CHAPTER 6

Several weeks have past since Ned and Alexis have gotten back together officially and found out they are having a baby girl that they decided to name, Kristen Nicole. Alexis has not been out much do to the fact that noone in Port Charles really knows that she's pregnant, most of the Quatermines. But that's all about to change. Sonny is not a client anymore. She told him that she is not going to lose Ned over someone like him and that Ned means to much to her to let her work with Sonny come between them, not to mention she don't want o live in danger anymore, not just for her but for her baby as well. She told him to find himselff another mod mouthpiece. (Sonny does know shes pregnant, they live across the hall for each other.) She is basically just doing little cases here and there she don't need any unwanted stress. She is now 6 1/2 months pregnant. Penthouse Ned and Alexis are going over some L&B contracts when there is a banging at the door. "Ned Ashton you open this door immendantly. I need to talk to you. it;s important" Edward yelled. "When isn't it important Grandfather" Ned yelled back.  Alexis looked at Ned with the look of horror. "Please don't answer that door.  Ned I am not ready to have insults thrown at me from him..Oh God I need a paper bag, better yet a body bag..Ned I'm gonna die! I've got to hide. I don't want Edward to know that I am pregnant. He..he..might think I did this just to get my claws into some of the Quatermine money nad stocks. Ned, I don't think I'm going to make it. I'm really not up to facing your family, I mean..hello.. I did run out of our wedding and now I am pregnant with your child and..and..well..you know I am not to high on your families favorites list right now. " Alexis finished and Ned was smiling at her "What are you smiling about. Your family doesn't like me Ned, and he's not coming in here. " Edward was still banging on the door "I know your in there, now you open up or I'll have hodulim over here open the door for me!!" Ned walked over to Alexis and sat down next to her on the couch. "Honey, my grandmother loves you, Em loves you to. So there some of my family does like you. Alexis, all that matters is that I love you. I can handle the family, but not alone. We will have to do this together. Remember we are "untouchables" You help me with my family and I help you with yours" Alexis looked like she was going to throw up right then. "Lex honey, what is it?" "Ned..what am I going to do when Helena finds out? She will try to kill me or better yet she'll try and kill Kristen. She will say that Kristen is just like her mother, a bastard of a bastard. She will say this baby is a disgrace to the Cassidine name and try to have her killed like she has tried with me all these years." Alexis began crying. Ned pulled Alexis into his arms. "Nothing is going to happen to you or Kristen. I bet my life ! on it!" Ned said as he kissed her forehead and squeezed her tighter. "Ned! Let me in!"  Edward continued to yell. "I better go let him in. He will find a way in here nad you know it" Ned went to get up from the couch, but Alexis pulled back down, Alexis was still holding his arm. "Please don't! I'll do anything. Just please don't let him in!" Ned looked at Alexis "Anything" he asked. She looked at him seductively as she shook her head yes. Finally Edward barged through the door "I told you had better let me in, before I.." he trailed off glancing at Ned and Alexis in a compromised position, then he noticed Alexis' growing stomach. "What in the hell have you done this time? You went and got this Cassidine women pregnant?! Do you not remember that she ran out of your wedding, Ned. Are you sure that baby is even yours! maybe thats why she didn't want to marry you, I mean she does like to play with those thugs and all! Ned, now you know she got pregnant just to trap you, She is going to use this baby to go after your ELQ shares. She did this on purpose! Her family disowned her,  now she trying to weasel her way into ours!! and I am not about to stay by and watch these Cassidines into our family" Edward shouted at Ned "Grandfather don't you dare come into my home..well Alexis' house and start throwing out insults at her. I want you to treat her with as much respect as you would Monica! Now is that understood! Alexis would never use an innocent child to try and still anyones money, unlike your ex-grand-daughter-in law, Carly!! Alexis don't care about things like that! Alexis is different, she is the most honest and loving person I know. She is the best thing that could have ever happened to me and our family and you know it! After Lois left I was empty and then Alexis came along and fill that empty place in my heart that I thought would never be filled again. I will not have you coming in here downing her every chance you get just because she is a Cassidine and that she got y! ou grandchildren's kidnappers of free. I call that being a damn good attorney. So if you don't have anything important to say then I guess you need to be going!" Ned yelled in Edwards face and looked at Alexis sitting on the couch her eyes filling with tears. Ned quickly walked over to her and put his arm around her and place a hand on her stomach. "Honey, are you okay? Is it the baby? Maybe you should go upstairs and lay down. All this is not good for yo or Kristen." Alexis spoke through her tears "You grandfathers right, Ned I am just a bastard Cassidine wanting to belong to a family, a real family. A family that loves one another and cares for them. My family only tries and kills and stabs you in the back whenever they feel it's nessary for there own good. Ned you grandfather loves you, that's why your grandfather is trying so hard to get you back a ELQ and back with your family. He loves you and he wants you near him and