Chapters 99 & 100
Chapter 99 Great Loves and Greater Fools
Pale and trembling, Laura rises from a chair in the examining room where she has been alone for quite some time. Pulling out her cell phone and taking a deep breath, she dials a number. "It's Laura, I need you to meet me. No... nothing's wrong with Lulu, but it's important that I talk to you as soon as possible. How about the park in half an hour? ....Okay, see you then." Laura closes the phone and gulps back the tears that threaten to spill out. With slow mechanical movements, she dons her old blueberry colored coat and leaves the doctor's office.
Alexis lies sleeping on her bed hugging the picture of Sonny to her chest. Baby Stone naps fitfully in his bassinet nearby, waking with a cry when his hunger becomes acute.
"Coming, Stone," Alexis says with a yawn as she forces herself out of bed. "I can't believe I'm sleeping so much." She picks him up, checks his diaper, and settles him in her arms to nurse as she sits on the bed next to the picture of Sonny. "I've been thinking a lot of your daddy, and how I fell in love with him....."
........."How did you get me to agree to a second date so soon?" Alexis asks at an elegant dinner with Sonny at the PC Grille.
Sonny reaches across the table and takes her hand, forcing her to meet his intense gaze. "Because you wanted to be convinced." Then he shrugs coyly. "Besides, it's not that soon. Now two dates in one day, that would be too soon."
Alexis chuckles. "And I have a sneaking suspicion you'd have a reasonable explanation for two dates in one day."
"Absolutely." Sonny grins, concentrating on the feel of her fingertips against his thumb. His smile broadens when Alexis flushes in response to his sensual overture. His forefinger slowly traces a random pattern in the palm of her hand, exploring every line with the express purpose of giving maximum pleasure.
"Are you trying to drive me to distraction?" Alexis asks, finding it hard to talk.
"Just trying to give you a preview of what our evening could be like, Sonny says in a seductive tone. His fingers travel from her palm and up the inner part of her forearm, sending shivers up her spine. "And I'm also realizing how soft and sensitive your skin is..."
With a cough, Alexis wrenches her hand out of his grasp and picks up her purse. "Then you better get me out of here quickly before I do something grossly inappropriate." She shoots him a mock glare. "You are very bad for my self control, Mr Corinthos."
"Now I'd like to see you be grossly inappropriate; self control is overrated anyway, Ms Davis," Sonny quips, rising from the chair and leaving several large bills to cover their tab. "Let's go." He escorts her to a waiting Limo outside and barks an order to the driver for the penthouse. Once they are settled and moving, Sonny pulls her into his arms and kisses her until they are both breathless. Then, as if nothing happened, he buckles her into her seat.
Alexis gives him an odd look. "I know this is strange coming from me, but why the self restraint all of sudden?"
Sonny takes her hand and brings it to his lips. "Anticipation enhances the pleasure."
The sun has set by the time Laura and Stefan meet. She finds him sitting on a park bench when she arrives.
"I could tell from your voice on the phone that something is wrong," Stefan says as soon she sits down.
Laura nods, fighting the urge to cry. "Yes, everything just keeps getting worse and worse. As soon as I catch my breath from the last crisis, another one flattens me. I don't know how much more I can take."
Stefan's throat constricts with rising fear. "You said on the phone it wasn't LesleyLu.... my God, are you ill?"
"No," Laura says quickly, looking down at her hands. "At least not exactly. This is coming out all wrong and it's getting harder to say by the minute."
"What do you mean, not exactly?" Stefan's asks with mixture of panic and frustration. "Either you're sick or you aren't. Please just tell me what it is."
Tears fill her eyes as she forces out the words. "I'm pregnant."
Stefan's eyes widen with shock, not believing his ears he looks into her eyes for confirmation. "You are sure?"
"Yes, I had it confirmed this afternoon." She shrugs slightly. "I still don't believe it myself..."
"I suppose this shouldn't come as a surprise given the fact that we took no precautions that night. " A shot of joy runs through Stefan's body. Then he sobers as questions enter his mind. "Is it safe for you to carry this child?"
Laura's teary eyes flash angrily. "Don't you dare suggest I have an abortion! I am NOT ending this pregnancy no matter how inconvenient it is."
"I am not suggesting anything at this point, Lasha. Our child is a gift, not an inconvenience. Nonetheless I have questions about your health. You will not be a young mother, and If I remember correctly, giving birth to LesleyLu put you in serious danger. Can you understand my concern?"
"Yes.. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just overwrought and I'm not thinking very clearly right now." Laura's trembling becomes more pronounced, causing her teeth to chatter as she speaks. "When I had Lulu the doctor said the problem I had giving birth to her shouldn't carry over to another child."
Feeling fiercely protective, Stefan gets up and removes his coat, leaning over her to drape it over her shoulders. "You are cold, put this around you to keep warm."
Laura shoves it away, her teeth still chattering. "No..I'm okay. You'll freeze without it."
"Lasha, you are shivering in that old coat," Stefan argues impatiently, persisting in his attempt to cover her with his own. "Stop being stubborn and take it. I will not have you and my baby freeze."
"Okay, I'll take it, just don't touch me!" Laura's voice becomes shrill with panic, panic that if he touches her she will break into a million pieces.
Retreating to his side of the bench, Stefan watches her warily as she takes a few deep breaths to calm down. He knows he must tread carefully or risk sending her into flight or worse. So he stays on a superficial level. "That ... 'coat' you are wearing is insufficient, Lasha," he says in a neutral tone. "I will buy you warmer one."
Laura draws his coat around her more closely. "No, if I need another coat, I'll buy one myself. Besides I'm shaking because I'm upset not because I'm cold. Have you already forgotten our noninterference agreement?"
Stefan becomes rigid with fury as the significance of the agreement hits him. His voice becomes deadly calm. "You betrayed me. You knew you were pregnant when I signed that agreement and you planned to cut me out of my child's life."
"It wasn't like that at all!" Laura fights back."I didn't know I was pregnant..it didn't even occur to me that I could be until I held Stone. If I planned to cut you out our child's life, why would I have told you about it tonight?!"
"I have no idea..." He studies her closely, trying to gauge whether she's telling the truth. All he can see is a distraught and frightened woman who doesn't seem capable of lying at the moment. "I do know that I cannot abide by the noninterference agreement when it comes to our child. You know how long I have loved you and have been forced to stand on the sidelines as others have claimed your children. I can't do it this time, not with my child, not with this child. I couldn't even if I wanted to."
Laura covers her face with her hands, visibly shriveling under the pressure of the argument. "I can't fight with you right now. Not when I don't even know what I want. I need time to think, to figure some things out. I just wanted to let you know... I thought you deserved at least that much since you're the father."
Stefan softens at her declaration. "For that I thank you. Who else knows?"
"No one." Laura looks at him square in the eye for the first time since telling him the news. "I came straight here from the doctor's office."
Stefan leans toward her but resists the urge to take her hand, knowing it wouldn't be welcome. "Promise me you will wait to tell Lucky. At the very least, don't tell him alone. I fear what he might do."
Laura gives him a weak smile. "Lucky would never hurt me.... And I don't plan on telling him anything until I've figured out what I want to do." She rises from the bench, and takes off his coat. "I need to get going before Lucky starts wondering where I've gone. I was due back hours ago."
Stefan rises. "We will talk again soon. When we both have had a chance to think about the ramifications."
Alexis rocks Stone, her recall interrupted by his squirming. She smiles down at him lovingly. "Stone, if you have half the charm your daddy had, I think you'll do just fine......."
Up in Sonny's penthouse, Alexis waits shyly as Sonny sets the lights low and hands her a glass of red wine. Sitting on the sofa, they clink wine glasses in a silent toast and sip. "It's lovely," Alexis comments in an attempt to make small talk.
"Thanks," Sonny takes another sip, never taking his eyes off of her. "I think I'm done anticipating, how about you?"
Alexis chokes on the wine she's sipping. Once she catches her breath, she says. "Yes, any more anticipating and I'll be a nervous wreck."
Sonny takes the glass from her hand and sets it on the coffee table. Cupping her chin with his forefinger, he kisses her slowly in sweet exploration. "You taste wonderful, Alexis." he whispers. "I want to make love to you."
His sudden gentleness and respectful consideration throw her off guard for a moment. Rather than answering him right away, she kisses him back with equal thoroughness. "Please, Sonny. I've wanted this longer than I care to admit."
He turns his attention to Alexis' hand, bringing her palm to his mouth for a soft bite followed by a kiss which causes a sharp intake of breath. He glances at her face to see it flushed with passion, her mouth parted slightly.
She shudders as he lavishes the same attention on her other hand. "I thought you were done with anticipating," She says with a harsh chuckle.
Before he can respond, she catches his mouth in a hard kiss that stops the erotic torture. She parts his shirt as she trails kisses down his neck and onto his chest. Sonny, unable to contain himself any longer, roughly cups the back of her head and forces her mouth to return to his.
The kiss goes on forever and they are both consumed by it, oblivious to their surroundings, only surfacing long enough to find their way to the bedroom. Totally focused on exploring each other, giving and receiving pleasure, they make love, seeking to relieve their loneliness and find comfort in each other's arms.
Afterwards they lie numb, their bodies still intertwined because of sheer exhaustion. Neither are willing to disturb the quiet as they each try to figure out what this could mean for them.
Finally Alexis speaks. "I think it's safe to say, I've never had such an intensely sexual experience in my life."
Sonny kisses her temple absently. "Does that mean you enjoyed yourself?" He asks, his voice almost purring.
"Yes, you could say that." Alexis turns in his arms to face him. "You are a magnificent lover, Sonny Corinthos."
Sonny blushes. "You are pretty incredible yourself, Sweetheart."
"You know if I were young and impressionable..." Alexis says as she plants a kiss on his chin. "I'd probably think I was in love with you right now."
"Good thing you aren't young and impressionable..." Sonny replies as he trails soft kisses along the ridge of her chin. "Wouldn't want you to mistake great sex for being in love."
"I'm SO glad to hear you say that." Alexis rolls on top of him. "The last thing I need in my life is a heavy emotional entanglement. Great sex I can handle, but..."
"But not a hot and heavy love affair," Sonny finishes for her. "We seem to be in synch, Counselor. I've had enough of hot and heavy to last a life time. Now enough talk..."
......... "You know I was such a fool to think I wouldn't fall in love with him," Alexis murmurs at her now sleeping newborn son. And Sonny wouldn't be dead, her conscience reminds her. Unable to stop herself, she remembers the night Sonny died.
......... Luke, Sonny, Alexis and Laura banter after the play, 'You Can't Take It With You'.
"Well, shall we continue the party back at the club?" Luke suggests. "I feel like I'm just warming up."
Sonny and Alexis put their arms around each other. "What do you think? Shall we?" Sonny asks.
Alexis nods joyfully. "Yes!"
"Okay," Laura replies. "But I want to call Lucky first and tell him we're going to be late." Laura leaves to use one of the lobby phones.
Luke pulls out a cigar. "Let's wait for Laura outside."
"Sure thing," Sonny says, walking hand in hand with Alexis as they follow Luke outside. Luke lights up his cigar.
"How can you smoke those awful things, Luke?" Alexis complains, fanning the air in front of her teasingly.
Just as Luke is about to respond a black car drives by. The back seat window opens, spraying bullets at them. Luke is hit several times and falls to the ground. Sonny pushes Alexis behind him taking the bullets aimed for her. Alexis feels a burning sensation in her elbow after hearing the ping of a bullet ricochet off of the wall.
Laura hears the gunfire while she is on the phone to Lucky. She watches in horror as Luke takes several hits. She drops the phone." Oh my God! LUKE!!!" She rushes out of the theater to be at his side.
The gunshots ended as quickly as they began. Alexis grabs Sonny as he falls to the ground. She cradles his head in her lap. He is bleeding everywhere. As she tries to stop the bleeding her red dress grows dark with her husband's blood. It is fruitless.
"Sonny! Just hold on honey! Help is on the way." Alexis starts to cry. She notices Jason running over from Sonny's limo. He's on the cell phone.
Sonny strains to talk to Alexis. "Darling, Tell me.... you and the kid.... okay?"
Alexis talks to Sonny through her tears. "Yes, honey. Both of us are fine. We didn't get hurt. You saved us. And you'll be just fine. I know it. You hold on..." Alexis's voice cracks.
Jason whispers to Alexis as he kneels by Sonny trying to staunch the flow of blood. "The paramedics are on their way." Jason's face looks grim.
Sonny grows weaker by the second. "Baby, I'm done. All that matters now is you and the baby...."
"We're going to be just fine," Alexis reassures him. "I wouldn't lie about that. But we need you, Sonny. You have to hold on. You have to ...." She rubs her face against his as she cries.
"You'll be just fine," Sonny replies. "You will be a wonderful mother, Alexis. Our child will be so lucky. Jason... ?"
Jason pipes up. "I'm here, Sonny. You just hold on, okay? I can hear the sirens now."
Sonny struggles valiantly to speak. "Promise.... take care of Alexis? Protect her and the baby?"
Jason's face is covered with tears and he promises, "I swear, Sonny. With my life."
Sonny's face is peaceful, almost happy as he raises his hand one last time to brush Alexis's hair away from her face. "I love you, Alexis."
And then Sonny is gone. Jason tries for a pulse and can't find one. Alexis puts her head on his chest and sobs. Jason begins to cry as he comforts her.
.......... Stone starts to yowl in protest from Alexis squeezing him too tightly. Loosening her hold slightly, she looks down at him with tears streaming down her face. "I should have stayed away from him, Stone. He'd be alive today if I'd just stayed away from him."
Chapter 100 Complications
At Kelly's diner the next day, Laura comes in to pick up sandwiches for her lunch with Alexis. She walks up to the lunch counter where Carly is serving customers. "Hey Carly, you seem to be doing a good business these days," She says with a smile.
"Thanks," Carly replies as she pours a cup of coffee for Benny who's sitting at the counter. "Things have been going pretty well... the new security system seems to be doing the trick. How's Lulu? I haven't seen her in ages."
"She's doing better. She just started kindergarten and she's very excited." Laura greets Benny. "Hi Benny, this is a surprise! What are you doing here? This is not your usual haunt."
Benny gives her a warm smile. "Hello, Mrs Spencer. I guess I haven't seen you since I moved in here."
"Laura, I'll go get your sandwiches now," Carly pipes in. "I'll be right back."
"Thanks Carly." Laura raises an eyebrow at Benny. "You? Living here? I'd love to hear the story behind that."
Just then Monica breezes in. "Hi, Laura! This is a pleasant surprise!"
Monica and Laura hug as Laura says, "It's good to see you. I've been meaning to call you for weeks now, but it's been one thing after another."
"Don't I know it!" Monica says, rolling her eyes. "Let's get together for lunch or dinner. I really want to catch up."
Carly returns from the kitchen and looks wary at the sight of Monica. "Uh, Laura? I have your sandwiches."
Monica glowers at Carly while Carly and Laura exchange sandwiches for money. "Are you free for dinner tonight, Laura? I could have Cook fix us something."
"Thanks again, Carly. You take care. " Laura gives Carly a quick hug and turns to Monica. "Actually, that would be perfect. Maybe we could eat some place private?"
Monica nods. "I think that can be arranged. I'll call you later." Laura departs, leaving Monica and Carly glaring at each other and Benny looking on with curiosity.
"Is there something I can do for you, Mrs Quartermaine?" Carly says stiffly. "If not, I REALLY have to get back to work."
"I want to know what the HELL you think you're doing interfering in one of my children's lives again!" Monica bursts out.
Carly's eyes flash as she defends herself. "I'm not! Emily came to ME for a job and a place to live. That's all there is to our arrangement. You can't blame me because your daughter wanted to move out. And I don't appreciate your accusing tone."
Monica advances on her, her eyes glittering dangerously. "I don't give a DAMN whether you appreciate it or not! I thought I made it clear last time if you ever harmed one of my children again, there would be hell to pay. Well guess what? You've crossed the line."
"I've done nothing to Emily, I swear!" Carly backs up slightly. "I'd NEVER hurt Emily. She's a sweet kid."
"And you said you and AJ were great friends the last time you pulled a stunt! Don't you dare play innocent with me, you lying tramp!" Monica sneers at her. "I know exactly what you're capable of."
"Mom?" Emily says, coming into the diner from outside. "What's going on?"
Monica backs off, turning to smile at Emily. "I'm just having a friendly chat with your boss and landlord, Sweetie."
"It didn't sound very friendly to me," Emily replies doubtfully, looking at Carly who has a false smile pasted on her face.
"Don't worry about it, Honey." Monica gives her daughter one of her brilliant smiles. "I just came by to see if you'd have lunch with me. Please say yes."
Emily shrugs. "Uh, sure. We could do that, but you don't want to eat here, do you?"
"No, I think you probably eat enough of Kelly's food while you're living and working here." Monica puts an arm around Emily's shoulders, turning to shoot a warning glare at Carly one last time. "How about the Outback?"
Carly watches with mounting fury as Monica walks Emily out. "That ... that bitch!" She says through gritted teeth.
Benny comes up behind her. "She doesn't seem to like you very much. So what did you do to her son, anyway?"
Carly turns toward him, her face clouded with shame. "Something so horrible, that if I told you, you'd hate me."
Alexis ushers Laura in. "Oh good, sandwiches from Kelly's. I'm famished."
"So where is the little guy?" Laura looks around hopefully as she hands the sandwiches over to Alexis.
Alexis puts the sandwiches on the table and heads towards the kitchen. "He's in his bassinet in my bedroom. Feel free to go get him."
"I should probably leave him alone to sleep, but I just have to see him..." Laura heads toward the bedroom.
A few minutes later, Alexis and Laura meet at the sofa, Laura holding Stone and Alexis holding glasses and a jug of milk. "Oh, I should have asked you what you wanted to drink..."
Laura looks up briefly, then returns her gaze to Stone. "Milk is great, Thanks. You know, I think he's cuter than he was the first time I held him. I love babies at this age... actually I love them at all their stages."
"You sound almost wistful..." Alexis comments before taking a bite of her sandwich. "Are you sorry that you and Luke didn't have more?"
Laura bites her lip, evading the question. "Luke was happy with just two children... Oh! I have a present for you..." She reaches into her large purse and pulls out a gift wrapped box. "Open it."
Alexis lights up with anticipation as she opens the gift. "I love presents!" She pulls out a baby size black leather jacket. "Oh Laura! It's perfect!" Alexis exclaims. "You know this has to be the most original gift I've gotten. Perfect for Stone. I have this feeling he's going to be wearing a lot of these as he's growing up."
Laura grins. "I figured he would be. I considered buying him a mini-suit so he'd look like his daddy, but I thought he'd hate me when he got older. And I plan to be his favorite Auntie." She looks down into Stone's serious eyes and coos at him. "Can you say Auntie Laura? Hmmm? Say it with me... AAAUNNTTIEE LAUUURRAA. Oh well, you'll get it eventually. You're still busy figuring out the important stuff like eating and sleeping, aren't ya, little guy?"
Alexis laughs. "Thank you, Laura. I can't wait to see Stefan's reaction when he sees Stone in this jacket. He's going to flip. That alone will be worth it."
Laura continues to talk to Stone. "And I'm sure Uncle Jason will want to take you out on the town in it and show you off. Yes, he will." Stone starts to squirm in her arms. "Oh, I think you want your mama."
Alexis takes Stone from Laura and settles him into nurse. "Yes, and he's overdue for his feeding." She looks up and notices the rings under Laura's eyes for the first time. "Are you okay? You look tired and worried."
Laura leans back with a sigh, her sandwich and glass of milk unconsumed. "Is it that obvious?"
"I'm getting to know the signs pretty well... so can I do anything to help?"
"I think I'm in one of the biggest messes of my whole life and I have no idea how to handle it. Anyway I look at it, people get hurt, really hurt." Laura covers her face with her hands. "I almost wish I could just disappear."
Alexis frowns. "This must be pretty serious. Can you tell me about it?"
"I probably shouldn't..." Laura pauses for several moments, torn as to what to do. Finally she gives in. "I'm pregnant... and it's Stefan's."
Alexis mouth hangs open, then shuts. She is thankful she's sitting down because she's sure she would have fallen over from the shock. "How?.. Silly question.. Does Stefan know?"
"Yes, I told him as soon as I was sure."
"Good, because I wouldn't be able to keep this from him...you aren't going to have an abortion, are you?" Alexis asks as soon as the horrible thought occurs to her.
"No, I could never do that." Laura covers her stomach reflexively. "You know a small part of me is thrilled that I'm pregnant. I love being a mother and I know, no matter the circumstances, I can fill this child's life with love. But then I think of Lucky...and the mess that's my life. I'm just not sure how I can cope with it right now."
Alexis looks at Laura carefully. "You'll marry Stefan. There's no other way, Laura. Have you accepted his proposal yet?"
"He hasn't asked... I didn't give him a chance to." Laura gets up and walks to the window on the pretense of gazing at the scenery. "I don't know what I'll say if and when he does. To be honest, I've been so overwhelmed with the news, the thought didn't even occur to me."
"He will," Alexis say definitively. "It's a matter of when, and you can assume it will be very soon. Cassadine children aren't born out of wedlock if it can be avoided, Laura. You know that."
Laura shakes her head. "I never thought in a million years I'd be facing these choices. Marry Stefan when I don't love him so our child will grow up with two parents; be a single parent and wage a constant battle with Stefan over the raising of our child; or lose custody." Her throat constricts at the thought. "I can't lose another child."
"You are jumping ahead, Laura," Alexis reminds her gently. "I think you and Stefan would agree that a child with two loving parents who are united in the raising of it is preferable to anything else. Putting everything else aside, Stefan is a devoted and loving parent. Don't forget he brought Nikolas to Port Charles so you two could have a relationship."
"I know, I know." Laura looks at Alexis appreciatively. "Thanks for the advice. I have a lot to think about." Laura retrieves her coat and purse and prepares to leave. "Don't get up, I'll see myself out. Give Stone a kiss for me when he wakes up."
Laura lets herself out. Alexis looks down at a sleeping Stone. "I'm so glad our life is simple, Stone. Although I'd give all the complications in the world to have your daddy alive."
A knock at the door interrupts her. Laying Stone gently on the couch, she rises to answer the door. She finds Stefan standing there. "Shssh, Stone is sleeping. Come on in."
"Should I come at a better time?" Stefan whispers, as the thought occurs to him that he might be inconveniencing her.
"No, it's fine." Alexis lifts Stone off the couch. "I'm just going to put him back in his bassinet, I'll be right back. Make yourself at home."
Stefan sits, noticing the tiny leather jacket on the coffee table. He picks it up from the shoulders, inspecting it with a measure of disdain and fascination.
"You like it? Laura could probably find one in your size," Alexis jokes.
"I wasn't aware that 'leather jackets' came in such a small size." Stefan lays it carefully in the gift box. "And I would have thought Laura would be more.... practical."
"I'm sure Laura knew I've had my fill of practical clothes. And I think it's adorable." Alexis begins to clean up the food from the coffee table. "You must have met Laura in the elevator. She left just moments before you arrived."
"I waited until she left to make myself known. I knew she would not want me hovering about her." Stefan studies Alexis' guarded expression. "She told you."
"Yes, she couldn't seem to help herself." Alexis looks sad for a moment. "I imagine most of her friends and family wouldn't be real receptive to hearing the news. She's in sore need of a neutral friend now."
Stefan nods somberly. "And I am pleased you can be of support to her. Though you aren't exactly neutral. How is she?"
"Distraught, confused, overwhelmed," Alexis replies. "How are you handling it?"
"I imagine I'm feeling everything any expectant father would feel. Thrilled, terrified." Stefan pauses for a moment. "And I am not sure how to proceed with Laura. She is so easily frightened."
"And with good reason. Look what happened with her first born." Alexis puts a hand on Stefan's arm as he starts to protest. "Now I know it wasn't all your fault, but those feelings just don't go away for her. She's afraid you might take this child away from her."
Stefan sags slightly. "Yes, I can see how she would fear that. That is the last thing I would want for any of us. I will have to find a way to reassure her that is not my intention, and find a way to convince her to marry me."
Alexis hugs him. "Congratulations on the baby, Stefan. And I have every confidence you will find a way to bring Laura around." She pats his back lovingly. "And I can't wait to buy your little one a little leather jacket too."
