A warm yet tired smile graces TJ's face when he opens the front door. He grins at Alexis and Dex, who stand shoulder to shoulder in the apartment complex hallway. Visible bags rest just under his eyes, and faint stains dot the shoulders of his light blue T-shirt.
"Well," Alexis begins, "you look rested."
"It's been a…hectic couple of days," he sighs before chuckling, "but that's what happens when you have a newborn."
"Don't I know it," the elder woman pulls him into a hug. He then pulls back and gives Dex a firm, semi-passionate bro hug.
"Come in, both of you," they walk past him as he gestures, turning his wrist clockwise. Molly stands between the couch and coffee table, the baby against her chest, swaddled in a bright yellow blanket. Soft cries and whines leave the infant's mouth as Molly gently bounces her.
"Everything okay?" Dex asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Molly sighs, turning the baby to face him and Alexis. He beams at the little girl, and she stares back in awe, "She's just a bit fussy."
"We've been trying to put her down for a nap, but nothing we've done has worked," TJ approaches his domestic partner, "Lullabies, stories, we even tried a warm bottle."
"Let me help," Alexis gently guides Molly to the back of the apartment, following her daughter's lead to the nursery. Dex and TJ stay put in the living room, taking a seat on the couch.
"We just need her to sleep," the doctor runs his hands down his face, "She hasn't been able to get through the night, and she hates naps. She needs to rest and she just…refuses to."
"I'm sorry," Dex frowns.
"I know that having a baby is a lot of work and you lose a lot of sleep, and Morgan is just getting used to, well, everything, but it's still hard."
"I mean, it hasn't been that long. She'll come around and you and Molly will find something that works. You guys need sleep just as much as Morgan does."
"Ain't that the truth," TJ yawns, "How have you been?"
"Good, good," Dex nods slowly, "I'm just…living life."
"How's-" he looks around before leaning in, his voice dropping to a whisper, "How's Kristina?"
Dex raises an eyebrow at the man, "Why are you whispering?"
"Because-" TJ looks around again, "Because her name is kind of the forbidden word around here. I brought her up yesterday and Molly snapped at me. She did it to Sam when Sam mentioned her this morning. Kristina just…sets her off."
"Well that's not good."
"Not at all, but I mean, I don't fully blame her. Morgan's supposed to be half-her and half-me. Kristina claiming that she's the biological mother…it's caused some problems for Molly and for me."
"What kind of problems?"
"Well, when Molly snapped at me and Sam, she pointed out the facts of the situation: Kristina signed a contract, Kristina went through the procedure, all the things that happened as part of the surrogacy. Her lawyer brain took over in a way, and she's not really willing to give Kristina some grace with the birth and what happened."
"What about you?"
"I mean, I'm not sure what to think. Obviously, I agree with the facts and that Kristina agreed to be, and was, our surrogate. She had our baby, not her own. But at the same time, when I look at Morgan and see how she responds to us, part of me thinks there's something…off."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, look at me," TJ gestures at his torso, his hands moving up and down, "and look at Molly. I know that sometimes, a mixed-race baby could look almost exactly like one parent in skin tone, but it's a bit rare. And I get that Morgan's a newborn, only a few days old or so, but she's pretty pale."
"I see…" Dex nods slowly, pondering what to say, "Have you talked to Molly about it?"
"I haven't brought it up, at least not yet. Talking about that, especially right now, would lead to talking about Kristina, and probably fighting about Kristina, and I don't want to upset her any more than I already have. I just hope that once Kristina lets go of this idea that she's Morgan's mom, things will cool off. I want her to be part of her niece's life."
"Here's hoping," Dex offers a sad smile.
"I just…" TJ takes a breath, "I've thought about it a lot, and I can't shake it, you know? Something is off and I can't figure it out."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay," TJ flashes a warm, toothless grin, "I know Kristina's hurting. She almost died giving birth, so I'm giving her some grace. I just…really hope things don't escalate. The last thing we need is Molly and Kristina in an all-out war."
