''Jillian, could you...''
''I know, I know, I'm going'' the girl replied unknowingly sounding very much like her mother. Stefan almost smiled when he heard her. Jillian who was becoming used to shocked silence whenever she entered a room went back into the kitchen to help Kristina with breakfast.
''Why didn't you tell me?'' he sounded more hurt than angry and for the millionth time Alexis questioned whether she made the right desision all those years ago.
''I couldn't risk it Stefen, look at her. Helena would have found out and she would have killed me, you know she would have.''
''I could have protected you both.''
Even as he said it Stefen knew it was a lie. He would have done anything in his power to protect Alexis but if Helena had found out about the child chances are it would not have been enough.
''Where has she been all this time? Why did you bring her here now?''
''She was living with adoptive parents, they were killed in a car accident so I found her and brought her home.''
''And you plan to keep her?'' He already knew the answer. ''Yes I'm keeping her, as my adopted child.'' ''
''You're adopting her?'' once again he was taken by surprise.
''It's the only way I can gain custody without telling everyone her true parentage.''
''How much does the girl know?
"She knows she was adopted by the Whitneys when she was a baby, and she knows I was a friend of her parents. I told her I was also a friend of her birth mother and that I brought her to the Whitney's after she died.''
''So the child doesn't know she is a Cassadine.''
''No and she never wiil.''
''Alexis.''
''No Stefen, I want her to have a choice, one we were never given,'' she added.
''Alright if that's the way you want it but the child is MY NIECE and I intend to treat her as such which means I'll be setting up a trust fund for her as soon as possible.''
Alexis had to laugh at his obvious enthusiasm.
''Before you start her on the road to wealth would you like to meet YOUR NIECE?''
She asked putting the same emphasis on the word that he had. She knew he missed having a child to dote on now that Nicolas was grown. Just at that moment Jillian reentered the room and Alexis took great pride in introducing two of the most important people in her life to each other.
''Jillian this is your uncle Stefan. Stefan this is your niece Jillian.''
''It's nice to meet you, uncle Stefan.'' Jillian replied with a practiced politeness that pleased Stefan's sense of formality. The girl may not know that she was a blueblood but she had a grace that Stefan could only admire.''
''Would you like to join us for breakfast Stefan?'' Kristina asked as she entered the room carrying a stack of pancakes.
Though his initial reaction was to refuse he changed his mind and decided to stay. And so the four of them sat around Alexis' table talking and laughing while enjoying their breakfast.
Elsewhere in a prison cell Helena greeted the young man who had come to see her.
''Did you find out where she's been?''
''Yes, she was in New York, they arrived home this morning.''
''They? She was with someone?''
''Yes a young girl about 10 years old, she brought her back with her from New York.''
''A child? Who is she?''
''I believe its her child, I mean the kid kept calling her Mom.''
''You may go now.''
Helena dismissed the man, far to busy with her thoughts to talk with him any longer. Alexis had a child? A ten year old child? Just when she thought she might have to let the little mouse go she found the one thing she could use that would destroy Alexis once and for all.
''Guard get me the phone!''