Sonny paced the hospital corridor anxiously. He hadn't wanted to leave Alexis even while the doctor examined her but had at last relented. Kristina and Max were taking turns offering him coffee or asking him to sit. Finally the nurse came and told him he could go back in the room. He entered the room cautiously as though afraid of what he might find. However once he saw Alexis he all but ran to her side taking her hand in his.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better," she replied giving him a slight smile. At that moment the doctor entered with some equipment.
"Is everything okay?" Sonny asked nervously.
"Everything appears to be fine, Mr. Corinthos. We're just going to do an ultra sound to make sure." Before he knew it Sonny was looking at the screen watching as the doctor pointed out the head and limbs. He looked down at Alexis and noticed that she wasn't watching.
"Alexis, are you okay?" She looked up at him and gave the same weak smile as before but still did not look at the screen. Sonny realized she was probably exhausted both physically and emotionally and therefore ignored her refusal. She would look when she was ready, he told himself.
Max and Kristina were both relieved to hear that Alexis and the baby were okay. Still Kristina was troubled by the things Alexis had said. She had accused Stefan of lying, of stealing or hiding her child. Kristina couldn't believe it could be true and at the same time knew Alexis would not say such things if she did not believe them. It was then that she caught sight of Stefan walking towards her. Max immediately stepped in his way.
"I don't think you should be here right now." Ignoring Max Stefan turned to Kristina.
"Is Alexis all right? Is the baby?"
"They're both fine," she assured him, "but Max is right you shouldn't be here."
"Kristina, I..."
"Stefan I know you would never intentionally hurt Alexis, I believe that. Right she needs to keep calm and if she sees you right now... I'll call you later, I promise."
Stefan reluctantly turned and walked away. His mind going back to a time when the sight of him had been the only thing that kept Alexis calm, which allowed her to relax.
He knocked on the door, waiting for an answer but none came. "It's okay Alexis, it's me."
"Stefan?" He hated the fear he heard in her voice.
"Yes." he answered. "Can I come in." He asked her permission before he did anything these days, it was so important to her to have control.
"Come in." He opened the door and found her in bed.
"Still not feeling well?" He asked sympathetically. "I have some good news that might help cheer you up." She looked at him skeptically, her eyes a heartbreaking combination of hope and fear. She still didn't speak so he continued. "It's all arranged, you get to go back to America."
"Stefan I can't go back to school, I mean..." Her voice faded leaving her reasons unspoken.
"No, not to school, although you will be able to take your courses through correspondence if you like. Mrs. Krieger is in Boston now Alexis. She has agreed to let you come and stay with her, until... for as long as you like." Alexis looked up at him as though she could not believe what she was hearing.
"Mrs. Krieger? And I can take classes?"
"Yes, you're already a year ahead Alexis, a few more credits and you can graduate. You'll be able to go to Harvard, just as we planned."
"Stefan we must be realistic, it will be difficult enough coping with everything else. Harvard will have to wait."
But it hadn't, he had made sure she was able to pursue her dreams, to have the life she wanted. He had only tried to help. She had to understand that. She had been the only constant in his life since childhood. Even before he had known that she was his sister, she had been his best friend and he couldn't lose her.
Sonny watched Alexis sleep, the doctors had wanted to keep her overnight for observation and he had insisted on staying with her. Hearing his stomach growl Sonny remembered he hadn't had dinner. Knowing that Alexis had taken to carrying snack bars in her purse Sonny reached onto the table beside her bed and took it. Looking inside he saw it, a hand written letter. He knew what it was and he knew he had no right but he needed to know. He needed to hear the words that had hurt her so deeply, that had almost hurt their child.
Dearest Alexis,
I am writing this letter to you my dear girl because I need to tell you something. Actually there are several things I need to tell you. The first is that I always loved you Alexis, as though you were my own daughter. You were such a sweet child, in spite of those around you. They never told you how smart you were, how beautiful. I know to this day that the scars of their treatment linger with you. I also know that you have indeed risen above them, that you are happy, successful and loved. It is everything I wanted for you. I am telling you all this in the hope that it will help you to understand what I did. I wanted you to be happy Alexis. To be free of the Cassadines and all that they stood for. Stefan too only wanted what was best for you. I believe to this day Alexis that we did the right thing, but I also believe you have the right to know the truth. Your child is alive Alexis. The baby that you gave birth to was not stillborn but was in fact healthy. Stefan arranged beforehand for the doctor to give you a sedative so that you were only semi conscious during the delivery. A nurse was waiting to take the child to the hospital and later to put it up for adoption. I am sorry to say that I never saw the child and do not know if it was a boy or a girl. I was afraid to look for fear that I might not be able to go through with it. I realize that you may be angry with me for what I have done but you must believe it was for the best. You were so young Alexis, too young. You deserved to go to law school, to be young, and enjoy your life. I hope that you will be able to forgive me understand my actions.
Marta Krieger