"You're four months along?" He was trying not to sound as hurt as he felt. He could only imagine the fear that she must have felt to keep this from him for so long. "And from their reactions when you fainted I'm guessing Kristina and Jax know."
"I told Kristina, Jax sort of figured it out."
"He figured it out?"
"Well Jillian told him how tired I've been and that I had been feeling nauseous in the mornings." Alexis could feel Sonny's entire body tense and she quickly tried to assure him. "He just figured it out Sonny, I never would have told him before telling you."
"I'm not upset because Jax knew before me Alexis. I'm upset because even a child knew something was wrong and I was completely oblivious, I mean how did I not know?"
"Sonny you didn't know because I hid it from you, we both know how good I can be at hiding things." Both were thinking of Kristina and Jillian whom Alexis had hid from everyone.
"So does anyone else know?" Once again Alexis looked uncomfortable.
"Courtney."
"My sister knew you were pregnant?"
"She came downstairs and caught Kristina and I in the middle of a conversation. It was only a couple weeks ago and I promised her I was going to tell you. Sonny please don't be mad at them, they were only trying to help."
"Just promise me you'll share things with me from now on, please. I can handle anything but being shut out."
"I promise I will try to let you in, but I'm not used to sharing everything with someone."
"Grandma, Grandpa, you're here, come see the puppy dad bought me." Jillian led them into the house and they were soon confronted by a light brown bundle of fur. "This is Justin."
"Justin? Isn't that a rather odd name for a dog?"
"Well he's a Jacks so I figured it should start with a J and there aren't any good dog names that start with J."
"I think perhaps Justin would be a nice name for a little brother."
"But I don't have a little brother," Jillian insisted. She still didn't know about Alexis' baby, neither did Jax's parents.
"Well perhaps when your father gets his priorities straight you will get one."
"Mother."
"He invited Courtney to dinner tonight." Jillian told them.
"Oh Courtney, such a lovely girl, good head on her shoulders."
"And she has very good taste in music," Jillian added.
"Yes we all agree, Courtney's great, can we move on to something else please."
Sonny had managed to keep Alexis in bed for the entire day and was downstairs making dinner when Johnny opened the door.
"Mr. Cassadine is here," he told Sonny. Johnny, Stefan and Sonny were standing in the doorway when Alexis' voice came from upstairs,
"Sonny where are you? I'm starving." Her tone implied that she was not talking about food. This was seconded when she appeared at the top of the stairs a few seconds later wearing a flaming red teddy. The first thing was Alexis saw was her brother, then Johnny and finally Sonny who was trying not laugh. She soon turned a shade, similar to that of her teddy and then without a word turned and fled.
"Um I'll be right back, help yourself to a drink." Sonny told Stefan as he went upstairs to check on Alexis. He opened the bedroom door and found her pacing, definitely not a good sign. "Alexis sweetie, are you okay?" She glared at him briefly but kept pacing.
"Of course I'm not okay Sonny I just made a complete fool of myself."
"Hey don't talk that way about the woman I love." Sonny told her with mock sternness. He took her hands and pulled her into his arms. "Alexis you're all grown up I think your brother realizes that and Johnny, if he were not my best bodyguard, would be lying in a ditch right now for the way he was looking at you. Believe me you did not make a fool of yourself. If anything you demonstrated just how lucky I am."
"How come you always know just the right the right thing to say?"
"It's a gift."
"Well I guess I should put something else on, tell Stefan I'll be down in a minute."
"Can't I stay and watch."
"If you stay it'll take a lot more than a minute." Sonny grinned. "Maybe later."
"What do you mean maybe?" Sonny pouted.
"Would you just go." Sonny was laughing as he walked down the stairs.
"Alexis will be down in a minute."
"Thank you." Sonny noticed for the first time how somber Stefan seemed, something told him it was more than embarrassment over Alexis' clothing, or lack of.
"Is everything okay?" He and Stefan were not what you would call friends but both men loved Alexis enough to put their differences aside. Sonny was also worried about how whatever it was would affect Alexis.
"Actually I have to tell Alexis something and I'm not sure how."
"Well then maybe you should wait, Alexis really shouldn't be upset right now."
"Why? Is there something wrong with my sister?"
