It's pure coincidence they ended up at the same place.

Alexis's eyebrows shoot up as she sees Dex walk into Kelly's, a black sweater perfectly hugging his muscular arms. She watches him approach the counter, waiting for someone to take his order. After a few minutes of silence, she gets to her feet and walks over.

"Picking something up?" she asks from behind. Dex turns around, surprise present in his face.

"Oh, Ms. Davis," he replies, "hi."

"Alexis," she offers her hand, and he takes it, "What brings you by?"

"I'm getting a coffee to go."

"Busy day ahead?"

"Kind of."

"Too busy to sit down for breakfast?" she gestures to her table right by the window.

"...I guess not," he ruffles his eyebrows in confusion, walking with her. He sits across from her, wilting slightly under her gaze. They sit in silence for a beat, Alexis staring ahead while Dex reads the menu in front of him.

"How are you?"

He snaps his head upward, "Hm?"

"How are you?" she repeats.

"I'm…good," he answers slowly, "I'm sorry, am I in trouble?"

"No! No, not at all. I just…found an opportunity to talk to you and wanted to take it."

"...Okay. What do you want to talk about?"

"You. And my daughter."

Dex immediately tenses up. The waitress stops by the table, a small smile on her face.

"Is he with you, ma'am?" she looks at Alexis, who nods her head. The young woman turns back to Dex in response, "What do you want to eat?"

"Uh…" Dex blinks, frozen for a moment before snapping back into reality, "a black coffee and, uh, the fruit stack with strawberries and bananas."

"Whipped cream?"

"Sure."

"Sounds good," he hands the waitress the menu, "It'll be right out."

"Thank you," he watches her leave, avoiding Alexis's eyes. She clears her throat, and he inadvertently looks her way anyway.

"Back to the topic at hand," she begins, "You and Kristina: what's going on?"

"We're…friends. Close friends."

"Oh, I don't doubt that you're close, but that pause makes me think you're not exactly friends."

Dex sucks his lips in, keeping quiet.

"Look, I'm not here to ward you off my daughter. She very much cares about you, and it's clear from your conduct that you care about her just as much."

"I do."

"I just want to figure out where things are going."

"Why?"

Alexis doesn't respond, staring ahead. Dex feels sweat tinge the back of his neck in response.

"You're getting defensive," she observes, crossing her arms.

"I…" his mouth's dry, voice shaky as he tries to find a suitable response, "um…"

"You're not in trouble."

He still doesn't respond.

"Dex, look," Alexis scoots forward, elbows on the table and fingers locked together, "I just want to know that what you're feeling is genuine. Kristina's been through enough; the last thing she needs right now is a broken heart. And if you're worried about Sonny, don't be."

"Don't be?" Dex finally responds.

Alexis smirks, leaning back with her arms crossed again, "Kristina won't let him lay a finger on you. If she loves someone, she fights for them."

"She loves me?"

The question abruptly leaves his mouth, hopeful and light, and it takes a second for him to realize what he said. He ducks his head down, face red with embarrassment, sheepishly wilting under her determined, assured gaze as his meal arrives. The waitress flashes a smile, setting down a plate of fresh pancakes and a lone mug of coffee. Dex immediately picks up his fork and cuts into the meal, stuffing a few slices in his face.

Alexis raises an eyebrow, sitting up against the back of her chair. She watches him swallow and bite again, stuffing his face in an effort to shut himself up. She crosses her arms, mystified at the sight, "How often do you do this?"

"Hm?" he hums, swallowing the bite, wiping his face with a nearby napkin.

"Is this some kind of tick you have, hiding away and acting defensive when you think you said or did something wrong?"

He blinks slowly, speechless. His back hits the chair as he swallows the chewed-up fruit in his mouth. He stares ahead at Alexis, doing his best to match her gaze.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," she rests a hand on her cheek, "I know a rough upbringing when I see one," the same hand then rests on his own, slightly balled up on the table, "There's nothing to be ashamed of or hide from here."

Dex looks down at her hand, her palm perfectly cupping his knuckles. He lets out an exasperated sigh, his arms relaxing a bit as he gives her a kind, tired smile.

"Sometimes I just…need that reassurance," he confesses, his voice quiet, "but, uh, does she love me?"

"Do you love her?"

Dex gently bites his bottom lip, eyes sparkling. He ducks his head down, avoiding Alexis's curious eyes.

"You can tell me," Alexis whispers, reaching out her hand again, "I won't say anything."

"It's…" his voice cracks as he begins, "it's hard to explain."

"How so?"

"It's…I just…" his mind jumps to TJ and Dante instantly. He flinches internally at their suggestions, dread in the pit of his stomach. Josslyn comes to mind soon after, and all he feels then is emptiness. The moment Kristina surfaces from the vast space, it's as if a massive weight crushes him, bones and all. He knows the truth: so does TJ, and he'd wager Dante does too.

He takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself.

"It hurts, doesn't it?"

