Kristina entered the livingroom and had to laugh. Alexis sat at her desk looking over yet another contract while Jillian sat at the table doing homework. They wore the exact same expression and both were slightly biting their bottom lip as though concentrating very hard. It was not the first time Kristina noticed the similarities between the two. Sometimes she wondered if there was more to Jillian's story than Alexis had first let on.
''I'll see you guys later,'' Kristina said as she grabbed her coat.
''Are you going out?'' Alexis asked,barely looking up from her papers.
''Yeah Ned has some new songs he wants me to try.''
''Oh?''
Alexis was now looking directly at Kristina failing horribly in her attempt to sound disinterested. Kristina had been spending quite a bit of time with Ned lately and Alexis was not happy about it.
''Have fun.'' Jillian added looking up from her papers.
Soon after Kristina left there was a knock at the door. Before Alexis could respond Jillian was up and running towards the door.
''I'll get it, I'll get it'' Alexis laughed at her enthusiasm.
''Jax!''
The child sounded surprised and maybe a little disappointed he thought.
''Hi Jillian, expecting someone else?''
''No, well maybe...'' the child seemed to be deciding something and finally confided ''Sonny said he might come by tonight.''
She knew Sonny and Jax didn't like each other and usually avoided talking about one to the other as Alexis did but tonight she was too excited.
"He said he'd take me skating.
Jax frowned he knew Sonny had been spending a lot of time with Jillian lately which meant he was spending time with Alexis.
''Hello my beautiful ex-wife.''
Alexis raised her eyebrows slightly at the endearment but then decided to play along.
''Hello my beautiful ex-husband,'' she replied.
Jillian giggled. Jax sat down on the couch and helped himself to a handful of popcorn.
''Don't tell me you two ate this for supper?'' he asked staring at the near empty bowl.
''No auntie Kristina made us supper, Mom made this for desert.''
''I see, well, I suppose I should get down to bussiness, what are you doing next Friday night?'' he asked turning towards Alexis.
''Nothing, I think. Why?''
''The Quartermains are having a big Christmas party and I wanted to know if you would be my date?''
Caught slightly off-quard by the term ''date'' Alexis avoided the question by grabbing another handful of popcorn and glancing at Jillian.
Misintepreting the glance Jax quickly added
''I mean I'd like both of you to come with me. The party is for kids too, Ned said Brooke-lyn would be there.''
''A party, cool. Can we go Mom please.''
''Please.'' Jax added.
''Sure, I guess, I mean yeah.''
''Try not to sound quite so enthusiastic. I promise it won't hurt.'' Jax laughed knowing that spending an evening with the Quartermains was not her idea of a good toime.
''I have to get going but I'll call you later.''
He gave Alexis a quick kiss on the cheek and left. It was nearly an hour later when Sonny arrived and Jillian was thrilled to see him.
''Hi Sonny what's behind you back?''
Sonny grinned at Alexis before bringing his hands forward to reveal two pairs of skates. One pair was obviously meant for Jillian but it was the other pair that caught Alexis' eyes. They were a pair of women's skates.
''Who are those for?'' she asked staring at the skates as though they may attack at any moment.''
''These are for you.''
Sonny could not help laughig at the look of absolute horror that was spreading across her face.
''I don't skate.'' she stated firmly.
''Come on Mom.''
''Yeah come on Mom,'' Sonny added flashing his dimples.
''I don't know how.'' Alexis confided softly.
''I'll teach you.'' Sonny was quick to offer. ''Come on Alexis I taught Michael to skate I'm sure I can teach you.''
Well thought Alexis, if a six year old can master it how hard can it be.
It was harder than she expected, so was the ice. She had fallen down more times than she could count and was certain she would be covered in bruises tomorrow. Still she had had fun. Sonny and Jillian had raced across the skating rink several times and both were now exhusted. All three of them were sitting in the back of Sonny's car. He had insisted on taking them to Kellys for some hot chocolate after they finished so it was now quite late. Jillian sat between them with hir sleepy head resting on Sonny's shoulder. For a moment Alexis wished she could do the same.
''Hey Alexis,'' Sonny's whispered voice snapped her out of her thoughts. ''We're home.''
Two simple words but they held so much more. He sounded as though they were a family returning home after a night of fun. Several people at the skating rink had complimented them on their wonderful family. Neither Sonny nor Alexis had corrected them as though by silent mutual agreement they would pretend it was true.
Sonny offered to carry Jillian in but she was already waking up. He was disappointed because it would have been an excuse to stretch out the night a little longer. As they got off the elevator Sonny suddenly remembered he had wanted to ask Alexis something earlier but had forgotten it until now.
''Oh I wanted to ask you, I mean, Did you hear about the party Edward is having?''
''Yes.''
''Do you want to come?'' he asked. ''With me.'' he added almost as an afterthought.
''You're invited?'' Alexis didn't mean to be rude but she couldn't help the surprise in her voice. Her embarrasment at her outburst caused Sonny to smile.
.''Yeah there's some big shot European business man coming that Edward wants to make some deal with. Since he's labling it a business party he had to invite all ELQ boardmembers.''
''Oh I see, I'm sorry but I already told Jax I'd go with him.''
''I see.'' Sonny said with remarkable calm considering he was contemplating murder at this moment.
''I don't have a date.'' Jillian piped up suddenly.
Both Sonny and Alexis had forgotten she was there.
''Of course you do Jax invited us both.''
''No he invited you, he's letting me tag along.''
And suddenly Sonny saw the potential to make all his plans come true.
''Well Jillian would you do me the honor of being my date for the party.''
''I'd love to,'' she replied before Alexis could stop her.
''Great.''
Sonny decided to get away before Alexis could undo any of his work.
''Goodnight ladies'' he whispered slipping into his apartment leaving one very excited child and one very annoyed woman standing in the hallway.
Meanwhile in a prison cell Helena was speaking to someone on the phone.
''The party is set for next Friday, yes I'm sure she'll be there. Patience, patience you will see her soon enough.''