the family. My family just tries and kills one another. They don't even know what love is. Ned, you are probably better off without me. So listen to your gandfather, just forget about me, but I  will let you be apart of Kirsten's life, you are just better off without me" Ned looked at Alexis as if she had lost her mind. "Alexis honey, you do know what love is! You are not like your family! How many times have I got to tell you that. You are the most loving person I know. Who else would put up with me and my dysfunctional family, even my grumpy old grandfather. You even gave up Sonny, so that you and Kristen willbe safe! Alexis, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you and NO i am not better off without you. Do you know how many times after I walked out on you that I wanted so much to just say I am sorry, but I couldn't. I was a fool then and I am never goona let you lose me to my family. That's why Lois left with Brooke (Ned looked at Edward, who had a very sorry look on his face). But that's changed and I have changed and it's all because of you. I need you a! nd so does my family they just don't know it yet. Honey, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you." Ned said as he whipped away Alexis' tears. Edward cleared his throat as he began to speak "Alexis my dear, I am sorry for those things I said earlier. I know you a good person, you just got sucked into that mod stuff and I know tht you would never do such things as trying to steal ELQ from us. I just don't want to see my grandson hurt that's all. I saw the hurt on his face when you ran out of the church and all i wanted to do was run you down and make you realize that you mean so much to him and you hurt him so deeply. I love my family to much to have them hurt or taken for fools. I am sorry that I have upset you. I am happy about the little Kristen. I can't wait to hold her and tell her stories about her parents and the hell they have put us through (He said with a chuckle) I can't wait to tell Lila she's going to be a great-grandmother again. She will be so happy. I am also glad that you have came to your senses and got rid of those thugs, Sonny and Zander. (Alexis chuckled, knowing that Edward had been waiting for that day a long time!!) I want you to know..now this is hard for me to admit..but..I have always liked you. i know you can't tell, but I only pick at you cause well.. I love you, (Ned and Alexis both looked shocked to hear him say those words) just as if you were one of my own grandchildren( Alexis burst into a whole new set of tears) OH.. for cryingout loud, stop that.I don't mean to upset you agin" Edward walked over to Alexis and handed her his handkerchief. After Alexis finished whipping her tears she looked up at that old grumpy faced man and smiled "Edward, thank you for telling me that. it means so much to me to hear you say those things to me. I love you too. Thank you so much for loving me as if I was one of your own. You don't know how much that means to me. I promise you I will never hurt Ned again nor will I hurt ever your great-grand-daughte! r. I have  always wanted to belong to a family and now I finally got one, disfunctions and all. I have no intentions of ever letting any of you go you mean to much to me." Alexis stood from the couch and wrapped her arms around a surprised Edward, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. Ned looked on with love for both his grandfather and Alexis, the love of his life. Edward left and Ned made Alexis go upstairs to rest. A couple of hours have past and Ned is downstairs playing his guitar and singing as Alexis walked down the stairs and stopped at the bottom and listen to Ned sing.. Winter snow is falling down Children laughing all around Lights are turning on like a fairy tale come true Sitting by the fire we made You're the answer when I prayed I would find someone and baby I found you (Alexis slowly walked over to the couch and sat down as Ned continues to sing, now to her. She listened as if it was the first time he had ever sung to her) All I want is to hold you forever All I need is you more every day You saved my heart from being broken apart You gave your love away and I'm thankful every day for the gift (Ned looked at Alexis and put his guitar down a took he extended his hand to Alexis and pulled her off the couch and into his arms as he continued to sing to her as they danced) Watching as you softly sleep What I'd give if I could keep Just this moment if only time stood still But the colors fade away And the years will make us grey But baby in my eyes You'll still be beautiful (Alexis wrapped her arms around Ned's neck and Ned pulled her as close as he could, not ever wanting to let her go, he looked into her eyes as he sang to her. Alexis eyes were filled with tears) All I want is to hold you forever All I need is you more every day You saved my heart from being broken apart You gave your love away And I'm thankful every day for the gift All I want is to hold you forever All I need is you more every day You saved my heart from being broken apart You gave your love away I can't find the words to say That i'm thankful every day for the gift Ned held Alexis and they both just looked into each others eyes, neither wanting to let go. They just stood there still swaying to unheard music basking in the moment, letting the words he just sang over take them. "That was beautiful" was all Alexis said as Ned scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom where they made love, where there hearts, bodies and souls became one. Alexis laid her head on Ned's chest listening to his steady heartbeat, she lifted her head and looked deep into his eyes and said the words Ned thought he would never here her say "Ned Ashton, will you marry me?" Song: "The Gift" By Jim Brickman