His focus snaps onto Alexis immediately, his question breathless, "What?"

"Loving someone as much as you love my daughter."

Crap. His lip quivers slightly, eyes reddening as tears sting the corners, enhancing his pale features. He runs his hands past his face, trying to hide it. Alexis internally frets over his growing distress, but keeps herself firm on the surface.

"Loving someone," she begins, "being in love with someone, it's hard. It's as if the world takes your heart," she raises a hand, suddenly balling it into a fist, "and just crushes it. It suffocates you, it breaks you in two…and you can't help but love it, because there's nothing better than caring for someone so deeply, so passionately, and knowing you're capable of feeling that way."

"Yeah," Dex chokes out, trying to smile, "It…It helps me know that I'm not broken, or that I'm not as broken as I thought."

"Oh, you're definitely not broken," Alexis laughs, and Dex can't help but join her, wiping his face clean, "I don't know what you dealt with growing up, and you don't have to tell me, but from what I can see, it seems like you're doing just fine."

"Thank you, Alexis," there's a sparkle in Dex's eyes, a smile that creeps onto his face. Alexis can't help but match it, bright, wide, and pure. He returns to his meal, finishing off the pancakes and fruit left behind. He sips the rest of his coffee in slow succession as Alexis collects their empty plates. The waitress exchanges the check for the plates, Alexis snatching the black book away when Dex reaches for it.

"My treat," she grins, placing her credit card down. The payment comes and goes, and the pair gets to their feet to leave.

"Hey," Alexis grabs Dex's arm as they exit, "thank you for staying."

"You're welcome," Dex nods.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. My door's always open."

"You're going to do that for me?"

"My daughter loves you," Alexis looks around before leaning close, "and you love her in return."

His smile is small but pure, "I do."

"Your secret's safe with me."

"Thank you," he says. Alexis squeezes his arm before walking away, and he watches her leave. His voice drops to a whisper, "but it won't be a secret for long."

Determination shoots through him like electricity as he drives home, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. He makes it to the complex with relative ease and parks in his designated spot, speed-walking into the building and up the stairs. The moment he steps onto the third floor, he pulls out a small key ring from his front pocket, pulling up the one to his apartment. He's inside for a few seconds before he hears footsteps from behind.

"Oh," Kristina huffs out, and he turns her way, "were you going somewhere or-"

"Oh, no," Dex gently pulls her inside, closing the door, "I just got home."

"Good," she beams, "Otherwise I'd be stuck in the hallway."

"Amy dropped you off?"

"Molly did. We went shopping."

"For what?"

"Nursery stuff. Clothes, books, toys, anything she thought the baby would need. She had me tag along for a second opinion."

"Oh yeah? And how much of what you liked was kept?"

"More than I thought," Kristina giggles, "She wanted all these beige and gray things but I got her to bring in some color. A lot of yellow, specifically."

"Yellow?"

"I think the baby will like it," she shrugs, "Plus, I managed to convince her to get this plush bunny," she pulls out her phone and shows him a bunny a bit bigger than her hand. Its ears droop downward, a pink bow around its neck, "We were kind of arguing about it and the baby kept kicking, so we decided to get it."

"It's very cute," Dex smiles.

"Yeah," Kristina pockets her phone, "Molly's going to my mom's to see if she's still got some of our baby toys."

"You're really going all out, huh?"

"Yeah," she flashes a classic toothless smile, "Anyway, where did you go this morning?"

"I went to Kelly's for some breakfast: really making the most of my time off."

"Oh yeah? What'd you have?"

"Some pancakes and fruit, nothing special."

"Was it good?"

"Absolutely," Dex steps closer to her, "just as good as the person I spent breakfast with."

"Who?"

"Your mom."

Kristina takes a step back, blinking a few times. She stares head on at Dex, and he's not sure what to make of her expression. Apprehension colors his features the longer she stays put.

"Kristina…?" he asks nervously.

"She…she had breakfast with you?"

"Yeah…?"

"Oh my God," she puts her face in her hands. Dex approaches her swiftly, gently gripping the sides of her shoulders. She backs away again, "Oh God-"

"Hey, hey, it's okay-"

"What did she do?" her question comes out hastily, "What did she tell you? Ugh, of course she'd do this!" she proceeds to pace around the apartment, going back and forth behind the sofa, "She says she supports me, and she turns around and corners you and tries to scare you off-"

"That's not what happened."

"You don't have to cover for her."

"I'm not. She invited me to sit with her, and I did, and we talked."

"About?"

"Well, you, of course…" Dex pauses briefly, wilting a bit, "and me."

"Oh God, how much prying did she do?"

"None."

Kristina sucks in her lips, "...Really?"

"Yeah," Dex approaches her, "she didn't pressure me or anything. She was more focused on…figuring out our relationship."

"Which is none of her business."

"I don't disagree."

