Dread hangs over nearly every person in the office, and Diane drinks it all in. She stands at the top of the circle of adults, a file folder in her hand and her upper lip stiff. Michael and Dante sit on either side of her, Sam with the latter. Dex and Kristina sit across the way, with Carly, Olivia, and Alexis to their left and Brick to their right.
"I'm glad to see we all made it here in one piece," the attorney nods, looking around, "Today's an important day. In my hand is Sonny's final will, updated a few months before his tragic passing."
"You've read it over?" Alexis asks.
"I have, and rest assured, nothing has been left to those that have passed away," Diane opens the folder, her voice dropping to a mutter, "and thank God for that."
"How is this working, exactly?" Michael crosses his arms.
"Why don't I read it, hm?" Diane scans the first page of the document, "Okay, to start off, Sonny has opted to divide his estate evenly, with each of his surviving children receiving 20%. While Michael, Dante, and Kristina are old enough to use the money as they see fit, he has placed the 40% for Avery and Donna in a fund, which will be under Carly's control."
"Ava won't like that," the blonde woman snorts.
"He left me money?" Michael scratches his head, "Even after our fight?"
"You were the one rebuffing him," Kristina crosses her arms, "He was trying to repair things. You should feel lucky he didn't cut you out."
"Moving on," Diane says, hoping to avoid conflict, "When it comes to Sonny's properties, Charlie's Pub will remain under its current ownership. Should something change, ownership will go to the last manager in charge of the pub: Kristina Corinthos-Davis."
"Oh good," Kristina chuckles softly, "there's something else to leave Ciara...if she even wants it."
"And if she doesn't?" Dante raises an eyebrow.
"Maybe Avery or Donna will like it," the young woman's eyes turn to Carly, who nods in understanding.
"Pozzulo's," Diane clears her throat, "will be relinquished to my longtime associate, Brick. In a similar vein, he will also take over Corinthos Coffee with my acting lieutenant, Dex Heller, as his right hand."
"Great," Brick mutters, rubbing his chin. Dex avoids the man's grim look, Kristina semi-consciously grabbing his thigh.
"Brick will take over the operations of my organization and run the business through the model that has allowed it to continue for so many years, and Dex Heller will play the right hand. I will stay on as primary counsel, with my choice of a successor should the time come."
Kristina and Dex look at one another, concern present in their eyes. The latter squeezes the former's hand, offering her a reassuring smile.
Diane flips a few pages, "Volonino's Gym is left to Dante and Rocco, should the young man want to inherit the gym when he is of age, while the island in Puerto Rico will be left in the possession of all five children. Should there come a time for the island to be sold, it must be by a unanimous vote."
"Anything else worth noting?" Sam asks.
"Not that I can see, no. I think we hit all the important points."
"Nothing about custody?" Olivia questions.
"Well, considering both Ava Jerome and Carly had joint custody of their daughters with Sonny, they now retain sole custody."
"Oy," the woman rolls her eyes, her hands on her hips.
"What's the matter, Ma?" Dante smirks, "Hoping you'd get your hands on Gloria's recipe texts?"
"I could ask her for them if I wanted to," Olivia points to him, "I'm just not thrilled with who gets to raise Avery, even if that's her mother."
"You'd get no argument from a lot of us," Michael replies, looking to Dex, who averts his gaze, "but it's what the courts decided."
"We can fix that, can't we?" Carly gets to her feet, "We can show how Ava is an unfit mother, right?"
"You could," Alexis responds, "but unless you can prove Ava is a threat to Avery specifically...good luck."
"There's plenty of evidence."
"Well, if we're moving on to a potential custody dispute, then I think we can conclude this reading. If you'll excuse me, it seems I have to speak to my..." Diane looks between Carly and Michael, "clients."
"Thanks for doing this," Alexis smiles, pulling her best friend into a hug before exiting. Olivia, Dante, and Sam leave next, leaving Dex, Kristina, and Brick behind. The trio shuts the office door behind them, walking down to the parking lot.
"Can I talk to you both for a moment?"
The pair turns to Brick, who stands by a sleek black SUV.
"What's up?" Kristina asks.
"I know that Sonny made me the head of the family business, but with my other work, I don't see myself committing to that."
"You're his top guy, Brick. You have to step up."
"I can't."
"So...what, does Dex take over now? Is that what you want to tell us?"
"The last thing I'd want is to let him take over," Brick and Dex exchange looks glares, "but I stopped both of you because he'll have to accept what's going to happen," he steps closer to Kristina, "If there's anyone who should run Sonny's organization, it should be someone who knows him the best, someone who carries his spirit and soul. I think you should take over."
