Chapters 105 & 106
Chapter 105 Up All Night
Carly wakes in a cold sweat. Looking around to orient herself, she discovers she's on her living room couch with a comforter over her. It takes a moment to locate the buzzing sound-- the TV. Obviously the late night programming is over. With a flick of the TV remote, she turns it off.
Still shaking from her nightmare, Carly rises from the couch rubbing her arms in an attempt to drive out the dream. "I wish Benny were here." Yesterday's events play through her mind. The stabbing, how Benny helped her save the kid, how he was right beside her through the aftermath, and how he held her hand most of the night till she finally got drowsy. Then she had sent him home against his objections.
"You don't need to be alone right now, Carly." Benny had insisted.
"Nonsense. Once I fall asleep, I'll be fine. You've been so sweet helping me through all the gruesome details. Go get some sleep." Then she had shooed him out of the apartment.
Then the nightmare she just had flashes through her mind. Images of AR screaming "Mommy, Mommy!" with a knife in his belly. And then the image of Bobbie and Tony standing behind her with their arms crossed. "We told you to sell the diner and you wouldn't listen. Now your son is dead. Are you proud of yourself, Carly?"
Unable to shake her demons, Carly grabs her keys and flees the apartment.
It takes a while for Benny to realize the pounding he hears is not in his dream. With a muffled groan he rises from his bed and dons a pair of sweat bottoms. Padding to the front door he opens it. "Carly!"
Carly is embarrassed to see she'd woken him up. "God, I'm sorry to wake you... I thought maybe you'd still be awake and working. That was stupid of me, just go back to bed. I'll talk to you in the morning."
Carly turns to leave, but is halted when Benny's hand snakes out to grab her elbow. He hauls her into the apartment, saying, "I may still be half asleep, but I can see you're upset. Out with it, Carly."
She looks at the floor. "I just had a bad dream, that's all. I'm fine now."
"Then look at me," Benny demands. Carly looks up; as soon as her eyes reach his probing ones, they fill with tears. With a swift intake of breath, he pulls her into his arms. "I didn't think so."
"I keep seeing AR lying on the ground bleeding instead of that kid," Carly says with a broken sob into his bare chest. "What am I going to do?"
Benny squeezes her tighter. "You did the right thing getting out of that apartment. The last thing you need is to be alone."
Carly nods. With great effort, she pulls herself together and breaks away from Benny. Even as upset as she is, Carly knows the trap of relying on a man to take care of her. Never again. "Thanks for the hug, I feel better now."
Benny lets her go reluctantly, sensing the sudden wariness is Carly. "Anytime. How about I make us some coffee? I don't thing either of us is going to get any sleep."
"Thanks, that would be great. I don't feel like confronting Kelly's kitchen tonight, even for a pot of coffee."
Sunday Morning, Cassidy and Alexis settle down to breakfast while Stone takes his morning snooze.
Cassidy notices Alexis picking at her breakfast. "What's wrong? You've been pretty quiet the last couple days. Something bothering you?"
Alexis looks up to give her a false smile. "Nothing you want to hear about, I'm sure. Any news on finding Jerry?"
Cassidy's pushes her plate away. "No. Jax and Jane have offered a substantial reward for his release. But so far, nothing from the kidnappers."
Alexis winces at her poor timing. "Oops, sorry. My question made you lose your appetite, didn't it?"
"Not really. I wasn't hungry anyway. I'm just tired of sitting here waiting!" Her frustration getting the better of her, Cassidy gets up to pace. "Don't say it, I know it all already. I have to stand on the sidelines because I can't put myself or the baby at risk. Easier said than done."
Alexis smiles sympathetically. "Don't I know it."
Cassidy flops onto the couch. "You could always distract me by telling me what's bothering you. It'll give me something else to think about."
Giving up on her breakfast, Alexis joins her. "I'm sure this is getting old by now, but I'm thinking about Sonny. Again. It's the usual, how his death is all my fault."
"Stone's birth brought it all back, didn't it?"
"Yes, unfortunately," Alexis answers. "I can't seem to get past the fact that if I'd just been tougher, more cruel during our breakup, he would have given up on me. Then he'd still be alive."
"You never did tell me the whole story behind that," Cassidy points out. "Maybe it would help to tell me."
"It couldn't hurt," Alexis concedes. "I never did tell you what led me to do what I did, did I?"
"Nope."
"Well, it isn't pretty...." Alexis begins.
Alexis winces as the older woman screams at her through the phone lines. "Aunt Helena," she breaks in. "This conversation is getting us nowhere."
"Yet again, you bring disgrace to the family!" Helena seethes, her voice filled with hatred. "Did you think I would not discover your mobster lover? He must be very energetic in bed for you to lower yourself to sleep with slime while you betray your family!"
Alexis fights back. "I'm not betraying the family, I'm merely trying to have a life. This is none of your concern, Helena. I don't answer to you anymore."
