| Chapter 10 He was working on almost no sleep, energy at a minimum (even with an extra protein shake) and a full heart and head. The person he expected to receive the most condemnation from had actually been the easiest on him and that disturbed him. He could deal with her emotions and anxiety, even her brown bags, but a calm and cool Alexis was almost new to him. His parents had given him an earful and then had come back for more. They could not understand his motives, perhaps in time they would. His friends, could he call them that now, Stefan, Marcus via telephone and Nikolas has berated him relentlessly. There was no understanding there; simple contempt was an emotion they all showed him. He would have to work hard to win back their trust and their friendship. He desperately needed their friendship, as they were his chosen family. The woman of their lives were a tad better, with the exception of his pal Gia. She had told him in no uncertain terms what was acceptable and what was not. His actions were not acceptable. He understood Gia though. She was similar in will to him, although they were dissimilar in most every other thing. CC had quietly asked for an explanation. He gave it to her on the phone privately, she chuckled softly. ''I can understand, but you will have to decide on your priorities my friend. I did and they were some of the best decisions of my life.'' He had seen the Cassadine family when he returned to Port Charles before he headed south to Puerto Rico. He had also read Alexis' letter to him. The closing caught him, as had their earlier conversation. She was the most forgiving and yet she was the one who had the most right to be angry. He couldn't leave Brenda, she did need him this one last time. He owed that to her and to her lover, now her husband. He had broken all rules of time to see that their problems were behind them and a new life was ahead of them. He had a long discussion with her husband and they settled numerous things, most basically his difficulties with trouble and the propensity to find it. Hopefully a calm life would be in all of their futures. Brenda also had been pleased about him, Alexis and the baby on the way. She had sincerely meant all the good wishes she verbalized to him. Neither harbored any false ideas of love between them, just a long and enduring friendship. She had also told him of her most recent tests and that no trace of her mother's illness had been found in her. That was a relief to all of them. He had given Brenda away in her hasty wedding the day prior. She had looked beautiful and happy. Now it was his turn to be happy. He had stopped in Port Charles only long enough to go to Wyndamere, gather a few things in the suite and speak with his parents, Alexis was already in court. They told him of the good fortune of a witness. He was happy as this would hopefully ensure a swift conclusion to the trial. He would then beg for forgiveness, charm her with his pleasing personality and good looks and sweep her off her feet and on home. (He knew she would never fall for the pleasing personality and good looks part, but a man could hope.) * * * * * He was in the air, looking over real estate folders that he had requested be delivered to the suite. He had planned to take Alexis out before going to Puerto Rico and find a suitable home for all of them. He wanted something out in the country with a lot of room for the little one, himself, Alexis and his parents, he knew they wouldn't leave now. He loved his parents, but he wasn't willing to live with them again, so they had to find something with room for another home for them as well. He also wanted something fairly close to town, so that Alexis could continue her work at the efficient pace she kept. He was selfish, but he knew too that she was one of the top lawyers in the country and he had no desire to have her give up anything that makes her life richer. He wouldn't be that selfish. The mini mobster and anger boy had to go though. He had found one piece of land that was actually close to the cottage Nikolas had lived in, Brenda's cottage. It was near the lake and had wonderful woods and good highway access, he could see a large rambling structure with a pool, tennis courts, a riding ring and a big play area. Everything he would need, oh yeah, and everything his child (or hopefully children) would need. They would have help, but Alexis was already rather adamant on the nanny thing. Whatever she lacked in traditional maternal attributes, she more than made up for in love and sincerity for the baby to come. She wanted to be its primary caregiver. She and its father, he had no problems with that. He could see it now, the little one with a palm pilot of its own and dressed in baby blue (even if it was a girl). He could envision them all out in matching blue. He enjoyed matching, something Lady Jane had instilled in him - she always had matching outfits for he and Jerry when they were young and she and his father always matched with them. He still remembered the comments given by total strangers. Unfortunately, Alexis was wearing thin on baby blue, except for the silk nightgown, he hoped. He had picked up Alexis' glucola test results before he left. She had neglected to for some time and now they were finally being sent. Although they were addressed to her, he breached security and read them, another tarnish to his crown, but he wanted to make sure she was fine. She was, no hint of any pregnancy related diabetes. Only about an hour now and he would be in Puerto Rico. He was ready to face the wrath of everyone as long as he could hold Alexis tonight and beg her understanding, forgiveness and acceptance of his proposal. He had planned to shoo his parents, Marcus and CC out and have her all to himself. Hell, he might even rent a hotel penthouse suite and