She sat at the bar of the Port Charles Hotel, downing another martini when AJ walked in and sat down next to her. Could it really be that easy?

"Bartender, vodka" He looked over and noticed Jillian sitting on the stool on the other end of the bar. "What happened to you?"

"Your cousin and his witch of a wife. Still drinking yourself into oblivion I see."

"What's the point of staying sober when I've lost my son and Ned has taken what's rightfully mine, yet again. No thanks to you I might add."

"Oh AJ, can't you see? There was more in play than Ned coming back as CEO on his own. You know your cousin. Did you really think he'd jump at the chance to come back to that company?"

"Yes, actually because that's what Ned does. He plays rockstar and waits around until grandfather can't possibly think of anyone else and then he rides in and presumably saves the day. Why do you care about this anyway?"

"Let's just say that Ned and I became… close when he was in London."

"He cheated on Alexis? With…you?" AJ was shocked, but not terribly surprised and realized maybe he could use this to his advantage somehow.

"Whatever idea you just had, it's not going to work. She knows, and for some ridiculous reason she's standing by him."

"Alexis is a brilliant attorney, but she's blind when it comes to him." He signaled to the bartender and ordered another drink. "You didn't think you had a real shot with him, did you? Didn't you two have a fling and he dropped you like it didn't even happen. So what was this whole thing with ELQ, payback?"

"You know you're smarter than your family gives you credit for. "

"Too bad you failed to realize this when I was in charge. Instead you needed Ned, to play out some sick revenge for dumping you and now your company is in shambles." He said as he finished his drink.

"Maybe I've learned my lesson and I may have something that would interest you, for the right price that is." AJ looked intrigued and she finished off her martini. "Let's go somewhere we can talk privately." She said as she got up off the stool and he followed her out into the hotel lobby and they got into the elevator together.

Jax and Chloe's wedding day finally arrived. Ned stood in the aisle greeting family and making small talk as wedding guests started to arrive. He was talking with Alan, when he looked up and saw AJ arrive with Jillian. He excused himself and walked towards them, trying to stay in control and not make a scene. Jillian was taking advantage and getting AJ involved increased the chances for disaster. He didn't want this to cause any disruption to this day for his friends.

"What are you doing here with my cousin, Jillian?" He asked her pointedly.

"He asked me here. This isn't about you, but this is painful to watch. What are you so afraid of sending me mixed signals or saying something that I might misinterpret as an opening that you think is some manipulation, but I won't by the way. I'm clear on where we stand."

"Do you blame me? You've done nothing but terrorize my family since you got to Port Charles."

"Look, Ned. We're both free agents and who I'm involved with is none of your business."

"You are making yet another self-destructive decision, Junior and if you can't see that–"

"Let me just set the record straight because unlike what you and your wife believe I'm not some unhinged stalker looking to add to my resume. What happened with ELQ cost me more than it will ever cost you and this is not something I'd like to repeat. So if you'll excuse me."

"I'd really like to believe that. But not after that performance at my house the other day."

"What I left with that day was that you and your wife are fighting the good fight, in love, etc, etc.. Who am I to stand in the way? Well this is me bowing out. As far as I'm concerned, I will always remember our time together, but it's over and I'm moving on. Isn't it you who said I have bigger things to be concerned about."

"I'd like to believe that's true. But when you show up on the arm of my drunken cousin, I'd be a fool not to see that you're plotting something."

"Seems like you're the one who can't let this go." She said. "AJ, let's go." She said as they walked down the aisle and took seats near the Quartermaines.

He needed to warn Alexis. He didn't want her to learn that Jillian was there walking down the aisle. He immediately walked back towards the room where she was helping Chloe finish getting ready and knocked lightly on the door. "Alexis?"

"Ned?" She questioned as she opened the door. "What are you doing here? Jax isn't with you, is he?"

"No, he's not. Can I come in?"

"Uh, yeah. Is everything ok?" she said, taken off guard, as she opened the door wider and he walked into the room and she closed the door behind him.

"Chloe, you're beautiful." He said as he walked over and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you. It's not Jax is it? He's here right?"