"I've never been better." Alexis answered from the top of the stairs. Before she could take a step Sonny was beside her, taking her arm. "Sonny I'm perfectly capable of walking down stairs. If you don't quit it you're going to drive me insane before the baby gets here."
"The baby?" Stefan asked in a voice only slightly above a whisper.
"Yes I'm pregnant."
"Congratulations".
"Thank you, so what did you want to see me about."
"Actually I um, it can wait."
"Stefan what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me, you know I can always tell. You have the same look you used to get when you had bad news. Is it Nicolas?"
"No, Nicolas is fine." He assured her quickly. "Maybe you should sit down."
"Stefan you're scaring me." Sonny led her to the sofa and sat down beside her. Once she was seated Stefan also sat down.
"Alexis, Mrs. Krieger had a heart attack while sleeping last night, she didn't make it." For a moment Alexis showed no reaction as though she hadn't heard. Then she looked to Stefan as though waiting for something. Because he did not know what else to do he began to talk. "The doctor said she felt no pain, it was... peaceful. Um... she didn't want a funeral but I sent flowers. Alexis are you okay?" Sonny had never heard Stefan speak with such uncertainty. He seemed to be a boy again, Alexis' first protector. She looked up and smiled gently at the concern in his eyes.
"I'm okay. I just never... I hadn't spoken with her in so long. I kept meaning to call, I wanted her to meet Jillian."
"She would have loved her, she's so much like you were as a child." Tears started to run down Alexis' face as Sonny brought his hand to rest on her arm. She had forgotten he was there but now turned to him.
"Mrs. Krieger was the governess on the island, Elina's governess really. She was so kind to me, Sonny. She used to allow Stefan and I to come up to the room and play with Elina when Helena was out. Sonny could hear the love in her voice as Alexis told him about the woman who had shown her such compassion and caring.
"Dad, Courtney's here." Jillian yelled from the doorway.
"Let her in, I'll be there in a minute." Jillian proceeded to open the door.
"Hi come on in. My Dad's in the kitchen cause he wants you to think he cooked dinner but he'll be out in a minute."
"I see, then who's really cooking dinner?"
"Grandma is, don't tell that I told you."
"My lips are sealed."
"Keeping secrets ladies?" John Jacks joined them in the hallway. Courtney, you're looking lovely this evening. Come into the living room dear. Can I get you a drink?
"Some water would be great, thanks." John and Courtney quickly fell into an easy conversation occasionally interrupted by a comment from Jillian. John liked Courtney, she was young and slightly naive to be sure but she had a good heart. He still wasn't sure if Jax was completely over Alexis but neither he nor Courtney seemed like they were rushing into anything.
Stefan and Alexis had spent the last several hours sharing stories, laughing and crying.
"I suppose I should get going." Stefan told them. "I'd like to have a family dinner next week, to welcome the newest member."
"That would be nice, just let us know when and we'll be there."
"Splendid, why don't you talk to Kristina and I'll ask Nicolas."
"Thank you Stefan, for everything."
After Stefan left Sonny took the dishes to the kitchen while Alexis sat on the sofa. Her mind was going over the fact that Mrs. Krieger was no longer alive. She had been with Alexis for so long it was difficult to believe. She had not told Sonny everything about Mrs. Krieger. She had not told him that it was she who took care of Alexis during her pregnancy and she who had stayed with her afterwards comforting her.
"How you doing sweetheart?"
"I'm fine, just thinking." He knew what she was thinking about.
"She sounded like a pretty great lady from the way you and Stefan spoke of her."
"She was. For many years she and Stefan were the only ones I could trust, the only ones that loved me."
"Courtney, what are your thoughts on having a baby, with my Dad I mean?" Everyone in Jax's living room went completely silent as they gaped at Jillian. She in turn was looking at Courtney, waiting for an answer. Before Courtney could say anything Jax recovered.
"Jillian, why on earth would you ask such a thing?"
"I just wanted to see if she had her priorities sraight, like Grandma said. After all I'd like to have some siblings while I'm still young enough to play with them and less face it, none of us is getting any younger." Jax stared incredulously at his daughter then looked to his parents.
"She's definatly your daughter." His father replied laughing.