| New Challenges NOTE: This story picks up six months after Butterflies... Once I was a prisoner Lost inside myself With the world surrounding me Wandering through the misery But now I am free Alexis walked into the penthouse after a long day in court. Her feet were swollen and her back ached. She couldn't wait until the baby was born. She was tired of being tired all the time and not being able to see her feet. She took notice that the penthouse was awfully quiet. Too quiet. "Sonny?" she called heading for the kitchen. Alexis came out of the kitchen with a snack but no Sonny. She frowned as she opened the door. "Johnny, did Sonny mention anything to you about being late tonight?" Alexis asked becoming worried. Sonny was always home before she was and if he was going to be late, he always called. "No, sorry Lex, I’ve been with you all day and since Michael and Leticia are staying at Bobbie’s tonight he might be catching up on some paperwork or something. I’m sure he’ll be home soon, though.” "Thanks Johnny. Let me know if you hear from him." Alexis said, feeling a chill sweep through her. She closed the door and picked up the phone. She called the warehouse and was informed that he had already left for the day. "Where are you?" she whispered after not being able to reach on him on his cell phone. * * * * * Sonny sat down under a tree in the field where he had proposed to Alexis. He smiled at the memory. He knew she was probably worried about him, so he took out his phone, but he wasn't getting a signal. "Damn," Sonny whispered, putting the phone back into his jacket. He always came here to think and sort things through. He wasn't sure why she was haunting his dreams again after all this time. He was finally a peace with himself or so he thought. He closed his eyes as the memories of his mother flooded his mind and soul. Michael, I can't leave him. He’s my husband," Adela said, looking away from her son in shame. "Mama please, I can't stay here another day!" he yelled, angry at her and the world, determined to conquer it and make men like Deke pay for all the wrongs they have committed. "Where will you go?" she asked, terrified at the thought of her son being alone on the streets. "Anywhere is better than here!" he spat, reaching for his backpack. "Mama?" Adela shook her head in answer to his silent plea. Her destiny was with her husband. She believed that under all the anger he was a good man. She couldn't give up on him, not after he had given her so much. "Bye Mama. When I get a job, I'm coming back for you." "I'm sorry Mama!" Sonny whispered as his eyes filled with tears. He walked to the creek, which flowed steady and peaceful near the edge of the clearing. The water always brought him comfort. Sonny reached into his pocket and pulled out the pocket watch that had belonged to his grandfather. His mother had given it to him the day he left. He opened it and her smiling face greeted him. "I’m sorry I let you down. I’m sorry that I didn't come back for you in time,” Sonny whispered, choking back a sob and letting the familiar guilt consume him, the same way it did every time he thought of his mother. Sonny sat down on the grass at the edge of the stream, burying his face in his hands. He let the tears come for the first time in a very long time. He needed to let go of the guilt and anger he felt toward his mother. He cried and thought of all the people in his life that he had let down - his mother, Lily, Carly - he hadn't been able to save them but for the first time, he could see beyond the guilt. Sonny realized that some things stayed with you forever, the key was not letting those things consume you or hold you back from living. Despite the lingering streaks on his face from the tears and the redness of his eyes, Sonny smiled when he looked at his mother. He would be okay. Sonny finally realized that his mother had chosen to live the life that she had, in much the same way that he had chosen his life. He wasn't willing to give it up for anyone, not Carly or even Lily. He admitted that in so many ways, he was exactly like his mother, staying in a life that would only lead to death. But it was who he was. It was all he knew and Alexis loved him anyway. "You know Mama, I’m happy. I’m truly happy. For the first time in my life, I can actually see the future and I like what it holds for me. Alexis has given me so much love - unconditional love - the kind of love that doesn't come with strings. She loves me, in spite of who I am. And that scares me to death. I'm so afraid that if I marry her, she’ll die like Lily and Carly and I can’t lose her Mama. I can’t lose her," Sonny said, finally admitting his reasons for postponing the wedding. Sonny closed the watch and slid it back into his pocket. He knew how blessed he was to have Alexis at home waiting for him and he didn’t want to keep her waiting any longer. They had a wedding to plan. He wasn’t going to let his fears run his life any longer. Life was too short to put things off and he was tired of always having regrets. Alexis and their baby would not be one of them. You gave me a breath of life Unclouded my eyes With a sweet serenity Lighting a ray of hope for me And now I am free Free to live Free to laugh Free to soar Free to shine Free to give Free to love Free enough to fly * * * * * Alexis was pacing the living room when the door opened. She turned but was disappointed to find Mike. "Oh, it's only you!" Alexis said sadly. "What's wrong?" Mike asked, knowing a worried look when he saw one. "Have you talked to Sonny today?" Alexis asked desperately. "No, I