Stronger Than Pride – Chapter 28

Alexis knew she needed to calm down. So, she tried to picture the things that gave her joy. She remembered Sam in the Chloe Morgan bridal gown she found on her honeymoon with Jason. It fit her like a glove and she was absolutely beautiful. Lucky's face lit-up like a light bulb when he saw her. Kristina was the most perfect flower girl in the whole world. Five minutes into the reception, Kristina was inconsolable about Sam getting married, until her Papo asked her to dance. She tried to focus on the image of Jason dancing with Kristina, but her mind always morphed the image into that of a jail cell slamming in front of Jason.

The doctors had already told her that an emergency c-section would be necessary. Even still, she needed to calm down. And she'd tried every deep breathing exercise she could think of to get there. In the back of her mind, she could hear Sonny telling her to breathe like he did in the old days. Curiously, her anxiety attacks had ended with the termination of their once close friendship. Somehow, over the last several months she'd seen the return of her best friend and it made her feel whole; and Jason was the only husband on earth who would understand. Now, she was here alone without either of them.

"Hello, earth to Alexis." Diane drew her back from her dazed state. She'd been there since Sonny called hours before. Diane told her that she was unable to reach Sam, who'd probably already left on her honeymoon. "Sweetie, you simply have to calm down. Jason will be fine, Alexis. You know him. He can take care of himself."

She knew Diane was right. Jason could take care of himself. But for how long would he have to? Would he miss out on not only the birth of his child but on most of his or her childhood as well? "Why aren't you at the PCPD with him?"

"Sonny told me he would take care of it."

"Did I miss the part where Sonny started practicing law?" She knew she was irritated and she was taking it out on Diane, but she couldn't help it.

"I will be out of here as soon as either of my clients let me know that I am needed. Until then you are stuck with me." Diane patted her hand.

Monica entered the room wearing a bright smile. "Are you ready to bring my grandchild into the world?"

"Not really?" She bit her lip. "It's too soon."

Monica took her by the hand. "Alexis, you're 34 weeks along. You can deliver with very few risks to the baby." Monica eyed her heart monitor. "In fact, fewer risks than if we play wait and see with your blood pressure. Have you called Jason?"

Alexis felt the tears begin to stream down her cheeks. "I don't think Jason is going to be able to make it."

"What could be so important that Jason would miss the birth of his child?"

"Nothing."

Alexis could barely believe her eyes: Jason was standing in the doorway. It was midnight, and after six hours in lockup, he looked like death warmed over. Still, his unexpected presence was as beautiful to her as an oasis in the midst of a desert. "You're here."

"Yeah, thanks to Sonny."

"Sonny?"

"I'll explain later." He moved to her side and began to stroke her hair. "Are you ready to meet our baby?"

"I am now."

"Jason, you need to get scrubbed." Monica said, before signaling to a couple of orderlies in the hallway.

"I will. I just need a word with Diane."

Alexis tried to hear what Jason and Diane were saying, but their voices were too hushed and the orderlies moved too quickly. What seemed like an eternity, but was only an hour later, Alexis looked on, as Jason held up their 5 pound 4 ounce, mostly bald and covered in birthing goop, bouncing baby boy.

"We have a son. "

She watched as he handed their boy back to her doctor. He was so quiet that she worried something was wrong. Finally, she heard a soft wail that made her heart feel full enough to burst. Soon, they handed their boy to her. She counted his ten fingers and his ten perfect toes. He was absolutely beautiful with his tiny hands balled tightly into fists. She touched the soft skin of his cheeks. "Hi baby, I'm your Mommy. "

Later, that morning she awoke to the sight of Jason cuddling their boy who was wrapped tightly in a soft blanket. Immediately, she began to smile. "What time is it?"

"About 2 a.m. " He walked to her side and handed her their boy.

She fell in love with both of her men all over again. Jason kissed her on her forehead and she patted his cheek. "If someone would have asked me if this was possible, you and me as a couple with a family, I would have told them not a chance."

She couldn't stop smiling.

"Me either." He smiled. For a time, it had seemed more likely that they would be arrested for a bar room brawl. "You feel up to company?"

"We have company at 2 a.m.?"

"Yeah, family can visit beyond visiting hours. Sam and Lucky are outside. Carly and Jax are too. "

"Sam's here?" The revelation nearly brought tears to her eyes. "I thought she'd already left on her honeymoon."

