A few hours after saying goodbye to Sonny and Johnny, Alexis had ordered a bed to be delivered for Sasha, and taken both children shopping for clothes and other necessities. They arrived home tired and hungry.
"Aunt Alexis why don't you go lie down, CJ and I will order pizza and we'll wake you when it arrives." Sasha suggested sweetly.
"Are you sure?" Her aching feet made the suggestion sound heavenly.
"Of course, just relax and we'll take care of everything." She replied in a soothing voice. Had Alexis been a little less tired she would have been suspicious but as it was she headed to bed without question.
Five minutes later Sasha picked up the phone and dialled.
"Hello?"
"Sonny?" It came out as a half whispered sob.
"Sasha, what's wrong?" He asked immediately concerned.
"I ... um ... wanted to do something nice for aunt Alexis for letting us stay here and she had told me that she and Kristina were craving chicken promedo. Anyway Alexis fell asleep cause she was so tired and CJ and I wanted to surprise her and make it but we don't know how and Alexis said you were the best cook ever so I thought maybe you could give us the recipe if it's not to much trouble? Of course we've never actually cooked before..."
"Sasha, sweetie breathe."
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have bothered you, never mind." She said with an exaggerated sign which made CJ roll his eyes.
"No, I'm glad you called me. Hang on, I'll be over as soon as I can." He promised knowing that it was probably a mistake to leave anyone genetically related to Alexis alone in a kitchen.
"Thanks a lot Sonny." She hung up the phone and gave CJ an I told you so look.
When Alexis woke up her first thought was that something smelled heavenly, her second thought was Sonny. Her suspicions were confirmed when she walked into the kitchen to find Sonny, CJ and Sasha all busily preparing supper.
"What's going on here?" She asked.
"We're making supper." Sasha told her cheerfully.
"So I see. Sonny?"
"The kids wanted to thank you and I offered to give them a hand." He explained with a shy smile. He knew she was probably not thrilled to see him and he didn't want to push her, not now that they were starting to make some real progress.
"Oh um..."
Alexis had no idea what to say. She couldn't understand Sonny's recent behaviour at all. On the one hand he seemed to be there every time she turned around, making sure she was all right, offering to help. Was it because he knew about Kristina, that she was theirs? Was that why he was here cooking her dinner, making sure she ate properly? Again she came back to the same question, if Sonny knew why wasn't he saying anything?
"It's ready," Sonny said giving Sasha three plates to set the table.
"Aren't you going to stay and eat too Sonny?" Sasha asked, mentally preparing herself to release the crocodile tears should they be necessary.
"I don't think...
"He can stay, can't he aunt Alexis, please?" She asked in full pout.
"Um, sure." Alexis replied with reluctance.
Sonny knew she was only agreeing because Sasha had backed her into a corner and yet he couldn't resist the opportunity to spend time with her.
"Thank you Sonny that was delicious." Alexis sighed contentedly when they had finished eating. Though she hated to admit it she had enjoyed both the meal and the company. The four of them got along great and with Sasha there was never a lull in the lively conversation.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, when Sasha called and told me you'd been craving it I was only to happy to come over and..."
"She told you what?"
Both adults turned to look at Sasha.
"I just remembered CJ and I promised Johnny we would watch a movie at his place tonight, see you guys later." Grabbing CJ's hand she bolted for the door pausing to turn back to them for a second. "Have fun you two," she said shutting the door behind her.
"I'm sorry she shouldn't have called you." Alexis said as soon as the door had been closed.
"No, I'm sorry I shouldn't have come over without checking with you first."
They stood there in awkward silence neither of them knowing what to do next. The silence was broken when Alexis let out a slight gasp.
"Are you okay?" Sonny asked instantly at her side.
"Yeah, its just... I think Kristina enjoyed the home cooking."
"You mean she's moving?"
"I think she's performing a water ballet in there." Alexis laughed but stopped when she saw Sonny's face. He looked very much as he had when he talked about his mother. The look of someone who had lost a part of themselves. She wanted to comfort him but didn't know how so she took his hand and placed it on her stomach holding it there with her own hand.
Within seconds Sonny felt the baby move and for the first time she was real to him. Watching her grow with Alexis he knew she was real and yet it wasn't until that moment, when he felt her, when he connected with her for the first time that he was overcome by the miracle of it all. A small tear escaped before he could brush it away.
"I um... I should go." He said pulling his hand out from under hers and walking towards the door quickly.
"Okay then, goodbye." Alexis said trying not to show how hurt she was by his sudden withdrawal.
Sonny walked out the door and managed to hold himself together until he reached the car. It was only then that he allowed the tears to come, flowing freely as he silently cursed himself over and over for the mistakes he had made.
Sasha had watched his departure through the peep hole in Johnny's front door and seeing the state both he and her aunt were in had only increased her determination to help them.
"Okay people we did great but we can't let up now, it's time to move on to phase two."
Johnny and CJ looked at each other and shrugged, they knew it was useless to argue once Sasha had set her mind to something.
"Okay what's phase two?" Johnny asked.
"Come on guys it's obvious, phase two, make Sonny jealous."
"Sasha I don't think that's a good idea."
"Of course it is. Right now for whatever reason Sonny is refusing to admit his feelings. Making him jealous is the best way to fix the situation."
"Or make it a lot worse." CJ mumbled wearily.
"CJ's right, I don't think..." Johnny began reluctantly but was soon interrupted.
"Trust me it will work perfectly, all we need is the right guy. What about you?" She suggested eyeing Johnny.
"Are you crazy? You haven't seen Sonny when he's jealous but trust me when I say it's not a pretty sight and I really don't want to be on the receiving end."
"Okay so we need to find a guy that is single, would be willing to do out with aunt Alexis and that we wouldn't mind seeing roughed up a little."
Suddenly Johnny grinned.
"Sasha, I have the perfect man for the job."