do it the right way. He was planning. He noticed she had taken the ring with her - a good sign, right? * * * * * He went first to the condo and found his parents. They were awaiting news from court. Alexis had insisted that they not go; she didn't want John to upset himself. He too tended to get unnerved by Sonny Corinthos. His paternal instincts coming to play tenfold. His parents were happy to see him, but his mother ran him up one side of the flagpole and down the other. She told him his responsibility lies to his own family first and then to everyone else. If only, he thought. She then gave him the latest on the trial. Marcus came out when he arrived and threatened him again - he had only spoken to he and CC via telephone. An angry Marcus in person was a force and right now Marcus was angry with him. ''You know MATE, I may have dodged some things in the past when I moved to Port Charles to avoid my mother's wishes, but never, repeat never did I desert my woman in need. I cared for her when she was shot. I loved her through some trying times and I will be here with her as long as God allows me. If you ever and may I repeat ever do something like that again, I will kill you. I say this to you as I would to Stefan, Nikolas and even Simon. Do you understand?'' Jax only nodded. He couldn't dispute Marcus' words and despised himself all the more. At that Marcus' cell phone rang. He watched Marcus' face fall and he knew then and there that it was not good news. ''Okay, yes, I'll tell them. I'll get to work immediately. Jax is here. They are in recess for the day, okay. We'll expect both of you back here soon. Okay, you at least, Alexis has to meet with her clients. I don't like it, but I what can I do now. Tell me again why I shouldn't just do away with Mr. Corinthos and anger boy? I love you too. No I have not flattened Jax yet. Bye.'' Throughout the entire conversation, Jax had waited with baited breath. ''Taggert, what?'' ''That was CC, the witness was found dead. No short trial.'' ''Damn, damn, damn - Sorel?'' ''We think, but no one can track him. The last line I have is he is down here, but he entered the island and has now disappeared. We've got to find him, it's our best hope.'' ''Where's Alexis?'' ''She went back with Sonny and Jason to the office on Carlos' property. They needed somewhere to meet in private. No, I don't like it either Jax, but CC couldn't stop her.'' ''Damn it Marcus, she's eight months pregnant. She can't stand a long trial. Can't the mini mobster and his sidekick find another lawyer?'' ''I agree with you, but you know Alexis.'' He did and that was the hard part. She was loyal to a fault. She proved that with Stefan, with him and now with Sonny. He knew she would give 100% until there was nothing left for her to give and that was what worried them all. His parents sat stunned. He had rarely ever seen his mother frightened, but John just sat with his arm around her. She had tears in her eyes, as if she knew something could happen at any time. His stomach was in knots. He and Marcus went into the bedroom that he and CC shared and sat down at the computers and went to work. They were trying to track Sorel. He was going to call Alexis, but just then CC walked in. She walked over and hugged him and then kissed her husband. ''What do we have lads?'' ''Nothing, damn it CC. We have to find him. I don't like it, I have a sick feeling in my stomach about this whole thing.'' ''I know Jax, so do I. Sorel can't just come down here and drop out of site. I have associates across this island and even they can't get a line on where he is'', said CC. ''We have tracked his entrance into the country, but nothing further. I'm going to go out and search some of his formerly known haunts this evening. You know he likes the nightlife and we might just find something. Lads, do you want to split up too?'' They both nodded in the affirmative. In tracking, they were use to taking her lead. The both knew she had the instincts of a bloodhound. They would rest for a few hours, split up and head out. Alexis should be back by then. There went his romantic proposal, would anything go right now? He was beginning to wonder. When she was finished with this trial, the mini mobster and anger boy were history, one way or another. She was the mother of his child and she was going to stay alive to drive it nuts too. He wanted to telephone Alexis, but what to say. He knew when she was in a meeting that she did not want to be disturbed. He already wrote the letter, he had to do it in person now. When he went in to the bedroom she was using, now their bedroom he found the ring box open and no ring inside. He heart soared at that. She was wearing his ring, he wanted to shout from the high balcony. ''Alexis Davis is going to be my wife.'' * * * * * He was dreaming of a large rambling house, everyone in white and three beautiful children sitting around their mother as she read a court transcript to them. That would be their mother and he was her biggest fan. He came to her and gently kissed her hair. She smiled up at him and he was lost in that smile. His children momentarily faded and his eyes were focused on his wife. She was beautiful and they were happy. He then turned and looked at two towheads and one dark boy. The shouted for his attention and he gave it to them. ''Jax, Jax, get up, get up NOW.'' What time was it? Where was Alexis, the dream? Marcus was in the room and his eyes had a look, which the only time he had ever seen him look like that was when CC had been shot and he was told during the unfortunate incident with Cal in another time and place. God something had happened, let her be okay. Marcus, held the phone and he heard loud sobbing, ''Jax, Jax, he's here, he's here and he's got guns and men.'' The line went dead. He cried aloud and dropped the phone. |