"Dex-" Kristina turns to him, grabbing his arm. She catches his mouth clamp shut, and she rubs the fabric of his brown jacket to relax him, "do you think you can give Brick and I some space to talk?"
"Kristina-"
"I'll be okay," she pulls him in for a tight hug, rubbing his back. He embraces her back, rocking her back and forth before pulling away. She places a gentle kiss on his cheek before watching him walk off towards his car, waiting until he exits the parking lot.
"So you two are back together, huh?" Brick stuffs his hands in his front pockets.
"Not yet," Kristina sighs, "I just know that he was about to flip out."
"De-escalation: you've definitely matured."
"That I have," she nods affectionately, "So, back to the topic at hand. You want me to take over Dad's business?"
"Yes, I do. You and I both know it's not at all what he would've wanted-"
"But there's no one else who can do it."
"...You do know I'm not referring to the coffee business, right?"
"I know."
"Would you want to step into that world?" Brick steps closer to her, "Even if it drives the father of your daughter crazy?"
"I mean, he's right to say no," Kristina replies, "Ciara is our biggest priority, and even then, I have Corinthos-Davis House. I wouldn't dream of putting those kids in danger."
"We can increase external security for the shelter, and Dex certainly has no room to tell you no."
"Brick-"
"Kristina, this should be your ship to steer. With everything I got going on, I can only do so much. This business works best with someone like Sonny in charge, and I'd be damned if you weren't his twin in all the parts of him that matter."
"That's very sweet, thank you," Kristina gives the man a smile before pivoting, "Look, as long as you can guarantee that nothing will impact Corinthos-Davis House and that Ciara won't be a target, then yes, I can step up for you."
"You have my word," Brick bows, "Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it."
"Thank you," the pair hugs one another.
Brick is the first to back off, "If you're not busy, how would you feel about a briefing on the business over lunch?"
"Sure, as long as you're paying."
The mansion is as frightening as it was when Dex first stepped onto the property, but in his eyes, he'd trade an encounter with the Quartermaines for saving Ava's life a hundred times over. He twists the doorknob, pushing the structure open when he hears a soft click. Slipping into the foyer as quiet as a mouse, he shuts the door and takes in the old-money grays and white on the walls and stairs. Anxiety courses through his veins, nervously anticipating a household resident spotting him.
"Hello?"
Dex turns to his right, seeing a tall, stocky man with brown hair walking down the stairs. His Belarusian accent is thick, "Can I help you?"
"Yes, uh, my daughter is here with her…cousins. I'm here to pick her up."
"Who?"
"Ciara."
The men look to the double doors, the sitting room wide open to them. Michael stands in the doorway, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.
"All the kids are in the playroom, Yuri," the man approaches them, "She'll be in the playpen with Amelia. Look for the light yellow sweater."
"Understood."
"Thanks-" Dex speaks up, stopping when Michael holds a hand up.
"How the hell did you manage to get Ciara here?" he asks.
"I had her go with her cousins."
"Her cousins, who are on both sides of her family. Not that she or Kristina know that, of course."
"My daughter isn't even two yet-"
"And Kristina?"
"Don't worry about what I'm doing, okay? I don't want to start anything. I'm just here to get my kid."
"And then what, you'll leave?"
Dex turns back towards the foyer, wilting under Tracy's stern glare. Ned and Brook Lynn stand on either side of her, innocent concern in their expressions, "Excuse me?"
"O-Olivia's making dinner: her famous ziti," Brook Lynn throws out, "Why don't you and Ciara stay?"
"Oh, uh, that's…that's okay."
"No, I insist," Tracy smirks, "Join us for dinner."
"I just want my daughter."
"You can have her once dinner is over."
"I don't want to intrude-"
"You're family," Ned replies, "You'd be doing anything but."
Dex's blood runs cold immediately, a morbid feeling pulsing through his body. His eyes widen as he gazes at the man, then the rest of his relatives.
"What?" his voice cracks.
"I thought you knew that we knew…?" Brook Lynn nervously toys with her fingers.
"You told them?" Dex shoots daggers at Michael.
The man stands tall, "Your mom did."
It's as if a truck hits him, and all he can do is wince. He lets out a long sigh as he takes a seat on the nearby sofa. Michael rolls his eyes while the other three approach. Ned and Tracy sit on the sofa with him while Brook Lynn sits on the coffee table.
