Chapters 97 & 98
Chapter 97 Life's Little Miracle
Mike gazes lovingly into his grandson's eyes. "He's gorgeous, Alexis." He looks up at her with a huge smile on his face and watery eyes. "Truly gorgeous."
A glowing Alexis smiles back at him. "I know. He's perfect, isn't he?"
Unable to keep his eyes off the little bundle in his arms, Mike looks down again at Stone, this time stroking his cheek. "You are perfect in every way, aren't you, little guy?" Mike coos. "Yes, you are. And so many people already love you. We're going to spend lots of time together, you and I. We're going to be best buddies."
Alexis wipes away a stray tear from the corner of her eye. "I expect you to be the most involved grandparent on the planet, Mike."
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away," Mike vows. "In fact, if you ever move, you might as well make space for me."
A couple hours later in the GH nursery, Simone Hardy is doing a routine examination of Stone. Through the large window, Nikolas and Gina watch her work.
"This is so amazing," Nikolas whispers. "I've never seen a newborn closeup before, much less held one."
Gina puts an arm across his shoulder companionably. "I would have never known it. You're a natural with him, Nikolas."
"You think so? At first I was terrified..." Nikolas swallows the lump in his throat at the memory. "Then I didn't want to let him go."
Gina winks at him playfully. "I noticed, when Mike practically had to pry him out of your arms."
They lapse into silence, watching Simone put Stone on an infant scale to weigh him then measuring his length with a tape measure. Stone protests to her handling by swinging his arms and legs furiously and screaming, only calming when Simone rewraps him in his receiving blanket.
"He really is beautiful, Nikolas. Even when he's mad," Gina says finally in a wistful tone.
Nikolas turns to her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply. "I want a baby, I don't want to wait." He cups her cheek with his hand, kissing her with all the love he feels for her. "Please, Gina. Tell me you want the same thing."
Gina breaks the kiss to take his cheeks in her hands. "I would love to make a baby with you, Nikolas Cassadine."
After his examination, Robin and Jason offer to take Stone back to Alexis. Robin holds Stone as they stroll back to Alexis' hospital room. "Jason, I can't believe how much he looks like Sonny."
"Nah, he looks like Alexis," Jason replies, letting Stone squeeze his finger. "except for the black hair."
"Isn't he perfect, though? His tiny little fingers and toes, even his tiny little lips. He's so cute." Robins sighs. "I wish I could be here to be a full time Godmother for Stone."
"You will be next year, when you get accepted to PCU's medical school," Jason points out.
"I know, but that's still a year away." Robins kisses Stone's head lovingly, tears filling her eyes. "I don't want to leave."
Jason puts an arm around her shoulders. "I know you don't, but you have to."
"I'm so tired of doing the right thing, Jason. I want to be here for Stone now, not next year. He's the closest thing I'm going to have to a child of my own, I don't want to miss any part of his life." Robin hugs the baby closer.
They arrive at Alexis' room and with great reluctance, Robin hands Stone to Alexis. "Send me lots of baby pictures, okay?" Robins says, furiously wiping away her tears.
"Oh Robin! I wish you didn't have to leave so soon." Alexis takes Robin's hand and squeezes it. "You sure you can't stay another day or two?"
Robin shakes her head sadly. "Classes start tomorrow. Believe me, I wish I could."
"I know you do. I promise to send lots of pictures. So many you won't know what to do with them all." Alexis reaches her hand out to Jason. "Thank you for everything."
Jason reaches over and kisses her cheek. "I'll be back in time to take you home."
"Take your time, Jason. Don't hurry back on my account. I have so many helpful friends and family, they're coming out of my ears." With a bright smile she waves them off.
Once alone with Stone, she examines his little body, recounting all his fingers and toes to reassure herself that he is healthy and whole. She smiles, watching him protest her poking and prodding. "Already stubborn like your daddy?" She asks in a loving whisper. "Good, I wouldn't want you any other way, little one."
Stone replies by yowling loudly and Alexis laughs. "You're hungry, are you? Well, that's something I can help you with." With minimum fuss, she positions him to nurse, which he sets to with great gusto. She strokes his cheek lovingly. "Your father should be here, you know. Watching you nurse, holding you, changing your diapers. I know he'd love you at least as much as I do. He wanted you so much, Stone. More than his own life."
Alexis wipes a stray tear from her cheek. "I hate to tell you this, honey, but your mom is a big mushball. I'll try not to let it get out of hand when you're a teenager, but I can't make any promises."
Stone continues to nurse while Alexis lapses into her memories of Sonny, something she usually relegates to late at night when she lays alone in their bed. But holding precious Stone makes her long for Sonny more than usual and her mind wanders back to one of her first encounters with Sonny.....