"I just…" Kristina takes a deep breath, a hand on her stomach, "I wish she wasn't so nosy. What I do in my personal life really doesn't concern her, from the jobs I have to the company I keep. Same goes for my dad."

"Right."

"Whatever we are is up to us."

"And what are we?"

Kristina immediately shuts her mouth, looking Dex up and down. His gaze is steady, laser-focused, and his mouth clamps shut just as fast as hers did.

"Well," she begins, "we're friends, obviously. With…benefits."

Dex stays quiet.

"That's what works for us," she mentally scrambles as the lie leaves her mouth, "We talk, we hang out, and sometimes, we kiss. It works."

"But what if it shouldn't be like that?"

"Is that what my mom said?" Kristina rolls her eyes, running her hands past her face, "God, she can't interfere for one second-"

"She didn't. In fact, she…kind of helped me realize something."

"...No," Kristina shakes her head, her mood instantly switching from annoyance to fear, "Please, no," her face ends up in her hands, "God, how could she do this?! The first time I meet someone who isn't crazy or evil and she still puts herself in the middle!"

"It's not that-"

"And here you are, covering for her!" she throws her hands out towards him, "All because she just can't leave me alone and let me decide who and what I want in my life. I just…why? Why can't she mind her business? Why can't I just live my life? Why does everyone think they get a say, that they have a right to see things play out the way they want them to?"

"Kristina-"

"This," she moves a hand in the space between them. Dex subconsciously steps closer, "works. It might be the only thing in my life that works, and I don't want to lose it. I haven't felt so strongly about something, about someone, in a long time, and I can't lose it. I can't lose you, I just can't-"

It's sudden, a bit startling, but she welcomes the sudden ambush of his lips on her own. His hands cup her cheeks, lifting her head up to take more of her in. They're both dizzy immediately, the passion and depth instantly consuming them. Dex lets his arms drop, wrapping them around her to pull her closer, her bump pressed against his abdomen. They stay still, drinking in the moment. Eventually, Dex pulls away first.

Kristina takes a small breath, cheeks flushed. Her eyes then flutter open, "Why…did you do that?"

"Because…" he inhales, "Because I love you."

The silence that exists between them is deafening, with Dex looking both defeated and determined. Kristina's face remains a rosy red, her eyes sparkling in surprise. She hears herself screaming internally, a shriek so full of relief and joy making her ears ring. She opens her mouth to speak, but can't seem to say anything.

"I love you," Dex repeats, keeping his arms around her.

"That's…" her words are full of air, "That's what my mom helped you realize?"

"Yes," his ocean blue eyes glow, "Look, I know you want to be friends with benefits, but…that doesn't work for me. I'm sorry," he feels her grip his upper arms, "I just…I've never felt this way about anyone in my life. I've never cared about someone the way I care about you."

"Dex…"

"I want you, Kristina. I want to be with you, any and all forms of you. And if this is too much or really scary, I get it and I'm sorry for springing it on you. I just…I couldn't let this continue without you knowing how I feel, and if you don't feel the same, then I understand-"

"I love you too."

Dex's mouth clamps shut immediately, complete surprise in his face, "...What?"

"I…" Kristina takes a breath, "I feel the same. I love you too. I know I said that being friends with benefits works for me, but that's a lie. I just…I didn't want to ruin things any more than I already have, and I had no idea how you really felt, and I thought that you just played along to make me happy and-"

"Hey, hey," he coos, cupping her cheeks, "You didn't ruin anything, I promise."

Kristina's hands end up on either side of his waist. She stares into his eyes, her gaze intense and joyful, "You love me."

"I do," Dex smirks, "and you love me."

"I do."

"So what should we do about that?"

"I think you know the answer."

His smirks turns into a wide, goofy smile as he leans down, their lips gently connecting. They move slowly and sensually, Kristina's hands going between his cheeks and the back of his head. He holds her even closer to him, swallowing her gasp-turned-moan with ease. He abruptly hums and pulls away when he feels a few hard kicks against his torso.

"I'm sorry," he runs a hand down her bump, his nose nano-inches away from her forehead, "I didn't mean to bother you, little one."

"She's fine," Kristina laughs gently, "I think she's glad that we don't have to dance around our feelings for longer than we need to."

"Oh, you can read her mind?"

"She probably could read mine," Kristina winks, causing Dex to laugh. Their foreheads gently touch as their eyes close, their noses brushing past each other. His hands sit at the small of her back, hers flat against the back of his shoulders. They stand still feeling the warmth of their embrace take them over.

For a brief moment, Kristina gazes at Dex with an anxiety that's all too familiar. She nudges his nose with her own, getting him to look at her.

"Hey," her voice is slightly shaky.

"Hey," he answers in the same soft tone.

"I love you."

His smile breaks her heart, "I love you too."

Tears slightly sting the corners of her eyes as she captures his lips in a kiss. The apartment melts away as they gently push against one another, their bodies weightless and full of light. In the moment, it's just them, and it's absolutely perfect.