"I'm sorry," Dex says gently, running an anxious hand through his hair, "about my mom-"
"We're sorry for you," Tracy snorts, "being stuck with her and her terrible decisions."
"'Terrible' is an understatement."
"But it's still apt," Michael snaps.
"She isn't the biggest fan of our family," Ned responds, "and she made that quite clear."
"I'm sure she was like that when she told you the truth?"
"She was. She thought she was 'protecting' me by hiding who my father was."
"And that worked out great, didn't it?" Tracy smirks, "Some mother she was."
"Well, even with what happened, the fact that you're here is good, right?" Brook Lynn grabs Dex's shoulder, "We get a chance to get to know you better, and you get a chance to know us. Whatever you want to know, be it about the family or your dad, just ask away."
"How did he die?"
All eyes fall on Dex, who finally faces his relatives. There's a reluctant fierceness in his blue eyes, a brightness that catches them off-guard.
"All the things you can ask," Tracy scowls, "and you choose that?"
"Mother-" Ned speaks up.
"No, no! He could ask anything he wanted about AJ, and he picked how he died?"
"Would you rather tell Dex about how he lived?" Michael asks.
"I have no shame in admitting that AJ was a deranged alcoholic with a proclivity for crime. I just figured that Dex would rather think well of a parent for once."
"AJ wasn't much of a father to me," Michael shrugs.
"That's because your 'father' made sure he wasn't."
"This isn't about Uncle Sonny-"
"Except it is," Tracy directly faces Dex, "Sonny is responsible for AJ's death. In fact, both Sonny and Carly are responsible," she glances at Michael, "I couldn't leave your mother out."
"Of course you couldn't," Michael spits.
"S-Sonny…" Dex stutters, his body wracked with disbelief, "Sonny killed-"
"He shot him in cold blood," Tracy replies, "and Carly helped cover it up. Your precious boss is responsible for your father's death."
"AJ was no saint-" Brook Lynn speaks up.
"But he didn't deserve to die at the hands of the two people who ruined his life."
"AJ ruined his own life, Mother," Ned shakes his head, "Carly and Sonny were terrible to him, but let's not act like AJ didn't have his own demons."
Dex feels his lungs close up, his hands tingling with sharp electricity. He's not sure if he wants to throw up or take off, and sitting in the midst of a family debate only exacerbates the edge.
"Look, Dex," Brook Lynn grabs his attention, "I know this is a lot, and if you stay for dinner, we can help iron some things out about your dad."
"I…" Dex shuts his mouth, recalibrating his thoughts, "I'm just here to pick Ciara up. I Just want my daughter."
"Dada!"
Everyone looks to the open doors to the foyer, Ciara sitting in the crook of Yuri's arm. She reaches out for her father, her expression cheerful.
"There you are," Dex shoots up, scooping the baby into his arms, "Ready to go home?"
"Yeah," she smiles, more teeth present in her mouth.
"You're that determined to not stay?" Tracy crosses her arms, "You're that against joining the family?"
"Oh, come on, Granny," Brook Lynn whines, "be nice."
"I have a lot going on," Dex responds, cuddling the baby, "I'm just not really in the mood for a…family dinner right now."
"Would you be open to one in the future?" Ned asks.
"Yes, I would."
"Great!" Brook Lynn claps, "We'll be in touch!"
Dex nods at everyone, looking from her to Tracy, and then from Ned to Michael. Yuri moves out of the way as he exits the mansion, his breathing slightly labored.
"Dada okay?" Ciara questions as he secures her in the car seat. Her sweater clashes with the pink and brown flowers on the fabric.
"Dada's fine," he kisses her forehead before shutting the door. He then settles into the driver's seat of the SUV, backing out of the driveway and turning onto the road, "Did you have fun with your cousins?"
"Yeah," Ciara looks out the window.
"What did you guys do?"
"B-Ball!"
"Oh yeah? Did you win?"
"Yeah!"
"That's my girl," Dex chuckles, his voice shaky. The edges of his eyes begin to blur, his throat closing up. He does his best to calm himself down: Relax. Focus on the road. Make it home in one piece.
"Dada?" the baby calls out.
"Yes?"
"...Not okay."
Dex immediately pulls over just as he exits the woodland area of the town. He switches the hazard lights on and gets out of the car. Opening the back passenger door, he climbs in and sits with her, "What's wrong?"
"You."
His breath hitches in his throat, snapping her back into place. Her brown eyes reflect the interior lights with ease, gazing at the young man with concern.
"You not okay," Ciara says.
"I'm fine," Dex shakes his head, his vision blurring further.
