"Nervous?"

Kristina avoids looking at Molly. There's a tension that sits with her, perched on her shoulders and pressing downward. Molly sits next to her in the office, a gentle hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Kristina?" Molly asks, eyebrows curved in concern.

The elder woman stays silent, trying to focus on the nameplate before her: Frida Navarro. She can't count the number of tests run, all the necessary probing and prodding that she found a bit too intrusive. The white sheets and bright lights slightly blinded her, dizzying her as she laid on her back at various angles.

She closes her eyes and tries steadying her breathing to find a sense of Zen, repeating a lone thought in her head to steady her apprehension: This is for Molly. This is for Molly. This is for-

"Hey," Molly says sweetly, shaking her sister's shoulder. Kristina looks her way, "Dr. Navarro's great; you have nothing to worry about."

"I have plenty to worry about," Kristina finally responds.

"Like what?"

"I mean, what if the tests come back and say I can't do this? What if Dr. Navarro says no because of a technicality? What if you don't get what you want because I can't give it and-"

"You sound like me," Molly giggles, "It'll be fine, Krissy. I mean, when there's a will, there's a way, right?"

"Right…" Kristina settles into the chair just as the door opens behind her. She whips her head around to see Dr. Navarro, black clothes under her white coat, a manila folder tucked under her shoulder, a soft smile on her face.

"Ms. Corinthos-Davis," the woman nods, "Mrs. Lansing-Davis."

"Dr. Navarro," Molly beams, watching as the doctor takes her seat, "Always a pleasure."

"What do they say?"

All eyes land on Kristina. Dr. Navarro frowns at the nervousness in her eyes, contrasting with the firm determination in her face.

"I'm sorry?" she asks.

"My, uh, test results," Kristina backs off, "What do they say?"

"Oh, well," Dr. Navarro opens the manila folder, pulling out a few sheets of paper, "the initial tests are promising."

"Promising?" Kristina sits up slightly.

"We see no abnormalities thus far. We're still waiting on a few more tests to come back, but if those results are good, then I think it's safe to say that you," she gestures towards Kristina, "are perfectly capable of carrying a baby to term with little, if any, complications."

"Good," Molly nods, "that's good."

A feeling of relief and sorrow flows through Kristina. There's no shortage of joy, and for the briefest of moments, the idea of being a mother to her own baby someday excites her. The thought leaves as soon as it comes, sadness crashing down as she looks Molly's way. She knows her little sister would never admit it openly, but deep down, every single word is killing her ever-so-slowly.

"So…" Kristina speaks up, "does that mean I'm approved to be Molly and TJ's surrogate?"

"Not quite," Dr. Navarro, "Physically, you can do it, but there's more to it. Having a baby also takes a mental and emotional toll, and considering you're the one carrying the baby, there is a chance you'll grow attached-"

"That won't happen."

Molly raises an eyebrow at Kristina's swift response. Dr. Navarro tightens her lips, glancing downward. Kristina freezes in place, taking in the moment she created.

"I…" she gulps, "I'm…I'm not going to get super attached."

"It happens with surrogates-"

"I get that, but…it's not my baby. I'm just carrying it. It's not half-me and half-someone else; it has no part of me at all. I can't get attached to something I have no tie to, y'know?"

Silence sits between the three women, Molly and Dr. Navarro exchanging glances before regaining a bit of their composure.

"Molly," the doctor breaks the silence, "is it alright if I speak with Kristina alone for a moment?"

"O-Of course!" Molly gets to her feet, gently squeezing Kristina's shoulder before leaving the office. The door clicks closed behind her.

"Kristina."

"Yes?"

"May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Why did you agree to be Molly's surrogate?"

Kristina blinks, her mind going blank. If anyone else asked, she'd give the answer she rehearsed enough to sound true. Dr. Navarro looks the woman over, waiting for a response. All she receives is more silence.

"Kristina?"

"I…" the woman clears her throat, "I was the one that offered-"

"Why did you offer?"

"...I don't want to see my sister in pain," Kristina's tone is firm the more she relaxes, "We've been through enough grief and pain in our lives, from losing family to losing love. Whatever happens to me happens, but Molly hasn't done anything to make the world hurt her. She's a good person with a good heart, and she deserves good things. She wants to be a mother, and I know her, and I know that she's going to give her child the best life he or she could possibly have. I want her dream to come true, and I'm more than happy to help make that happen."

Dr. Navarro stares ahead, mouth slightly agape. Kristina scans her expression, raising an eyebrow.

"...You love your sister," the doctor manages to get out.

"More than anything."

"You understand how much of a risk it is to allow you to do this, right?"

"I know I've never been pregnant, and yeah, maybe this will take a toll, but I'm willing to do anything for my family. Their happiness is everything to me. I'll do everything I need to so that my niece or nephew is healthy."

"I see," Dr. Navarro closes the folder, getting to her feet, "You've certainly given me a lot to think about."

"And?" Kristina asks as the door opens. Molly walks back in and takes her seat.

"Is everything okay?" she asks.

"Yes. Kristina and I…we needed to have a one-on-one moment, that's all, and she gave me a lot to think about."

"And?"

"And…" Dr. Navarro takes a deep breath, "it's a massive risk having someone who's never been pregnant be a surrogate. A number of things could go wrong-"

"But?" Kristina asks.

"...If you're truly willing to do this, and you're willing to take proper medical precautions, then I approve of you being Molly and TJ's surrogate."