"Right…" Dex sighs as the sound of a baby crying catches his attention. The men turn towards the archway behind the couch, Molly and Alexis walking through it. While the elder woman appears composed, her daughter's face is red, tears staining her cheeks.
"What's wrong?" TJ gets to his feet immediately, walking up to them. Dex slowly stands up after him.
"She's-" Molly hiccups, trying to bounce the crying infant in her arms, "She's not going to s-sleep. I've tried 'Frère Jacques,' I've t-tried 'The Velveteen Rabbit,' I even tried skin-to-skin and n-nothing. I d-don't know w-what to do."
"Let me try skin-to-skin," TJ takes off his T-shirt before gently taking the baby into his arms. Alexis wraps herself around her daughter, cradling her as they look on. TJ winces when the infant continues crying against him, her whines piercing his ear.
"Come on, Morgan," he coos, "you need to sleep."
"Oh God," Molly buries her face in her hands, sobbing. Alexis pulls her into a hug, holding her daughter tight. Dex frowns at the sight, biting his bottom lip as his mind races, desperately searching for a solution.
"Can I hold her?"
All eyes instantly land on him as the infant sniffles. He gulps in response, eyes darting around the apartment as he kicks himself for letting the question fall out of his mouth. Alexis maintains her stare while Molly and TJ exchange looks.
"I mean," TJ begins, "if you're able to get her to sleep, then sure."
Dex welcomes the baby as soon as TJ rests her in the crook of his arm. He meanders away from the group, rocking her ever-so-slowly while she looks on, her face contorted in exhaustion and frustration.
"Hey, little one, it's me. Do you remember me?" he coos. The baby looks up at him through her brown eyes, broken apart with tears, her face relaxing bit by bit, "Aunt Krissy isn't with me today, but she says hi," he meanders in place, rocking her to and fro in a confined circle. The group watches him all the while, "I know you're tired, and it's been hard for you to sleep, but I'm here to help, okay? You'll be out in no time, I promise."
"He came with you?" Molly eventually breaks the silence, looking at her mother.
"Yes," she nods, "He hasn't been by to see Morgan, so I invited him."
"Did she tag along?"
"Is she here?"
Molly looks around the living room, "...No."
"Well, there's your answer. I didn't extend the invitation to your sister because I know how problematic it would be if I did."
"Good. The last thing I need is her being around my baby."
"You know she's hurting, don't you?"
"So? Hurting or not, that doesn't mean she's anything other than Morgan's aunt," Molly crosses her arms, "She knows how badly we wanted this, and now she wants to take it away from us. I can't just think of that as trauma talking."
"The incident's still fresh-" TJ speaks up, stopping himself when he sees Molly's glare.
"Look," the young woman takes a deep breath, "I get Kristina went through something awful. I get that things are hard for her right now, but that doesn't give her the right to try and keep something that isn't hers."
"Give her some time. She'll let it go."
"I know my sister, and when she wants something, she'll fight like hell to get it. It wouldn't surprise me if Dex agreed to come here because she told him to."
"Come on, Molls," TJ scowled, "that's not fair. Dex loves Kristina, but he can think for himself, and on top of that, he's practically family. Morgan's allowed to see her uncle."
"Not if he's siding with her."
"For the record, he isn't," Alexis remarks.
"For now, but that could change. This is only the beginning."
"That's enough," TJ shakes his head, "Let's just appreciate that we have a healthy baby girl and that she's home with us, okay?"
"Okay," Molly sighs, pausing to take in the silence she finally notices. She blinks a few times, staring directly at Dex in gradual disgusting awe. Alexis and TJ follow her gaze. Dex looks up to see their faces, his eyebrows furrowing.
"What?" he asks. The infant's eyes are shut tight, her breathing calm as she sleeps against him.
"She's not crying," Molly observes.
"How did you get her to go down?" TJ questions.
