feeling ill. She supposed the good news would have been that her estranged daughter, Sam, had finally phoned. At least, it would have been good news if she hadn't discovered she was pregnant just before Sam called.

Once she learned she was pregnant, she decided she would embrace the good in her life. When Jason came home, she practically stripped him naked in the living room. She wanted, no, she needed to feel him loving her. And for a brief moment, everything was perfect...until Claudia showed up. Who knew how long she would have stayed if Tiger hadn't thrown up on her Jimmy Choo's? Gosh, she 'd really fallen in love with that little cat. She hoped he was okay.

Although she was furious that Jason brought Claudia in her home, he was wonderful with the girls and Tiger. He'd volunteered to take Tiger to the vet, so she could go wedding shopping with Sam, who'd called just as Claudia arrived.

When she arrived at the bridal store, Sam greeted her coolly, "Hello Alexis." Alexis, although it was her name, Sam hadn't used it in what felt like years. Their first moments were so awkward; she wondered why Sam had even called. But then something happened: Sam exited the dressing room. And she saw it: her daughter was going to make a beautiful bride, even if she was uniting her with Luke Spencer as family. Sam told her she and Lucky planned a June wedding. Alexis knew she'd be showing then, not to mention all the other things that could happen. She wondered if Sam would allow her to continue to be a part of her life. As the tears streamed, she heard Sam's voice.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"You're just so beautiful. Thank you for allowing me to see you...like this." She closed her eyes as Sam wiped the tears from her cheeks. She could tell her girl was fighting back her own tears as well.

"Well, get ready to see a lot more of me like this. I have 20 more hanging in the dressing room." Sam chuckled, evoking a smile from her in the process.

Alexis decided in that moment she would not tell Samantha about the baby if she could help it. She needed to repair their relationship. Selfishly, she wanted to cling to as many afternoons like this as possible.

Alexis never expected she would be pregnant; not again and not ever by Jason, even though he was her husband. They'd never even discussed the prospect of children. Why would they? Between the two of them they had two children under age four. The fact was, Sam had been engaged to Jason; yet, somehow in a strange twist of fate, she'd become his wife. Worse, Sam had struggled desperately to have Jason's baby only to learn she was barren. How could she tell her own child she had stolen her dream?

"Penny for your thoughts." She heard the familiar voice. When she turned to face him, she peered into the deep brown eyes with the endless lashes she'd once allowed to captivate her.

"I'm afraid I'd have to bill you triple, which is ironic because I haven't even started working for you again."

Sonny laughed, keeping his eyes fixed on her. She knew what he was doing: trying to read her. They'd examined each other for wear and tear a million times before, even though sometimes they were the very ones who'd caused the damage. "Trust me, I can afford it."

"I do trust you, Sonny." Her words were true. She did trust him. After everything, he was still one of her best friends. "I've just had a really bad day."

"Is that why you aren't answering your cell phone?"

How had he known?

Sonny pointed to his cell phone. "Jason. He called me ten minutes ago to see if I knew where you were. Sam dropped off your gloves when she realized you left them at the bridal shop. You ditched the guards?"

"I hate the guards."

"You need them."

"They remind me my husband is a mobster."

"Alleged mobster." Sonny dropped his head then flashed a dimpled-smile. "The guards keep someone from using you as a target to get to Jason."

"God-forbid I be the cause of violence in Port Charles. It goes without saying that I'd never want to leave my girls without a mother, but I think I'd have to haunt Ric from the grave if he used the fallout resulting from my death as a reason to lock up Jason."

"So, you've heard about my baby brother, the new DA?"

"I saw the papers as I was walking home. He worked for Anthony "freaking" Zacchara until five minutes ago. How can he become the new DA?" The truth was she wondered how far Ric would dig into Jerry's death and how soon he would start. She and Jason should be able to protect each other by marital privilege. But what if Ric turned Max or one of the cleanup crew into State's evidence? She wondered if her baby, the fourth of four fathers, would be born in a woman's prison.

"You realize you worked for me before you became DA?"

"That's true, but Corinthos, don't ever be sensible when I'm trying to be outraged."

"Sorry." Sonny laughed.

As she wondered whether she should begin to memorize the details of her life as it was now, she noted the way Sonny's laugh illuminated his face. Perhaps she focused too hard because a moment later she felt light-headed and two moments after that Sonny kept her from a nasty fall.

He led her to a nearby bench.

"Alexis, are you okay?"

After a moment, she managed to nod.

He looked at her again, the way he had done earlier. "Does Jason know you're pregnant?"

His question caught her off guard. She wondered how he knew. Then she thought, it's Sonny, of course he would figure it out. Sonny was one of the most intuitive men she knew, except when it came to figuring out his own daughter's parentage. Her hands covered her face as she allowed an answer to slip out. "Not yet."

"When are you going to tell him?"

"I'll tell him when I figure out if I want to stay pregnant."