"He's here. There's nothing to worry about. I just need to borrow Alexis for a few minutes."

"What's going on?" She questioned as she followed him out into the hall.

"Jillian is here."

"What? How?" She was shocked.

"AJ."

"You know she's just using AJ and looking for a reaction from you. Please don't give her one." The last thing she wanted was for this to put a cloud over the day for her friends.

"It's too late for that. I just wanted you to know before you see her sitting there. I don't want this to escalate and ruin the day for Chloe or Jax."

"Agreed." She took his hand and stepped closer, "Thank you for letting me know, love you," she said as she leaned in and kissed him. "I need to get back in there."

"I love you, too. See you in a bit." He replied and then kissed her quickly before walking back to continue his best man duties.

It wasn't long after that all the guests were seated and the wedding began. Ned took his place at the altar next to Jax. As the music started to play, the doors opened and Alexis walked slowly down the aisle holding a bouquet of mixed greens, burnt orange and red begonias and dahlias. He smiled at her and her gaze met his, smiling back. He noted how stunning she looked in the deep navy dress that made no attempt to hide the fact that she was six months pregnant. She reached the altar and she took her place on the opposite side as everyone turned their attention to Chloe as made her way to Jax. As they both stood there, it amazed them how far they'd all come since their misguided attempt to save Chloe's company by marrying other people.

As the ceremony continued and Jax and Chloe began to exchange vows, Ned and Alexis' eyes met again. Alexis thought about how hard it had been for her to get to the place where she was able to jump off the cliff and commit to him, for real. Thinking about it now, she can't imagine her life any other way and it would have been a mistake to let him and their love go. She flashed back to their own wedding, when they both had finally realized that they had no choice but to put the pieces back together after having almost lost it all.

They stood overlooking the ocean, a small private ceremony, the way it should have been. He held her hands in his as he spoke, "When we first met, I was drawn to you. There was this instant connection, we both felt it, and we were both terrified of it. So, we took our time, did things at our own pace and I'll always be grateful we didn't rush into anything. It allowed us to really know each other. You understand me in ways that no one else ever could and it took me a long time to be comfortable with that. To trust that there was this person, who I knew I could trust blindly, who would love me exactly as I am. There's no question we've hurt each other recently, and maybe that's what it took for us to realize just how much we need each other. That the only option we had was to put this back together. Today I promise you that I will always fight for us and this love we share every single day. I promise to protect you, stand by you, and love you with all that I am. There is no one else I want to go through this life with, so I promise to love you a little bit more everyday, forever and always."

He stood there and listened to Jax and Chloe exchange vows filled with promises of a life long love and he couldn't help but think about their own wedding. He smiled lovingly at Alexis, as he remembered their own promises to each other. He had tried to forget about her after she had left him standing at the altar, but that had proven impossible. Then, circumstances had shown them both just how much they needed each other. He had almost lost her and he had made the effort to put his bruised pride away because life without her wasn't the same and he knew deep down that she ran out of fear, not because she didn't love him. He wasn't going to lose her.

He had just finished his vows and slid the ring onto her finger. She laughed nervously as he reached to gently wipe the stray tears that had fallen as his words left their effect on her. He took her hands once more and gently squeezed them, giving her all the reassurance she needed to begin. "Ned, when I first told you that I love you, I said it didn't seem quite exalted enough. Honestly, it still doesn't. But, falling in love with you is the easiest thing I've ever done. Because of you I dare to dream about more than I ever have. You taught me that it was ok to hope, and not to be afraid because I was only hurting myself and your love is worth taking the risk. When I left that day, I made what was probably the biggest mistake of my life and I promise you, today, that I won't make that mistake again. I promise that I will never take you or this love for granted. I never expected you and I have no idea what I did to deserve you. All I do know is that falling in love with you is the single most extraordinary thing in my life and I won't let this go. Today, I choose you and I will keep choosing you everyday for the rest of our lives. I love you more than anything."

The ceremony concluded and soon they were walking back up the aisle arm in arm behind their friends, who radiated joy. Family and friends followed behind them to congratulate Jax and Chloe before heading to the reception at the Cosmopolitan hotel. As they made their way out of the church, Alexis made eye contact with Jillian, who smirked and then linked her arm with AJs and walked out of the church. Tracy stood and watched the interaction from a distance, knowing her nephew was being used.