"I just gently rocked her back and forth and spoke to her. She seemed to relax pretty easily," Dex grins at the baby, bouncing her in the crook of his arm ever-so-gently. TJ slaps a hand on his opposing shoulder before guiding him to the back of the apartment, leading him to the nursery. Alexis and Molly watch them exit the living room, the latter maintaining her appearance.
"What's wrong?" Alexis peers down at her. Molly blinks before turning to face her mother.
"He got Morgan to fall asleep so easily," she answers.
"Well, she probably recognizes his voice since she heard it so much in utero."
"Sure…sure…" Molly swiftly turns towards the dining table and grabs her car keys and purse. She marches past her mother and opens the front door, turning to face the elder woman.
"If TJ asks where I went, tell him I got called into work. There's something I have to get done ASAP."
It wasn't easy to convince her father to let her leave the house, but she's glad she didn't give up trying. Somewhat.
Kristina's steps are sloppy and rough as she walks side-by-side with Sonny in Rice Park. A light breeze gently kisses her face, strands of hair curving back as the wind pushes them. A million thoughts run through her mind, her hands in her coat pockets as they walk in silence.
"Why did you want to come here again?" Sonny asks.
"I just…" she takes a breath, "needed some fresh air."
"...Okay," he responds, looking her way, "but why not go to Corinthos-Davis House or Charlie's? Y'know, somewhere to sit and talk?"
"I can't go back to the House yet."
"And Charlie's?"
"Not in the mood."
"Well," Sonny looks at the nearby bench, situated perfectly underneath a large tree, "if it's a-alright with you, I'd like to sit down."
They walk to the spot, and Kristina watches her father settle into the seat. She joins him, and they look out at the spacious fields before them; a mix of dead grass and snow decorating the ground. Kristina keeps her eyes on the grounds, eyes going in a myriad of places: a group of men throwing around a football, a few kids building miniature snowmen, a couple and their baby sitting on a picnic blanket.
That should've been us.
"Feeling any better?" Sonny asks, gazing at her sadly. He sits back and stares at the groups of people when she fails to respond.
That should be Dex and I on that blanket, she thinks to herself, watching the young family giggle, We should be here, sitting on a blanket, laughing with our baby girl. It should be him who bounces her in his lap while I adjust her hat, or me cradling her while he makes her laugh at his funny faces. That should be us, that should be us, that should be-
"One day that'll be you down there."
Kristina immediately freezes up, blood running cold when she registers her father's comment. She immediately looks his way, casting him a brief glance before turning away.
"Y-You'll be with your son or daughter," Sonny gestures down at the young couple, "sitting and laughing and…having a good time."
She stays put, gently biting her bottom lip.
"Maybe y-you'll do all that w-with Dex. I know you two are an…an item. And, y'know, I'm still not thrilled about it, but if that's who you feel is best to have kids with-"
"We already have a kid."
Sonny shuts his mouth immediately, trying to recall her response as their words run over each other, "What?"
Kristina takes a deep breath, loudly exhaling before she speaks, "Molly's baby isn't just mine…she's mine and Dex's."
Sonny takes a deep breath of his own, letting out an exasperated sigh, "You know Morgan is Molly and TJ's-"
"She's their niece."
"I know things are hard-"
"I'm not crazy, Dad. I'm not making things up. That little girl is your flesh-and-blood granddaughter."
"Kristina-"
"Dad," she looks his way, a firm determination present in her irises. Sonny stares at her, gradually sitting upright against the beach. His blank expression morphs into anger, and for a brief moment, Kristina wilts under it.
"I'll kill him," he says, his voice raspy and deep.
"Dad-"
"I'll kill that son of a bitch," he gets to his feet.
"Sit down," she grabs his hand, tugging as if she's a child. Sonny lets out another sigh before relenting.
"You need to tell me everything, Kristina," he commands, "Don't leave anything out, don't try and 'protect' him-"
"He doesn't know."