"You know, Alexis," Sonny says with his trademark dimpled smile. "They have much better coffee at the Outback, actually just about anywhere else but this damned cafeteria. So why do you keep turning me down?"
Alexis picks up her briefcase next to their table in the hospital cafeteria. "Because you want more than coffee."
Sonny inclines his head slightly. "True, I'd like to actually feed you. And spend more than half an hour with you."
"That would mean we're dating, Sonny." She tries to get up from the table but Sonny grabs her hand forcing her to sit down and look at him. "I don't date, Sonny," she says with an exasperated sigh.
"You dated Nedly," Sonny points out. "Granted that's probably enough to make you swear off men all together..."
"Exactly the reason I don't want to date," Alexis pulls her hand from his grasp. "Thank you again for the cup of coffee."
"One of these days we're going to have a proper date," Sonny calls after her retreating back. "For one thing, I'm not about to suffer through another cup of coffee in this damned cafeteria."
Alexis stops in her tracks, and after leaning her head back in frustration she returns to Sonny's table. "No one dragged you here, remember? You asked me. This was supposed to be about hospital business anyway."
"Only because it's the only way you'll agree to see me." He takes her free hand and kisses it, giving her one of his brilliant smiles. "Admit it, Alexis. You're intrigued by me, just as I am by you."
Alexis snatches back her hand. "Good bye, Mr Corinthos," She says coldly before stalking away.
Sonny rolls his eyes dramatically. "Oh no, we're not back Mr Corinthos and Ms Davis, are we?"
Alexis keeps on walking.
......Alexis looks down at Stone who is now fast asleep in her arms having filled his tummy. "Good thing your daddy was persistent, Stone."
Chapter 98: Lifestyle Changes
"It's good to hear you're settling in nicely, Alexis." Laura laughs into the phone at something Alexis says. "Get sleep while you can, it's the only way with a newborn. Is there anything you need? ... You know I'd love an excuse to come by and hold Stone again. He's so beautiful....Now don't hesitate to call if you have any questions. Would it be okay if I dropped by tomorrow? ....Noon would be perfect, I'll bring lunch." She winces as a she hears Stone cry through the phone. "Oh, he must be hungry, I'll let you go. Bye, Alexis."
Afterwards, Laura paces the room , mentally trying to prepare herself to make the next call. Fed up with herself, she says aloud, "You're being ridiculous, just make the call!" Biting her lip, she picks it the phone and dials. "Hi Cora, it's Laura Spencer. I need to make an appointment with Dr Quartermaine, today if possible.... He's not?" Laura twists the phone cord around her finger nervously. "Oh shoot....Yes, it's important.... Oh, there's an appointment open with Dr Scanlon for later today? That would be perfect. I'll be there at 3:00 pm, Cora. Thank you."
After her phone call with Laura, Alexis walks around the penthouse with the just fed Stone in her arms showing him everything. "Look Stone, this our home..." She takes him to the large picture window. "And here's our pretty view. Nice place, isn't it?" She smiles down at Stone and sees he's already fallen asleep.
She tiptoes into her bedroom and lowers him gingerly into the bassinet next to her bed. With a kiss on his cheeks she says, "Sweet dreams, Sweetheart." Alexis catches sight of Sonny's picture on the dresser on the way out and smiles as it brings back one of her favorite memories.....
The evening of the same day that Alexis met Sonny for coffee.
Alexis walks briskly to the elevators, carrying her leather suitcase. Sonny comes up behind her. "Good evening, Ms Davis."
Alexis bristles slightly, but doesn't turn to make eye contact. "Goodbye, Mr Corinthos."
Sonny shakes his head ruefully. "My, My. We are cold this evening. I thought we were at least friends."
Thanking the lord when the elevator doors open, Alexis practically dashes inside. She turns to face him, giving him the coldest Cassadine stare she can muster as she pushes the elevator button. "We aren't friends, Mr Corinthos, we never have been. Any hope of that ended with your relentless insistence on taking me out on a date." As the elevator doors start to close, she says, "Have a nice night."
With lightening quickness, Sonny lunges forward and halts the elevator doors. He joins her in elevator looking mighty pleased with himself. "That Cassadine stare will get you nowhere, Ms Davis. In fact, it has the opposite effect. Sorta like waving a red flag in front of a bull."
"Are you following me, Sonny?" She asks in a fit of temper. "And do you usually force your attentions on women who tell you over and over they aren't interested?"
Sonny leans against the side of the elevator casually. "Only on the irresistible ones who are lying about being attracted to me."
Alexis blushes, unable to find a quick retort. The elevator doors open and they both disembark. Sonny's limousine is waiting, but not Alexis'. Without a word, Alexis begins walking in the direction of the docks. "Alexis," Sonny calls out to her. "Let me give you a lift to the docks."
Alexis keeps walking. "No thank you."