"No, you only answer to my coward of a son. You both make me ill. Rather than doing what is best for the family and my grandson, he lusts after the whore married to our bitter enemy, and you bed Luke's gangster friend! Have you no shame?"
"I'm ending this conversation now, it's pointless." Just as Alexis prepares to hang up her phone, Helena says something that catches her attention.
"Alexis, mark my words. You bed your Latin lover again and he won't live out the year. And you of all people know... I keep my word."
"You wouldn't dare?!" Alexis exclaims, horrified.
"Oh, wouldn't I, Alexis darling?" With that Helena slams down the phone, leaving Alexis shaking.
"So that's when you broke it off with Sonny?" Cassidy presses a tearful Alexis.
"No, it took him almost getting killed a few days later to bring me to my senses."
Jason's Penthouse. George Landers arrives with a large packet. "Here you go, Morgan. Joe said he was up all night filling your order."
"Thanks. Remind me to give him a bonus." Jason rips open the envelope and spreads the 5X7 photos all over the coffee table. "Have you taken a look at these yet?"
"No, I thought you'd want them right away." Landers joins him at the coffee table. They sort through the pictures. Landers points to one. "That one I recognize."
Jason lifts it for a closer look. "Yeah? This is the guy in the knife fight yesterday. He stabbed the kid who's in the hospital."
"Any news on the kid?"
"Still critical. So how do you know this other guy?" Jason asks.
"From Atlantic City," Landers answers. "Minor player. Last time I saw him, he handled drug distribution. Real sleazy."
"So the Smiths have decided to challenge my authority." Jason throws the picture on the table. "Since you know the players, I want you to go pay a little visit to Atlantic City. And this is what I want you to do...."
Late morning. A bleary-eyed Benny rises from his computer and glances over at Carly sleeping on his bed fully clothed with a blanket draped over her. He kneels in front of her, rearranging the blanket so it covers her more completely. Carly opens her eyes sleepily. "Hi."
"Go back to sleep," Benny urges softly. "You need it."
"So do you," Carly murmurs, snuggling deeper under the blankets.
Benny chuckles. "Is that an invitation?"
Carly grins without opening her eyes. "If you're a gentleman, I think I can share."
"I might just take you up on that," He says with a yawn. After shucking his bunny slippers he joins her under the blanket.
Laura heaves a heavy sigh of relief when she hears Lucky's voice on the other end of the phone. "Why didn't you come home last night, Lucky? I was worried sick about you."
Lucky flinches, realizing his mistake too late. "Sorry Mom. I forgot to call last night."
Laura vents the remainder of her anger. "If I didn't know you any better I'd think you wanted to me worry all night."
"No Mom, honest," Lucky implores. "Things have just been really wild lately. Did you hear about the knifing in front of Kelly's yesterday?"
"No," Laura is shocked. "I didn't turn on the news last night. What happened? Are Carly and the baby alright? How is Emily? Was she there?"
"A gang fight broke out and a kid got stabbed," He informs her. "Carly and the baby are fine. Emily didn't see it, but she's still pretty shaken up. I promised Jason I'd stay with her."
"I should be very angry at you, Lucky," Laura scolds. "You volunteer yourself to protect Emily and you don't even bother to call me. I know I couldn't stop you, I wouldn't even try. But I at least deserved a call. You still live here and Lulu and I depend on you."
Lucky closes his eyes, chagrined. "I know, I'm sorry."
"I know you are," Laura's tone softens. "You're entitled to goof every once in a while. Just try to keep us in mind."
Chapter 106 Married, Divorced And Widowed
Alexis rushes into the Emergency room and heads straight for the nurses station where Amy happens to be working. "Amy! Where's Sonny?! Have they brought him in yet?"
Amy looks up from a chart she's reading. "He's in exam room 6..." Alexis dashes off before Amy can finish. "But you can't go in there!"
"He can't die, he can't!" She whispers under her breath as she sprints to Sonny's room. She pauses outside his room to take a deep breath, saying to herself. "Get a hold of yourself, Alexis. You go running in there like this, you're just going to upset him if he's conscious. Be strong." Once under control, she opens the door.
Inside she finds Matt Harmon examining Sonny. "Sonny," She says, sounding calmer than she feels. She sees the bullet wound in Sonny's side and closes her eyes.
Matt looks over his shoulder. "You shouldn't be in here, Ma'am. Can you wait outside?"
Sonny grins at Alexis' pale face despite the pain. "Hey there, Counselor. Please let her stay, Dr Harmon. She's a sight for sore eyes. Come here." He reaches his hand out to her and winces at the effort.
Matt shrugs. "Sure, I'm almost finished anyway. You were lucky, Mr Corinthos. Another few inches and the bullet would have pierced your spleen and we'd be lucky to be talking major surgery."
Alexis takes a seat next to Sonny's bed and holds his hand tightly. "He's going to be alright then?" She says, unable to keep the quiver out of her voice.