The kingpin blinks at her, his face reserved and red. Kristina gulps, shaking her head a bit before opening her mouth.
"Look," she begins, "Dex and I got to know each other better after you made him my bodyguard. We got really close, and eventually, we…slept together."
"Was this before or after your miscarriage?"
"After."
"God…" Sonny pinches the bridge of his nose as Kristina continues.
"I felt sick the day of the procedure, and when I went in for it, Dr. Navarro told me that I couldn't be the surrogate. I was already pregnant."
"He didn't have the decency to use protection?"
"He doesn't know!" Kristina slams her hands against her lap, "Dad, Dex has no idea that his 'niece' is his daughter. I didn't just lie to Molly and TJ and you and Mom and everyone else in the family, I lied to him too."
"You're sure he doesn't know?"
"Yes. I've tried to tell him a couple times, but I just…couldn't do it. I kept chickening out."
"You don't get to 'chicken out' anymore."
Kristina sucks in her lips, tears stinging the corners of her eyes.
"Y-You know how I feel about lying," Sonny explains, "especially when it comes to family. What you did…it's horrible. M-Molly and TJ trusted you to give them what you agreed, no, what you promised you'd do for them, and you broke that."
"I know-"
"And it's not just them: it affects your mother and I as well. That's our granddaughter that w-we share through you, and we lost all that time with her. We're still losing time with her because w-we think she's someone else. And then there's Sam and Dante and-"
"I know that-"
"And with Dex," Kristina gulps as the name hits her ears, "as…angry as I am about his…r-recklessness, he's f-family now," Sonny leans in close to his daughter, his voice dropping to a whisper, "He has the right to know that he has a little girl out there. He has the right to know that he's her father, and that her mother made him believe he's anything but."
Kristina doesn't respond, tears streaking down her cheeks. She glances away, cringing at the image of Molly and TJ's potential reaction in her head: angry, betrayed, heartbroken. The expression extends to everyone else, and it breaks her apart.
"I'm sorry…" Kristina sobs, "I thought I was doing the right thing…"
"The right thing to do was to be honest. The second Dr. Navarro told you that you were pregnant, you should have said something," Sonny replies, "You could've saved everyone, even yourself, a year of heartache and lies."
She buries her face in her hands, body shaking with sadness.
"I love you, Kristina," Sonny turns her towards him, "and I know you feel guilty about all of this, but you need to own up to what you did. You need to tell Molly, TJ, and Dex the truth about Morgan."
"Even if it means I lose them?"
Sonny frowns, completely relaxing his hold on his daughter.
"Molly will never forgive me for this, and neither will TJ. They're my family and I don't want to lose them. I can't afford to lose them. And Dex…" she inhales sharply, "I love Dex. I can't afford to lose him either."
"Unfortunately, sweetheart, you lost them the second you lied. That's just the consequence of something like this. Take it from me," Sonny tries to flash her a smile, and she mirrors him.
"For the record," he continues, "I'm still in your corner. Am I happy you lied? No, but you're my daughter, and no matter what, I love you and I will always be here for you."
"I love you too," she hugs him tightly, his hand rubbing her back. The sound of shoes crunching the nearby dirt path pulls them apart, and they look to see Nina approaching, a manila envelope in her hands.
"Hey," Sonny stands up. Kristina joins him a second after, "what's going on?"
"Well, this is for Kristina," Nina gives the envelope over, "I knew she was with you, so I signed on her behalf and promised the delivery guy I'd serve it to you. And here I am."
"Serve what?" Kristina asks as she opens the flat package. She scans the top half of the packet, eyebrows shooting up almost immediately.
"What is it?" Sonny asks as Nina walks to his side.
"'Molly Lansing-Davis and Thomas Ashford Junior versus Kristina Corinthos-Davis,'" the young woman reads aloud as she scans each and every document. She then looks up at Sonny and Nina, her face pale, "Molly's suing me for breach of contract. She's going to try and keep me from my baby…permanently."