Have you ever had one of those days where nothing goes the way you expected? Today was supposed to be a new beginning for Kristina and I. Ned's sentencing had taken place the day before, he had received 20 years in prison for the murder of Alcazar and even though I had defended him a part of me was glad he was finally out of my life.
The day began well enough I had already fed Kristina and was sitting down to a bowl of cereal, one of the few things I can make, with Kristina happily sitting on my lap. Without warning Kristina reached forward and pulled the full bowl onto both of us, knocking over my glass of juice in the process. We were both covered in cherries, milk and orange juice. Half an hour later we were no longer wet and sticky but I was still hungry. Unfortunately I had used the last of my cereal which meant the only remaining food in my cupboards was micro-waved popcorn. Of course its not just my lack of breakfast that's getting to me. The reason my cupboards are bare is a direct result of my daughter's new precociousness.
It all began about a week ago when I took Kristina to the park. Until then her vocabulary had been, well, interesting. "Mama" was delightful, "no" we were dealing with. I was becoming convinced that "fine" was genetic and "Abba" was just plain confusing. Then last week she learnt a new word.
She was playing in the sandbox happily shovelling the sand into little red pail when the boy next to her called out, "Dada." Kristina watched with interest as a man approached the little boy and picked him up. Soon a little girl did the same with similar results. Anyway somehow my daughter has come to associate the word Dada every man she sees, often reaching out to be picked up at the same time or pointing at him and then looking at me as if to say, look I found another one. Needless to say this has caused more than a few problems especially the last time I tried to go grocery shopping. However I'm sure it's just a phase, in the meantime it's off to Kelly's in search of something edible.
I walk into Kelly's and even before we sit down Kristina has spotted him.
"Dada," She calls causing a very surprised Lucky Spencer to turn around. "Dada," she repeats, this time pointing at the young man. Lucky is bright red and speechless unfortunately someone else is not.
"Natasha, I had no idea you and my son were so, well aquatinted." Luke says as he walks out of the kitchen grinning. "You know if you were interested in the pleasures of a Spencer man there was no need to settle for the junior version." He tells me wriggling his eyebrows.
"Hey," Lucky objects coming over to my table. "If Alexis was going to go for one of us, I hardly think it would be you, old man." He tells his father.
"Who you calling an old man?" Luke demands obviously offended.
"See what you started." I tell Kristina, who merely flashes her dimples at Luke and yell out "Dada"with a giggle.
"Ah, that's my girl." Luke says immediately cooing over my daughter.
"She meant to say Grandpa," Lucky announces.
"Take that back boy."
"Can't handle the truth old man?"
Luke looks as though he's about to hit Lucky but then stops which leads me to think common-sense may have kicked in, I should have known better.
"If we're going to fight we better take this outside, