Chapter 102

"You what ?" Brenda asked hoarsely.
"Brenda, please, just listen to me. When I came to town I had no idea what he
was up to. I was just supposed to meet up with Ned and make a business deal
with him and meet you. I didn't know anything about a kidnapping."
Brenda grabbed Stone and stood up, rushing towards the door.
"I don't believe you. You're a liar"
"Brenda, i'm sorry."
Brenda looked at him angrily.
"Sorry doesn't cut it. My son was missing and it was your fault the whole
time. I blamed Sonny for it. All because you owed some guy a favor. I thought
you were my friend."
Kyle tried to stop her from leaving.
"Get out of my way."
"I am your friend, I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm so sorry but its over now.
You have your son back. He's safe and no one was hurt."
"No one was hurt ?" 
"There was a big shootout at the warehouse. Sonny was shot. Your boss is dead
and his bodyguards are in jail. One of them is dead."
Brenda looked stunned as she realized something.
"You knew, didn't you ?"
Kyle looked at her.
"Knew what ?"
"Where they were keeping my son."   
Kyle looked down.
"Not at first. I had no clue that he was behind this until after Jameson had
already taken him. I went to where he was staying to see if he had him. I
heard him there. Brenda, I swear that he was okay. If he hadn't been I would
have taken him out of there right away. They said that they were going to give
him back. "
"They said so ? What if they were lying ? Huh ? What if they were lying and
they took him away ? I could have lost my son forever all because of you."
"Bren-"
Brenda cut him off by a deadly look.
"Stay away from me. Don't even come near me or my son again or you'll be
sorry. I'm leaving. "
Brenda held Stone closer to her and opened the door to leave before shooting
Kyle one last look of disgust.

It seemed like an eternity before the valet drove her car up to the front of
the hotel.
She settled Stone in his car seat and drove off. A short while later she
reached her destination.

Luke's

Brenda walked up to the apartment above Luke's where she and Sonny had their
cohabitation period. Despite all their fights their, their ugly breakup and
the almost reunion, it was one of the best times of her life. She wiped the
tears from her eyes and cleared her throat
.She needed some time to think and she didn't want Stone to be out with her
alone in the cold. She'd leave him with Mike for the afternoon while she
thought things through.
She hesitated momentarily before knocking. It felt strange being so formal at
the place she had called home and the place that Sonny's father lived.
A woman answered the door.
"Hello, may I help you ?" She asked with an Irish accent.
"Um, is Mike here ?" 
The woman looked at Stone and seemed to recognize him.
"Oh, of course. You must be Brenda. Come in. Mike went downstairs to get
something but he should be back soon."
Brenda walked into the apartment.
"How do you know me ?"
The woman smiled.
"I think everyone knows who you are. I mean Mike talks about you a lot. He
loves you like a daughter. And he is always bragging about his darling
grandson here. I heard about what happened with Stone. I'm glad he is back
where he belongs. He was in my prayers."
Brenda smiled.
"Thank you. So, how do you know Mike ?"
The woman laughed.
"Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Mary Scanlon. I work at General Hospital. I was
walking through the park one afternoon and I saw Mike with this cute little
guy and he looked so helpless so I decided to give him a hand."
"But Mike's great with kids, why-"
"No sweetie, Mike is great with Stone. He thought he could attract more woman
with this cute little face. Personally, it was Mike's bad jokes that drew me
in."
They both laughed.
"I know what you mean."
Mike walked through the front door whistling to himself. 
"Mary, I...Hi Brenda. I didn't know you were coming by."
"I just wanted to see if you could watch Stone for the afternoon. I know you
probably planned on going over to see Sonny later but you could take Stone
with you."
Brenda glanced at both Mike and Mary."You know what, I probably should have
called, if you're busy then I can find someone else."
Mike took Stone out of Brenda's arms and started playing with him.
"No, I'd love to spend sometime with my grandson here. I see you've met Mary."
Brenda nodded happily.
"She told me how you guys met. I didn't know you were using my son to pick up
women Mike."    
Mike smiled sheepishly.
"Just this one. She was a little stubborn. I think she fell for Stone faster
then she did me."
They all laughed.
"Well, I had better get going. I have to drop by the house to see the boys.
Bye Mike. Brenda, it was a pleasure."
Mike kissed Mary on the cheek and she left.
"Thanks for taking him. I just need some time alone."
Mike set Stone down and looked at Brenda with concern.
"Are you okay ? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine. Its just that a lot has happened and I need to work some things
out. I need to spend some time alone. Robin is going to be with Jason at his
penthouse all day so you can leave Stone with Sonny and i'll go pick him up
later."
"Any special reason ?" Mike asked
Brenda smiled slightly.
"You know me well. Yes, I think its time that Sonny and I had a talk. A real
one without any yelling or anything."
"May I ask why ?"
"I can't give you an answer right away. I'm still not sure of the answer but I
will soon."
Brenda left Luke's after kissing Stone goodbye and walked towards the docks
She sat at their bench and reminisced
 
Sonny's penthouse

Jason has brought Sonny home. Robin ran to her house to run some errands but
has returned. Mike has just arrived with Stone.
"Hey Mike." Jason opened the door for Mike and Robin smiled at them.
"Hi."
"Hi Jason. Robin. Sonny, I heard that you got out of the hospital. I'm glad
you're okay."
Sonny was sitting on the couch.
"Yeah, I was going to call you later. Sorry."
"Its okay. I saw Brenda and she told me."
Sonny nodded.
"What are you doing with Stone ?"
Robin took Stone and put him down on the couch next to Sonny and sat on the
other side of them on the couch.
"Brenda wanted me to watch him for the afternoon. She said that I could bring
him to see you. She was going to pick him up later."
Sonny looked away sadly.
"Jason, can you run upstairs and help me get get Stone's play pin from
upstairs. I think Stone wants to play with his toys."
Jason and Robin went upstairs, leaving Mile and Sonny alone.
"She doesn't want to see me, does she ?" Sonny said huskily
"That's not what I said."
"You didn't have to. Brenda hates me. I pushed too hard. I hurt her too much
and I can't possible be forgiven."
Mike walked closer to Sonny and Stone who was sitting in his lap and mumbling
in baby talk
"I remember you saying me one time that Brenda was a very forgiving woman with
a big heart."
"Yes, she is but I broke her heart too many times. I can't do it anymore."
"Do what ? Love her ? Allow yourself to be happy ?"
"Not at Brenda's expense ! "
"It's not at Brenda's expense. You are her happiness. You make her happy."
"Did Brenda tell you this ?"
"She didn't have to. I know. I saw her Michael. She said that she needed some
time to think some things over. She said that she would be coming here later
to talk to you. It sounded serious."
"I'm scared Mike. What if she tells me that she doesn't love me anymore, that
we'll never be together again. Or worse, she takes Stone and leaves. I'll
never see them again. They're my family."
Sonny looked like he was about to cry and Mike tried to comfort his son.
"Michael, you can't think like that. You have to fight to fight for your
family."
"Maybe its too late Mike. I can't. I can't fight anymore."
"Its never too late Michael. You just have to want it." 

 Chapter 103

Sonny sat in one of the upstairs guest rooms which he had turned into his
son's room. He had set up a nursery for him. He had played with Stone for
hours. He had finally tuckered out and went down for a nap. Stone was curled
up in his crib with his favorite toy, clutching his blanket. He looked so
small yet precious. Sonny could've sat there for hours watching his son sleep.
He had missed out on a lot already and he didn't plan on missing anymore.
Sonny couldn't wait for the holidays so he could shower his son with presents.
He really did have something to celebrate this year, even if he didn't have
Brenda.
Their son looked like him but he had traces of Brenda in him. He couldn't help
thinking of her when he looked at their son. Their son. He still couldn't
believe it. He'd always wanted to be a family with Brenda but it wasn't
supposed to be like this, he thought to himself as he sat in the empty
penthouse. Mike had left for the evening after much prodding on his part.
Jason and Robin went across the hall for some time alone. 
 
Jason's new penthouse,

Jason and Robin were sitting on the couch in the living room. The place looked
completely different and fully furnished by Robin.
"So, how do you like it ?" Robin asked as Jason glanced around the place.
Jason shrugged. It was just a bunch of furniture to him
"It's nice."
She smiled
"That's it ?"
Jason smiled too.
"I like it. When did you do all this ?"
"I didn't really. I just Renaldo how to arrange everything and he set it all
up."
"Is this the same stuff that we picked out of the store ?"
"Yes, why ?"
"It looks different."
 "I had the walls painted. I didn't think you'd like it too bright either so I
got some new curtains."
"You did all this in less than a week ?"
"It helped keep my mind off of Sonny and Brenda. I'm worried about them."
Robin admitted as she rested her head on Jason's shoulder.
"I know you are but I think that they're going to be okay. So, what do you
want to do tonight ?"
Robin sat up and looked at Jason.
"You don't have business to take care of ?"
"No, we have the whole night to ourselves."
"Good, we can make dinner and just relax."
"Sounds good. Why don't I make us some dinner tonight ?"
Robin looked at him incredulously.
"You're going to cook ?"
"I thought i'd try it. I watched Sonny do it so it shouldn't be that hard,
right ?"
They both laughed.
"He actually let you in his kitchen ? He never lets anyone in there especially
Brenda and Mike. I'm impressed. You'll have to cook for me sometime but not
tonight. We don't have any groceries yet unless you want to go back over to
Sonny's. He'd probably like the company."
Jason shook his head.
"No, Sonny said he wanted us to go out and have fun. He wants to be alone. He
wouldn't want to see us."
Robin agreed.
"You're probably right but lets just drop in and see if he needs anything like
dinner."
"Let's go."
Renaldo was standing guard.
"Boss, Sonny said that he didn't want to be disturbed tonight."
"We were just going to check on him." Robin said.
"I know. Sonny said that you would. He said that he would be fine. I had some
food be delivered for his dinner but if you insist I can see if..."
Jason turned to Robin.
"No, its okay. Lets go out for dinner. Brenda should be here soon to pick up
Stone."
"I don't want to leave Sonny alone then."
Robin smiled.
"He won't be. I have a good feeling about tonight."
Hand in hand they walked onto the elevator.



Chapter 104

Brenda smiled to herself as she drove past a billboard with a red Porsche on
it. It instantly brought back memories of that Valentine's Day in the car
dealership.
Sonny and her had flirted like crazy that day. She should have known the
second that he smiled at her that it was the beginning of something
incredible.

 “I never saw a beautiful brunette in a red convertible that I did 
not want to get to know better.”

Brenda drove past the P.C Hotel. Their first official date. She was sitting at
a table with Sonny and she could barely control herself. He looked so hot.
Brenda sighed and turned on the car radio. She smiled wryly to herself as she
recognized Ned's song come on.

Raindrops on the windows
Must be the angels crying
And everytime the wind blows
I feel the whole world sighing
I think I'm going to wake up
>From this bad dream
When the morning comes
There's just one thing I need

 “You are a cool one, I have to give you that. Like lemonade on a hot 
summer day. How come you're not afraid, little girl?”
 “So far, I haven't seen any reason to be afraid.”
 “Well, if you had any sense you'd run for you life.”

I wanna see the love back in your eyes
I wanna feel your touch again back in my life
Baby, I've been so lost and I won't see the light
Till I see the love in your eyes
 
“What are you trying to say to me? You know, I don’t scare easily. In 
fact, I have the tendency to do whatever it is I’m warned against.”

Lonely conversations with just the moon to hear me
Everywhere I see reflections of life without you near me
Girl, I'm gonna do it
Whatever it takes
Only one thing I need to give me the faith

Brenda laughed to herself.
"I'm still trying to figure out if that was such a smart thing to do. Maybe I
should have listened to everyone." She whispered to herself.

I wanna see the love back in your eyes
I wanna feel your touch again back in my life
Baby, I've been so lost and I won't see the light
Till I see the love in your eyes
Till the love is back in your eyes

"You are important. And tomorrow, when the sun comes up, we'll still be 
who we are - except without the loneliness... I don't need to open a bottle. I
can drink from your eyes...Is it enough to say that you make the blood in my
veins so hot that I can barely touch my own skin? I have never wanted another
woman as much as I want you...It's never too late...I just can't seem to help
myself with you.. I want to adore you and I want to make you 
happy." 

Maybe not, she thought to herself.
She thought of another Valentine's Day. She and Sonny had spent a beautiful
night of lovemaking in their apartment above Luke's. Together.

Trying to remember what I know I should forget
Trying to forget her but I really haven't yet
Things go wrong
Things go wrong
Trying to remember what it was I said you done
Really doesn't matter cause you're still my only one
Things go wrong
Things go wrong

"Anyone can sling bull. That doesn't mean you can count on them. What 
I'm trying to say is I want to take care of you, Brenda. I told you that 
in Puerto Rico, and I'm telling you that now. No matter what happens, 
I'm here for you."

I know that love can sometimes change
But in my heart I feel the same
Don't be so quick to say we're through
Things go wrong, but I still love you
Things go wrong
Things go wrong

Brenda smiled to herself. Sonny was so persistent and stubborn in his quest to
get her back. In her heart there was never a question of whether she loved him
or not, whether she wanted to be with him. She would never stop. It was always
a question of if they could be together. Without hurting each other.

Don't tell me that your love has changed
Don't tell me it can't be the same
Don't be so quick to say we're through
Things go wrong, but I still love you
I still love you
I still love you
I still love you.

"... It's not over just because you say it's over. It ends when you don't 
care anymore. You still care, I can see it in your eyes...Come here listen to
me. No, no. You want me to tell you? You want to 
hear it? You want me to tell you? Here it is. I love you, and you love 
me...I'd start thinking how great we were together. And I want you back..."


"...If you don't learn from your mistakes, you repeat them and life is too 
short, wasting time is like laughing in God's face. And...I don't want 
to do that, anymore, Brenda, not when it comes to us...I don't want to 
waste any more time...I want to be honest with you...it's weird the way love
gets all 
warped...How we can end up hurting the one person you would cut your arm 
off to protect...For about five seconds. That's all it took me to know that I
wanted to 
spend the rest of my life with you... If we had grown old together, when you
had lines on your face and gray in your hair, you'd still be the most perfect
thing in the world to me..."

Brenda wiped the tears that had formed in her eyes away. 
God, I want that so much. To grow old with you. To raise our son together. Our
family. I want it all. I don't want to waste anymore time, Brenda thought to
herself.

"...the hard part is I can't take it back…all the fighting, everything, you 
know, that I said to you...I'm not ready for it because I'll never have a
chance to love you like I should have...Nothing and I mean nothing, has been
stronger than us. I couldn't fight it then, I can't fight it now...I've had a
lot of things happen to me Brenda, good, bad, whatever but this has gotta be
the best..."

She felt her heart beat faster as she pulled into the garage of Sonny's
building. Their heart. Beating as one as it should be.
Brenda closed her eyes for a few seconds as something in her head clicked.
She made her decision. Please let this be the right one, she silently
whispered to herself as she got out of the car. 

There were butterflies in her stomach as she got in the elevator and hit the
button for Sonny's floor.
She went to the top floor and got off the elevator.
The guard let her in per Sonny's orders. She went inside the penthouse and
walked upstairs when she didn't see Sonny.
She heard music playing so she followed the sound to the end of the hall.
She looked in the room. It was a baeutiful nursery. Stone was asleep in his
criib and Sonny was watching him.
"You love watching him sleep, don't you ?"
Sonny looked up when she spoke.
"I'll never get tired of it." 
"Hi"
"Hi, I didn't hear you come in."
"Renaldo let me in. Besides you shouldn't be walking around that much anyway."
"Still trying to be my nurse huh ? I'm fine."
Brenda nodded and walked to Stone's crib.
"This room is nice. Did you do it all yourself ?"
"No, Robin helped."
"Oh."
"What's wrong ?"
Brenda sighed
"What makes you think something is wrong ?"
"You told Mike that you needed to think about something, you show up here late
and not yourself. What's wrong ?"
Sonny knew her so well, too well.
Brenda tucked Stone in tighter with his blanket before returning her gaze to
Sonny.
"We have to talk." She said trying to keep her voice even.

Chapter  105~^~^~^~^~~^~~~^

Sonny could feel a lump forming in his throat. He could tell that Brenda had
finally made a choice. Something that he kept pushing for but was now scared
to hear. What if Brenda had decided that she didn't want him anymore, that he
had hurt her too much and she couldn't forgive him. 
Brenda made sure Stone was sound asleep and okay before she turned the monitor
on and turned to Sonny.
"He'll probably be asleep for the next few hours and I don't want to disturb
him, can we go into another room and talk ?"
Sonny silently nodded and walked out of the room.
Brenda followed him into him downstairs. She watched him pour a drink. She
could tell that something was bothering him. She wanted to go to him and make
it all go away but couldn't. Not until they had a long talk. It might send a
wrong message and complicate the already tedious situation. Brenda went over
to the couch and sat down. Sonny held his drink and sat down on the other
couch while holding his chest with the other hand.
Brenda saw this and moved closer to him.
"Are you okay ? Do you want me to get you something ? Maybe you shouldn't have
left the hospital so soon. I-"
Sonny interrupted her.
"I'm fine. It just hurts when I move sometimes."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe you should go lie down or something. Do you have your
medication ?"
Sonny stopped himself from smiling.
"Brenda, I'm fine. I already took my medication. Now, I love it when you play
nurse to me but its not necessary. You wanted to talk, so talk."
Brenda nervously pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Oh, well I've been thinking you know..about everything...mostly about what
you've been saying but more importantly ...what we feel. That's all that
really counts right ?"
Sonny nodded, not really sure where she was going with this.
"That's what I've always said. At least you listen."
"I always listen to what you say. As long as its the truth."
Sonny winced in pain mockingly.
"Ouch."
"I'm sorry. I didn't come here to be cruel."
"Why did you come here ?" 
"For this." 
Brenda moved closer him so that they were inches apart and kissed him with all
that saved passion and love that she had for him. It was an explosive kiss
that left them both breathless and wanting more. He finally pulled away.
"What's wrong ?" Brenda asked worried.
"Nothing. It's just that...I've waited for this a long time. To feel your lips
on mine. To have you next to me. To hold you in my arms. I'm just not sure
what this means."
Brenda paled and suddenly anger flashed in her eyes.
She moved away from him.
"What do you mean by that ? You've been after me ever since you got back.
Saying that we should be together. How we're a family and that you were going
to make everything up to me. Did you change your mind or are you playing games
with me ?"
She stood up in a huff. Sonny watched her and got up too. She looked even more
beautiful when she was angry. He resisted the urge to grab her and show her
how wrong she was Instead he rubbed his face and spoke reassuringly.
"I don't play games, remember ? I just want to know why the sudden turn
around. You kept running away. What's with the change ?"
"So what ? I'm not aloud to change my mind ?"
"I never said that." 
"Then what are you saying ?" Brenda sighed as she sat back down. 
"I'm saying that I love you. With my whole heart and soul. I always have and
I've never stopped. I just keep making these decisions that always seem to
tear us apart. We somehow managed to find our way back. I wasn't sure that we
would this time. A lot has happened."
Brenda looked down at the floor.
"You're right. We have a son."
Sonny reached over and took her hand. She shifted her focus back to him.
"We share a child. A beautiful, handsome little boy who has his mother's nose
and his father's face and both of our stubborn streaks, unfortunately but that
isn't a reason to be together. I, above all people should know that."
Brenda remained silent as she watched him. She knew what he was thinking
about.
"I know what I've been saying but its wrong. We are a family and nothing will
change that. It doesn't matter if we live in the same house or the same town
or not. Nothing will change that."
"I know but what is a good reason to stay together ? We haven't been able to
keep us that way. What if we don't work out ? If we break up, where will that
leave Stone and our other kids, if we have them ?"
"It won't happen. I'll try my damnedest to keep you in my life. Hell, you are
my life."
"You can't guarantee that."
"Yes, I can. The only problems we have had are outside ones. They are all
gone. From this day on. No more lies, no more shoot outs, no more bad stuff.
Its just going to be you, me and our family forever."
Brenda smiled happily.
"I love you so much."
Sonny looked at her in shock.
"What ?"
""I love you. I never stopped. I never wanted to. I tried to get over you and
move on but I couldn't. You have my heart. Always."
Sonny smiled back and rested his forehead on hers.
"I just thought-"
"Well, that's what you get for thinking. So shut up and kiss me."
"Yes ma'am." 
For what seemed like an eternity they kissed. They couldn't get enough of each
other until they heard Stone's cries from upstairs.
"He's got some set of lungs." Sonny groaned.
"I know. I'll go check on him."
"I'll come with you."
Sonny slowly followed Brenda to Stone's nursery.
Stone was sitting up in his crib waiting for his parents to appear over. His
chocolate brown eyes were wide open. His dark curly hair was disheveled.
"Momma. Dadda."
His arms reached up, wanting to be held.
Brenda scooped him up.
"Sonny, did you hear that ?"
She looked from her son to Sonny who had tears in his eyes.
"Did he just say what I think he just said ?"
"Yeah, he called us his mommy and daddy. Is that what you said Stone ?"
The little boy just laughed.
"Someone her is having a good time teasing his parents."
"Tell me about it. Come on, we'll play go play with him since he's wide
awake."
All three of them stayed in the room and played together, like a real family.
For the next few weeks Sonny and Brenda got to know each other better and
rebuilt their once close bond. They became real good friends and often talked
for hours about nothing in particular. Brenda had originally stayed at the
penthouse to help take care of Sonny but ended up moving in. Robin had moved
in with Jason across the hall so she remained close to Brenda and Stone. It
was like one big family atmosphere. Lois came over often with Brooke. Ned
accepted Brenda's newfound relationship with Sonny and respected his role as
Stone's father. He had watched Sonny carefully and saw that he was a good
father and that Brenda was happy. Happier than she had been in a long time. 
Sonny was having a real good time with his family. Mike was over a lot and
Sonny was glad that he was around even though he wouldn't admit it.
In fact, Sonny even invited Mike over for Thanksgiving which was in a few
weeks.
He was going all out with making it the best holiday for everyone ever. Jason
and Robin and the rest of their family and friends were coming. One afternoon
Sonny was out with Stone and Mike, making some last minute preparations when
Brenda got up the nerve to pick up a phone and dial.
"Barrett Enterprises."
"Hi, can you connect me to Julia Barrett's office."
"Who may I say is calling ?" A female voice asked.
"Brenda, her sister."
"Please hold."
A minute later,
"Hello ?"
"Hey Jules, its me."
"Bren ?"
"The one and only. I'm sorry for not being in touch lately. A lot has happened
in the last few weeks."
"So I've heard Brenda. I've been trying to get in touch with you. I've left
tons of messages."
"I know. I've been meaning to get back to you."
"That's okay, so why are you calling ?"
"No special reason except I needed to tell you that I can't come to London for
Thanksgiving."
"What ? Why ? We planed this for months. Wait a minute, its not my nephew is
it ?"
"No, Stone is perfect in every way. Something came up."
"Oh, fine. Listen, i've got a meeting. Why don't I give you a call later."
"Um, you can't. See, I moved out of the cottage."
"When ?"
"Just a short while ago. I moved closer to the city. Its easier for me."
"So Robin is living by herself ?"
"No, Robin moved out too. Actually, she lives right by me."
"Oh, just give me your new number and address then."
"You know, I really can't do that yet. I just got-"
Brenda broke off when Sonny walked in with Stone followed by Mike. They were
arguing about something.
"You know Julia, I really do have to go. I'll talk to you soon, okay ?"
"Sure Brenda. Bye. Kiss my nephew for me."
"Will do. Bye."
Brenda breathed a sigh of relief before turning to Sonny.
"Hey honey." She said to Sonny as she took Stone.
"Hi Mike. What have my three favorite men been doing ?"
"Not much. Mostly fighting. Who was on the phone ?" Sonny asked as he tossed
his coat on the chair near the desk.
"Nobody. So what are you cooking up for Thanksgiving ?"

London,

Julia walked out of her office and stopped in front of her secretary's desk.
"Is something wrong Ms. Barrett ?"
"I hope not. Cancel my meetings for this week and book me on the next flight
to Port Charles, New York."
"Right away."
Julia had a bad feeling about her sister. The strange phone call from her just
confirmed it. Brenda was doing something she wouldn't approve of. She was
hiding something and was determined to stop her sister from making a big
mistake.



Continued











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