haven't. What’s going on Alexis?" A sob escaped Alexis before she could control it. “Has something happened?" Mike asked, moving to Alexis to lend his support if she needed it. "I'm worried Mike. He’s always home by now and if for some reason he was going to be late, he would have called me," Alexis explained, trying to calm herself, remembering the doctor’s warning about keeping her blood pressure down. "I’m sure he just lost track of time," Mike tried to reassured her. "I'm just afraid that something has happened to him. I’ve called his cell phone, the warehouse and no one has seen him since noon!" Tears had broken free from her well built walls and she succumbed to a rare instance of emotional weakness. "Alexis you need to relax. Take some deep breaths. You can’t get all worked up like this, it isn't good for you or the baby." "I know,” Alexis agreed but couldn't stop her tears. Suddenly, they heard the door open and Alexis and Mike turned to see Sonny walk into the penthouse. Alexis and Sonny stared at each other as time seemed to be suspended. Alexis moved away from Mike and walked toward Sonny. "I was so worried," Alexis sobbed, throwing herself into his arms, holding on to him for dear life. "I'm sorry," Sonny whispered. His eyes fell on his father. "I’ll leave you alone," Mike excused himself, knowing that they needed to be alone with each other. Sonny nodded as Mike made his way to the door. Once she heard it close, her eyes sprang up to his. "Where were you?" "I didn't mean to worry you, baby," Sonny said, brushing away the tears from her cheeks. The thought that he had frightened her so much filled his heart with regret. “I thought..." Alexis paused, looking away from his face. "Shh," Sonny soothed, touching her chin to make her look into his eyes. "You’re not getting rid of me that easily. Remember, you promised me forever." Sonny kissed her, trying to assure her that he was fine and everything was going to alright. The feel of his lips upon hers, caused all the fear and worry to disappear, as her desires for him took over. She moaned as his hands slipped inside her blouse. Alexis pulled away slightly, looking into his eyes. She saw something new in them. "Want to tell me where you’ve been?" She pulled away from him completely now, so he couldn’t distract her. He watched her move to the couch and seat herself at one end. He smiled at her slight difficulty with the state of her body and his heart swelled with love for her and their unborn child. They were going to be a family. Everything was going to be just fine. "Not really," Sonny admitted finally. Alexis looked at him, holding his gaze. He could see the pain in her eyes and he didn't want to hurt her. "I went to my thinking place." Sonny joined her on the couch. "Oh," Alexis nodded in understanding. Sonny was surprised that she wasn’t asking more question. She was a lawyer after all and questions were her forte. But she always seemed to know when to push and when to give him the space he needed. "I just needed to be alone and to think about some things," Sonny said, pulling her against him. "About us?" Alexis asked, worried that he was having doubts about their relationship and the baby. "No. Well I'm always thinking about you," he added with a smile, as she blushed. He thought it was adorable that his love could still have that affect on her. "Sonny, are you trying to distract me?” Alexis asked coyly. "Is it working?" "You don't have to tell me why you needed to escape today, as long as you promise not to scare me like this again." "I promise. But I want you to know." Sonny kissed the top of her head. "I’ve been thinking about us and how many times we have postponed our wedding!" "Something has always come up," Alexis said, nervously. "Is that really the reason or have we been using that as an excuse to not get married because we’re both afraid?" "What do you mean?" "I was scared Alexis," Sonny whispered. Alexis grew very still in his arms. "Of what?" "I was afraid that marrying you would bring me one step closer to losing you." Alexis bit her lower lip. Truth be told she was just as frightened by the thought of getting married to Sonny. She loved him with all her heart and was having his baby. She was happier than she ever thought possible but a part of her believed that getting married would ruin the magic they had found. “You won't lose me," Alexis whispered, pushing away her own fears for now. "Promise me that you won’t ever stop loving me." Once I was all so alone Unsteady and cold But your love rained down upon me Washing away uncertainty But now I am free "Never. You promised me forever and I'm going to hold you to it." Alexis kissed him gently. The kiss was full of the passion and love they held in their hearts and souls for each other. "We really do need to set a wedding date," Sonny said, while Alexis tried to distract him with her roaming hands. "I thought we decided to wait until after the baby’s born. It's only a couple more months," Alexis reasoned. Sonny was about to protest but her kisses were driving him wild. He was happy knowing that she would always be there for him. Deep down in his soul, Sonny believed that the family he had tried so desperately to have in the past was finally coming true. Alexis wouldn't leave or look down on him for who he was. She was giving him the love and support that he never thought he deserved. For the first time in as long as he could remember, Sonny Corinthos was filled with hope. Song used is “I'm Free” by Mariah Carey The End |
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