Author's Note: Dropping an extra chapter for the weekend. Enjoy!
"That took longer than I would have expected," Kristina said when Alexis joined her in the restaurant, "What all did you and Dad have to talk about?"
"I simply asked your father not to try make amends with Kellie in a way that puts you in the middle," Alexis said, "And hopefully gave him some things that if he thinks about and does something positive with, maybe he and your sister can coexist more peacefully."
"Do you think that's even possible?" Kristina asked.
"I really don't know," Alexis said, "I figured it was worth shot. Now what I want to know was why were you in tears in all of this."
"It's really nothing, Mom," Kristina said.
"You know I'm going to worry until you tell me, right?" Alexis replied, "I know the crux of the tensions between your father and sister pertain to the shoot out on island last year where we thought Charles died. A shoot out, I recall you were there for and even threw a knife at Cyrus Renault putting him in a coma for awhile. You've always told me you were fine, but part of me has always questioned if you weren't just telling me that so I wouldn't worry."
"I thought everything was fine," Kristina replied, "thought I was fine. I guess trying to explain to Dad why trying to approach Kellie about Victor being responsible for all of it, just brought up some stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" Alexis said.
"I guess there was just so much going on the island when Charles was shot and Cyrus took everyone hostage," Kristina said, "It was one crisis after another. And my sister, Kellie, who is usually so strong and tough, she wasn't able to be after all that. I was so busy making sure she, Sam, and my nieces and nephews were okay that I guess I stuffed everything I was feeling away. I didn't realize it until I was talking to Dad just now."
Alexis waited for Kristina to continue.
"I didn't stuff all of it away," Kristina said, "I really thought I'd dealt with all that."
"Kristina, sometimes it's okay if you don't deal with everything all at once," Alexis said, "That was a lot, not to mention, Drew had just been dropped off on the island, courtesy of Victor as well. You were on the island supporting both your sisters, Kellie and Sam. You just might not have been able to figure out what you needed to all at once."
"I guess that makes sense," Kristina said.
"Even though the bulk of what was happening at the time was to Sam and Kellie and their kids," Alexis said, "Doesn't mean you have your own thoughts and feelings about the situation either, whether it was at the time things happened or later."
"And here I thought I was holding it together for my sisters," Kristina said.
"And you did," Alexis said, "You showed up for them when it mattered most. I know how much Sam and Kellie appreciated all your support."
"It felt good to be able to something for them," Kristina said, "Sam has always been a rock for me even if I'm messing up and Kellie always been supportive of me and I knew if I ever needed anything all I had to do was ask."
"It doesn't mean that you still might not need to fall apart later," Alexis said, "Even months later. Although I'm sure it didn't help it happened during a tense moment with your father and sister."
"Maybe," Kristina said.
"Do you know how proud I am of you?" Alexis asked, "Not just for being able to support Kellie and everyone else the way you did on the island, but when you showed up to help her out during Tyler's last months battling Leukemia. I honestly wasn't sure how that would work out, but you were there for that too. That could not have been easy."
"No, it wasn't," Kristina said, "But when I saw how exhausted she was, running on fumes, I just couldn't leave her face that alone. I know she wasn't alone and that Charles, Loreno, and Uncle Ric around, but…."
"She also had three kids, Charles was losing Tyler as well," Alexis said, "He and Lorenzo were doing their jobs at the foundation and Kellie's. Ric would have been mostly living his own life and showing up when he could."
"She'd been trying to deny how bad it was," Kristina said, "When I showed up Tyler had fallen, broken a leg, and was waiting for surgery. Kellie hadn't left the hospital in I don't how long."
"I recall hearing you made her go home and brought in reinforcements," Alexis said.
"All I had to do was mention how bad it was," Kristina said, "Sage and Milo were there. Spinelli wasn't sure what he could do, but he knew he could work from there and help where needed. Then Ellie came with him too."
"I bet Spinelli spent more time entertaining the kids," Alexis said.
"Actually, he did, him and Milo," Kristina said.
"But you were the one that got everyone there," Alexis said.
"I guess so," Kristina said.
"I know so," Alexis said, "And now your starting your own business. Granted I'm still uneasy about it being a casino. But I'm proud of you for that too."
"Kellie's been amazing, letting me learn at her casino and getting her business partner to let me learn from him," Kristina said, "I was worried that maybe being my older sister, she might be a little bossy about what I should do. But she hasn't. She gets the updates from me, provides advice, but lets me do what I need to."
"I'm happy for you and that it's working out so well." Alexis said.
Kelly's Diner
Lorenzo and Kellie entered the diner.
"Have a seat," Bobbie said, "Do you need menus or should I just put in the orders for your usuals?"
"The usual," Kellie said, looking at Lorenzo who nodded.
"I'll be right out with your drinks," Bobbie said before disappearing to the back.
Kellie and Lorenzo sat at one of the tables.
"What exactly did Sonny do this time?" Lorenzo asked.
"What I should have expected," Kellie said, "That he would take the first opportunity he had to tell me that what happened on the island wasn't his fault because it's was all Victor's fault. I tried to avoid all of that when he stopped by the table."
"But he couldn't leave it alone," Lorenzo said, "Sonny never has been known for his timing."
"Yeah," Kellie said, "I tried not talking to him unless necessary, but I ended up leaving when I realized that we were just fighting in the middle of the restaurant."
"I think you did the right thing," Lorenzo said, "You would've just frustrated yourself staying and arguing with Sonny. When he eventually tries again just breathe and walk away."
"I'll definitely try," Kellie said, "It's easier said than done. There is still some part of me that thinks maybe he'll actually listen to me this time and it'll be different. Nevermind, that past experience indicates it's unlikely."
"Some part of you still cares about him as your father," Lorenzo said.
"Yeah," Kellie said, "If only he were less difficult."
"That would probably make things easier for a lot of people," Lorenzo replied as Bobbie came back out.
"Here you go," Bobby said, setting a milkshake in front of Kellie and a coffee in front of Lorenzo.
"What warrants being served by the owner today?" Kellie asked.
"I'm just taking care of a few things before I head to Europe to finish wrapping things up with my brother's estate," Bobbie said, "Since you're here, I wanted to make sure I said thank you for helping get Liesl Obrecht here for Willow's transplant. Michael mentioned he thought you were helping."
"I just wanted everyone to get home safe and sound," Kellie said, "And obviously for Willow to get her transplant."
"I heard they found Charles alive, how is he?" Bobbie asked.
"Finally getting to rest now that the initial whirlwind of his return has died down," Kellie said, "But it looks like he's alright after everything that happened."
"I'm really happy for you," Bobbie said.
"It's the best news I've had in awhile," Kellie replied.
"I bet," Bobbie said, "You tell Charles his first meal here will be on the house. I'll make sure the staff knows."
"I'm sure he'll appreciate that," Kellie said.