"No, Dada, no sad," she frowns.
His face burns as tears absent-mindedly fall from his reddened eyes. Ciara reaches a hand out, and Dex hastily wipes his face. He shakes her hand gently before stepping out of the back, then settling back into the driver's seat. The pair sits in silence for a beat, Ciara looking on as she watches her father quickly pull out his cellphone. The device rings a few times before going to voicemail: "Hey, it's Kristina! Leave me a message and I'll call you back ASAP!"
"Krissy," he clears his throat, "it's me. I…I don't know if you're busy or not, but, um…I…I really need you right now."
The rest of the drive home is quiet, Dex's face red as he follows the road and Ciara's eyes glued to the nature outside. He eventually pulls into the designated parking spot in the Harborview Towers garage, taking a deep breath as he turns the SUV off. The baby grips his jacket tightly as he frees her from the car seat, and the silence follows them up to the penthouse.
"Dada," Ciara says softly as he shuts the front door behind them, "Mad?"
"No, I'm not mad," he chokes out, giving her a sad smile, "I'm not mad at you at all. I could never be mad at you."
Before Ciara responds, a rapid series of knocks echo from the door. Dex keeps Ciara steady in the crook of his arm as he pulls the doorknob, taking in Kristina's presence on the other side.
"I got your message," she walks into the living room, "I got here as soon as I could."
"Thank you."
"...Oh God," she gently cups his wet cheeks, "what happened? Is it Ciara?"
"N-No, no, she's fine."
"Dada sad," Ciara pouts.
"Dada's sad?" Kristina pulls the baby into her arms, walking her to the playpen by the dormant fireplace. She sets her down, handing her a fuzzy green caterpillar plush, "Did he say what made him sad?"
"No."
"Hmm, well, I think I'll find out for the both of us," Kristina winks, leaving her daughter with the toys in the playpen. Dex sits on the sofa with his head in his hands, and she can hear the faintest sniffles. She immediately pulls his crying form into her arms, cuddling him tight when his sobs grow louder.
"Dada…!" Ciara calls out, "No sad, Dada! No cry!"
"He's okay, baby girl," Kristina responds, rubbing his back, "Everything's okay."
"God…" Dex chokes out between cries, "I'm…I'm s-sorry-"
"Shh," Kristina hisses, kissing his head, "you have nothing to apologize for."
"I just…" Dex sits up, wiping his face, "I w-wanted to be strong for you; you s-saw him die. But…I just can't…I can't d-do this anymore."
"Oh, Dex," Kristina frowns, "I appreciate that, but I would've never wanted you to bottle up your grief. Dad was important to you too; you had every right to mourn him just as openly as I did."
"He…" Dex sniffs, shaking his head, "He was…just…I n-never thought we'd get as close as we did. I can't imagine l-life without him."
"I know," she cups his cheek, "I'm sorry."
"Dada!" the young man looks over at Ciara, her face tight with sadness. He springs into action, pulling her into his arms, keeping her in a snug cuddle. Her arms drape over his shoulders as she tries to hug him in return. Her voice is gentle, soothing, "No sad, Dada. Pwease."
"I'm okay, little one," he responds in kind, "I love you."
"Wuv you."
Kristina watches from the sofa, a lump in her throat. She gets to her feet and approaches the pair, hugging Dex from behind. He lets out a mix between a sigh and a whimper, turning just enough to embrace the young woman with his free arm. He gives her a broken smile, his cheeks as pink as the rest of his face. She reaches a hand up, leaving her fingers on the nape of his neck. He bends down to meet her in the middle, and she welcomes the gentle touch of his lips against hers.
"I miss you," Kristina's words are full of air as she pulls away, "I love you."
Dex doesn't respond, turning to set a calmer Ciara down in the playpen. When he turns back, he pulls the young woman against him and kisses her again. They push against one another in a smooth, heated frenzy, his hands cupping both of her cheeks. He then holds her in a tight embrace, keeping her against him.
"I want you back," he says softly.
"You got me," she pulls away, holding his hands in her own. They share wide, bright smiles before meeting in the middle for a third kiss: heavy, deep and warm. Ciara's giggle separates them, and they drop to their knees. While Dex teases the baby with the caterpillar plush, kissing the tip of her nose when she leans into him, Kristina keeps a grip on the yellow bunny plush, absent-mindedly running a finger over the soft fabric.
My family's repaired, she thinks, watching Dex playfully growl and shake the caterpillar at their daughter, his face back to its pale white coloring, We're back together. Things are looking up. Thank God.