Sonny jogs up behind her and grabs her arm and pulls her around. "Don't be foolish, you know it's not safe for anyone much less a woman to walk on the docks alone. At least let me call your driver and wait with you 'til he gets here."
"That's not necessary," Alexis replies in a flat tone, pulling her arm from his grasp. "It was always my intention to walk to the launch tonight, since it's so beautiful and brisk. And you needn't worry about my safety. As a precaution, I carry a firearm and am capable of protecting myself. I appreciate your offer, but no thank you."
Sonny shakes his head and watches her walk away.
A short while later Alexis stands at the dock, waiting for the launch. She hears a rustle a short distance a way and automatically pulls her weapon and points it in the direction of the sound. "Tell me who you are or you're dead."
"Very impressive." Sonny walks out from the shadows with his hands raised and a grin on his face. "I come in peace."
Alexis lowers her hand slightly and swears. "Dammit Sonny! I could have killed you! Why are you still following me? And don't pretend that you aren't this time."
Sonny moves steadily closer, his hands still raised in a gesture of submission. "I followed you to be sure you made it safely to the launch. As I said before, the docks are dangerous. I wouldn't want you to get hurt."
"Seems to me that you are the only one I have to be a afraid of," She snaps, her glare hardening as he continues to close the distance between them.
"Aww, you have nothing to fear from me..." Sonny drawls, surprising her by walking past the gun without hesitation until he standing nose to nose with her. "Did I tell you that you look very sexy holding that revolver?"
"Sonny, I --" Alexis words are cut off when Sonny's lips covers her in a searing kiss. His arms wrap around her waist and pull her against him. His kiss goes on forever, drowning her senses and reaching past her carefully erected defenses and into her soul. With a groan she surrenders, kissing him back with all the desire she feels.
As the kiss swirls out of control, the gun slips from her grasp, and as if by some sixth sense, Sonny catches it before it falls. After pocketing the gun, his hands frame her face and break the kiss. He leans his forehead against hers and draws a jagged breath, chuckling. "Damn, that was better than I ever imagined it would be."
Alexis sags against him with a whimper. "Why did it have to end?"
Sonny swears. "Don't talk like that unless you want me to take you to bed. The launch is coming..." He shakes himself to gain control.
Now it's Alexis' turn to chuckle. "And to think a minute ago it couldn't have come fast enough for me."
He pulls her into a hug and whispers into her hair. "I wish that damn launch would sink. Now that we've gotten past the pre-kiss jitters, will you put me out of my misery and agree to a date?"
"Yes," Alexis closes her eyes, savoring the intimacy of his arms around her. "Of course, right now I'd agree to just about anything."
Sonny squeezes her tighter before releasing her. "I told you not to talk like that." His eyes bore into her, making her shiver. "You have no idea how hard it is to keep my hands off of you when you talk like that. Speaking of hands.... you dropped this." Sonny pulls her firearm out of his coat pocket and hands it back butt first.
"I can't believe I was so careless, thank you." She takes the revolver from him and gives him a quick peck on the cheek before walking onto the launch.
"I'll pick you up at the hospital for a 6 pm dinner at the PC Grille," Sonny calls out.
"Make it noon at the Outback and you're on," She yells back.
Sonny laughs. "That's the Alexis I know. Always in control. See you at noon."
Dressed in scrubs and a white lab coat, Dr Julie Scanlon enters the examination room and smiles at Laura. "Hello, Mrs Spencer. Sorry to keep you waiting, the lab's been backed up all day."
Laura fiddles with her skirt anxiously. "Do you have the results back yet?"
"Yes." Julie opens Laura's medical file and takes a moment to read through it before looking back up at Laura. "As you guessed, the test is positive. You're pregnant."
Pregnant. Laura sinks deeper into the chair and covers her face. Why? Every time she thinks things couldn't get worse, they do. Pregnant. Not now, not like this, and not by HIM.
Julie touches Laura's knee gently. "Mrs Spencer, this pregnancy wasn't planned, was it?"
Laura takes her hands away from her face and wipes them against her dress. "No, it wasn't. I've been praying that I wouldn't be... This couldn't come at a worse time. I have no idea what I'm going to do."
Julie pauses a moment, noting the look of devastation in Laura's face. "You probably need some time to think about your options. From what you reported earlier, it looks like you're about 6 weeks along. If ending your pregnancy is something you're considering...."
Julie's words cut through the fog in Laura's brain, giving her clarity amongst the emotional turmoil. Laura covers her stomach protectively with her hands and straightens her back. "No, that decision's been made," She says, her voice strong with conviction. "Planned or not, I'm keeping this baby."
"Good," Julie says, relieved by Laura's decisiveness. "Then I think what you need next is an appointment with Dr Goldstein."
Laura pastes on a smile. "Peachy, then sign me up."