At the reception, Alexis avoided Jillian, and Ned stood making small talk with his family when he saw her sneak out onto the balcony and he gave her a moment before he followed her. He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders as he stood next to her. The fall chill had settled in and she leaned up against him. "Thank you."

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?"

"Not yet." She smiled at him, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight

"Well you look gorgeous." He said, flashing his dimples. She leaned in and their lips met. He pulled away, "dance with me," he said as he took her hand and pulled her close.

"I was watching you during the ceremony."

"I know."

"What were you thinking about?"

"You. Our own wedding and the promises we made that day."

"I was thinking about the same thing." He replied seriously. She wrapped her arms around his neck, not needing words. They both understood how much they loved and needed the other.

A few moments later, she pulled away slightly and looked him in the eyes as they slowly danced. "Do you remember the last time we danced like this?"

"It seems like a hundred lifetimes ago." He said, remembering the night he paid a small band to play for a few extra hours after the Nurse's Ball.

"I think I knew that very night that I could easily fall in love with you."

"You've never told me that."

"Well it's true. I'm so lucky I found you and sometimes I question if this is even real. I mean how is it possible to love you this much?"

"Oh it's possible." He played with her and flashed his dimples that made her go weak at the knees and then led her in a turn underneath his arm.

"Don't be cute. I'm serious." She replied as they came back together and continued dancing.

"I know and I'm the lucky one. You showing up in Port Charles, all those years ago, changed my life. I didn't know what true love really was, until I had it with you." She leaned in and captured his lips with hers and they continued to dance in the moonlight, her head resting on his shoulder.

Inside the reception, Jillian watched intently as they danced on the balcony through the window. She fought rage as she couldn't understand how after everything they could still be clinging to each other. AJ walked over and said "Could you be any more obvious?"

"Please. I'm not doing anything."

"But you will– you're plotting, And standing here staring is only going to raise suspicions."

"Let's get out of here," she said as she put the glass of champagne she was holding down on the nearest table."

"Lead the way." AJ replied, but as they were about to exit Tracy stopped them.

"I'd think again if I were you Nephew. And while you're at it. Maybe it's time you consider putting down the bottle again. Haven't you been self-destructive enough for one year?"

"Oh Aunt Tracy, why don't we talk about the real reason you don't want me to leave here with her."

"Yeah, what's that?" She was intrigued by how bold he was all of a sudden.

"This isn't what we talked about." Jillian muttered under her breath.

Outside they had stopped dancing and decided to head back inside. They walked back into the ballroom hand in hand, laughing and then suddenly stopped when they heard Tracy interrogating AJ.

"Well that's what happens when you involve a drunk. Out with it AJ, what is it that you think you know?" Tracy shot back, causing the entire room to stop and stare.

AJ looked up and saw his cousin standing there and smiled gleefully as he turned to Jillian. "ELQ, the London deal, you were behind it all Aunt Tracy. So congratulations on a job well done." He picked up a glass of champagne from a nearby water and raised his glass before taking a sip and then turning to leave.

"Bye." Jillian said as she made eye contact with Ned before leaving with AJ.

Tracy stood there stunned and then turned around to see Ned and Alexis standing behind her. "Ned, darling, don't listen to him. He doesn't know what he's saying."

"You know I'd really like to believe that. But then I know you." He looked up at Jax and Chloe, who were watching with the rest of the family. He took a deep breath as Alexis gently touched his arm.

"I think it would be best if you follow AJ's lead and leave, Tracy." Jax added, trying to salvage what was left of the reception.

"Not until I talk to my son." Tracy was adamant.

"Go or I will because we are not going to do this here." He was hurt and still processing all that her involvement meant for not only ELQ, but for what had happened in his marriage since London.

Reluctantly, Tracy read the room and left. As she did Alexis turned to him and asked, "Are you ok?" She was shocked and still processing it all herself, but she knew it would have hit him even harder.

"No, no I'm not ok." He said as she wrapped her arms around him.