"This time." Matt makes the last stitch, and puts on the final dressing. "Done. Next time he might not be so lucky. I'll leave you two alone. They'll probably admit you overnight for observation, Mr Corinthos." Matt wheels himself to the door.
"Thank you, Dr Harmon. For everything," Alexis says gratefully. After Matt leaves, Alexis turns to Sonny again. "How did this happen? Who did this?"
"Two guys jumped me down by the pier. Didn't really get a good look at them, but even so I could tell they were from out of town." Sonny sees Alexis fighting to remain calm and his eyes soften. "I'm going to be okay, Alexis."
"I know." Alexis looks at the floor, willing the panic away. Now is not the time. Sonny needs her to be strong, supportive. "I know you can take care of yourself."
Sonny lifts her chin so he can see her eyes. Under his searching gaze her face crumples and she starts to cry. He cradles her head in his lap and soothes her. "It's okay, Alexis. Let it out, honey. It's okay."
"I was afraid..... I was afraid you were dead," She confesses through her sniffling. "I promised myself I wouldn't do this. I'm sorry."
Sonny strokes her hair lovingly. "Honestly? I like you like this, all vulnerable. I wish you'd open yourself up more often."
"And let you see all my neuroses? No way." Alexis laughs as she blows her nose.
As the memory plays itself out in her head, Alexis curls herself up into the fetal position in bed and whimpers.
................
Keesha lets AJ into her apartment. "Thanks for coming, AJ."
"You said it was important." AJ looks around hopefully. "Is Bradley here?"
"No." Keesha takes a deep breath to hold back the anxiety. "I thought it was better that we talk alone."
The hope dims in AJ's eyes. "Oh, then I can probably guess what this is about. You still want a divorce."
Keesha nods and picks up the papers. "I had these drawn up. I think the terms are very fair, all things considered."
With a heavy heart, AJ takes the papers from Keesha. "When I left for treatment, I told you I wanted to work things out. I realize you have no good reason to want to..."
The words die in AJ's mouth as Keesha shakes her head gravely. "No, AJ. Our marriage is over. It has been since before Bradley was born, we just didn't want to admit it."
AJ searches Keesha face for any trace of hope, any trace of indecision. He sees none. He sags into the nearby sofa in defeat. "My drinking killed our marriage, didn't it?"
Keesha joins him on the couch. Trying to honest but not cruel, she says, "Yes, I wasn't willing to share you. There were three of us in the marriage. You, me and the bottle. I couldn't take it anymore. And Bradley needs more stability than you can give him."
AJ pinches the bridge of his nose to keep his emotions in check. "I know what you're saying is true. I won't fight you, Keesha. The only guarantee I want from this divorce is the opportunity to be a father to my son."
"As long as you're sober that shouldn't be a problem," Keesha answers quietly. "Have a lawyer look it over. In regards to Bradley, I had Justus put in a stipulation that if you begin drinking again, your parental rights will be suspended until there is proof that you're sober."
"That's reasonable in print, anyway." AJ rolls the divorce papers up, his mood melancholy. "I guess there isn't much else to say, is there?"
AJ rises from the couch and Keesha walks him to the door. "Not really. I'm sorry this had to happen at all." She brushes a few tears away. "I never wanted this to happen."
"I know, neither did I," AJ replies with deep regret. "We had some wonderful times though, didn't we?"
"Yes, and we will always have Bradley as a reminder of those times." Keesha opens the door and stands aside. "But more than anything, I hate what this divorce does to Bradley."
"Yes, he is the innocent party. The best we can do is to make this as painless for him as possible." AJ leans over and kisses Keesha on the cheek as a final intimate gesture. "Goodbye, Keesha."
Keesha closes the door behind him and wraps her arms around herself sadly. "Goodbye, AJ."
...................
Stefan checks himself in the mirror one more time. Not usually obsessed with his appearance, today he sees it as vitally important. Today is the day he asks his beloved to marry him.
Everything has to be perfect. The elegant black suit jacket he selects for the occasion is just the final touch. Underneath he wears a billowing black silk poet's shirt tucked into tight fitting black Italian made slacks. The result of the ensemble pleases him. As do his hair and goatee which are trimmed to his exact specifications. He pulls a small velvet jewelry box out of his pant's pocket to look at it one more time.
Mentally Stefan rehearses the speech he has prepared. The words flow smoothly in his brain as they had done the last hundred times he had replayed them. Then he rehearses his responses to all her conceivable objections and concerns. He is ready.
Stefan tours the living room, pleased with the effect the recently delivered flowers make on the room. At first he had considered proposing to her in the game room, but had ultimately decided the formal living room was more appropriate. The intimacy of the game room would have most likely scared Lasha.
And Stefan knows she needs to be as relaxed as possible to truly listen to his speech, to truly consider his proposal. If she is frightened or intimidated, she would run. As she had done more times than he could count.
Defeat is unacceptable. The door bell chimes telling Stefan the time has come.