Jason dropped his head and for a moment, she could have sworn he was blushing. "It seems one of them finally checked their messages. They don't leave until tomorrow."

"Wait, did you say Carly is here? How did she get in?"

"She reminded the staff that she was technically your niece."

"By marriage and for like five minutes. Unbelievable. I think that feels worse than the surgery." She sighed with exasperation, although she really wasn't angry. "Where's Sonny?"

Jason's response was silence.

"Jason?"

"Diane wasn't able to get a bail hearing scheduled until this morning."

"What's he doing in jail?"

She watched as Jason pushed out a breath of air. It was something he did before he engaged in any difficult conversation. "Sonny confessed to killing Jerry. It's the reason I was able to be here with you."

"He did what? Jason you can't let him do this. He can't go to prison for something…" The last thing Sonny needed was to be locked in a cell dealing with his own personal demons so soon after Michael's death. He'd managed to keep it together so far, but she was certain there was only so much he could take.

"I know. " Jason cut her off before she could say more. He combed his fingers through her hair, which calmed her. "We'll take care of everything later."

She nodded. Jason didn't make promises he couldn't keep. They would take care of everything later. Now was the time to focus on their boy. She brushed the blonde fuzz atop of the baby's head. "What do you think we come up with a name for this little guy?"

"I know we only talked about names for a girl, but I think I have an idea for a name for a boy."

"Me too. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

Jason kissed her forehead. "Deal."

Now hours later, their baby lay sleeping in the baby warmer next to her bed. She was sure he was exhausted from the attention he'd received from Carly alone. If she'd doubted which of his parents her boy looked like, after witnessing Carly's newfound obsession, she knew it was Jason. In fact, she wouldn't have released him if Sam hadn't pulled rank.

She was alone again. Jason had gone home to shower, change and pick up the girls. It was nearly 10 a.m. and she began to wonder how Sonny was doing and whether he'd been released. A few minutes later, the answer peeked through the door.

"Hey," Sonny's voice was soft.

"Sonny…" She smiled at him. He looked no worse for the wear. It was obvious that he'd gone home and changed. "Diane was able to get you released!"

"Did you doubt she would? She's the second best attorney in Port Charles." He shoved his hands in his pockets as he peered into the baby warmer.

For a moment, she remembered she was furious with him. He'd confessed to a murder he didn't commit, which meant he put Kristina, Molly and Morgan at risk of losing a father or father figure in Molly's case. "What in the world possessed you to confessing to Jerry's murder? Why would you do that?"

"Because I once promised you that this little boy would be born into a family with two parents. Will you trust me if I tell you not to worry? I don't plan on going to prison for the rest of my life…and I fully intend to be a part of my daughter's life."

She'd seen Sonny determined before, so she didn't argue. "Well, I want you to know that I fully intend to help you out of this and I won't take no for answer." She watched as Sonny tilted his head to the side. She could tell he planned to fight her on her involvement in the case against him, but she couldn't care less.

"So, what's the little guy's name?" He picked the baby up and carried him to Alexis.

First, she looked at the baby and then at Sonny. "Jason and I wanted you to always know how much you mean to us. You made sure Jason could be here for his son's birth. So, we agreed that he should be named after you and after the gift you gave us when you confessed."

"His name is Michael?" Sonny frowned a bit.

"No, there will only be one Michael Joseph Morgan…later Corinthos. This little guy's name is Joseph…Joseph Chance Morgan. You gave Jason and me a chance to beat this thing with Jerry and a chance to be with this little one and we'll always appreciate it."

"Hey Joey," Sonny's voice cracked a bit as he peered over the little one. "I'm your Uncle Sonny. You were named after me, which means it's my responsibility to look after you. I promise you I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure you grow up with both your mommy and your daddy."

Alexis looked at the little boy's features. He was the spitting image of Jason. Monica had been the first to notice, having used her clout to be with her grandson no more than fifteen minutes after he entered the world. Joey was rapidly becoming one of the great loves of her life. How was it that she'd once considered not having him? Sonny had helped her away from that decision too. Once more, her friend was by her side, helping her through the rough spots.

Jason walked in with their youngest girls in tow. Sam reappeared a few minutes later. As Alexis looked at her family she knew there would be bumps ahead, but she had an unshakeable feeling that someday everything would be okay.