The elation on both Kristina and Molly's face brightens the room. The girls leap to their feet, holding each other's hands and sharing each other's joy. Dr. Navarro grins along with them as they leave her office.

"Oh God," Molly squeals, "this is so great! I can't wait to tell TJ! Thank you, Krissy. I owe you. Truly."

Kristina grins as Molly skips off, approaching the nearby desk station. Her grin quickly drops, pressing the bottom button on the elevator. She feels that familiar dread creeping in the lower she goes, reaching the parking garage. She gets into her car, small and red, and proceeds to drive off. The sun begins to dip below the horizon, the golden hour filling her interior and striking her eyes. She only goes a few miles before her phone rings. She presses a key on the side of her steering wheel to answer.

"Hello?" she asks.

"Molly just texted me," Alexis's voice shoots though, "I guess congratulations are in order."

"Are they? Or are you going to lecture me?"

"I'm not going to lecture you. I…I realize I was too hard on you and your sister about the surrogacy. Granted, I still think it's a bad idea, and there's too many risks-"

"Is this an apology or…?"

"Yes, yes, let me finish, would you?"

Kristina rolls her eyes in response, flipping on her left turn signal.

"I was saying that, while I think what I do, you two are adults and it's your decision on how to go about this. I'll be in your corner as much as I can be."

Kristina pauses for a moment, "...Thanks Mom. I appreciate that."

"Molly told me how she's feeling about all of this, but how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, I'm feeling fine."

"Is that true?"

Kristina bites her bottom lip as she comes to a complete stop at a red light. She's quiet for a beat, carefully considering her word choice.

"Kristina?"

"I'm still here."

"Do you want to answer my question?"

"I already did."

"That pause makes me think otherwise."

"I'm fine, really. I feel fine…I have to feel fine, don't I? I mean, I offered to do this, I started this all off, so I should be okay with it."

"But are you?"

"I don't know," Kristina tightens her grip on the steering wheel, "It's just…I mean, I know pregnancy is a lot, and I know there's going to be a lot of challenges, and I'm willing to handle it all, but…I just…"

"You didn't expect your first pregnancy to go like this."

A spark shoots through Kristina, her body tensing up as she arrives at a nearby stop sign. The Harborview Towers sit in clear view a few blocks away. The car's quiet for a moment or two before Alexis speaks again.

"...Were you thinking about becoming a mother?"

Kristina's knuckles turn white against the steering wheel. A small lump forms in her throat.

"Kristina-"

"For a second."

Alexis is briefly quiet on the other end, "...Do you want to be a mother?"

Silence.

"Kristina?"

"...I have to go," Kristina pulls into the parking lot, "I'll talk to you later."

"Hey-" the line goes dead. Kristina turns her car off and steps onto the asphalt. She rushes through the lobby, pressing aggressively on the right button. She taps her foot impatiently until the doors open, making her way to her destination. Tony spots her turn the corner towards him and gently knocks on the door, opening it a few seconds later.

"Kristina?" Sonny raises an eyebrow. Dex leans forward from his seat on the couch, turning his head to his right, "Is everything okay?"

She looks between the two men, a firmness in her eyes that gradually softens, "Can we talk?"

"Sure," Sonny nods Dex's way. He slowly gets up, nodding at Kristina before going down the hallway. Sonny takes a seat on the sofa, patting down the spot next to him, "What's going on?"

Kristina sits down next to him, "I was approved to be Molly and TJ's surrogate."

"Oh yeah?" Sonny smiled, "I'm happy for you."

"Thank you."

"Are you happy?"

"Of course."

Sonny stares her down, "Are you?"

Kristina does a double take at him, "Yes. Dad, yes, I am."

His stare intensifies, and Kristina feels herself wilt underneath.

"It's okay to not be happy about it," he says.

"I am, really. I just…" Kristina takes a deep breath, "Everything feels overwhelming right now and I don't know how to process it all."

"Talk to me."

"I'm…" the young woman sniffs, "I don't know if I'm allowed to feel anything but joy over this. I made the offer unprompted, I was enthusiastic about it the whole time, and now that the surrogacy is all but written in stone, I just…I'm getting cold feet."

"That's okay-"

"I want to support Molly and TJ and make things better for them, and I know," Kristina runs her hands over her face and through her hair, "I know that you and Mom and Sam told me about all the lifestyle changes and risks with pregnancy and all that, and I thought I could handle it, but maybe I'm in way over my head."

"Kristina-"

"And don't get me wrong, I'm happy that I'm able to give Molly and TJ something they'll never have, y'know? I'm providing a 'service,' so-to-speak, and providing to those in need is so fulfilling, and I just…God!" she buries her face in her hands.

"Hey, hey," Sonny pulls her into a warm hug, "it's okay. Everything you're feeling is valid."

"I feel so conflicted, Dad. I-"

"It's okay, Kristina. It's okay."

"I…" Kristina gulps as tears spill over. She clings to her father, holding him in a vice-grip, "Dad…"

"Let it out," Sonny's voice is soft, his hands rubbing her back. They stay joined together for a few more moments before Kristina pulls away, wiping her eyes clean.

"Thank you," her voice cracks.

"Of course. Like I said, you always have my support."

"I do," she giggles sadly, "I really do."

Sonny continues to rub her back with one hand, "Feeling better?"

"A bit, yeah," Kristina looks around as she tries to calm herself further.

"Something on your mind?"

She turns to Sonny, her tears drying on her face as she makes her request: "Is it okay if I stay the night?"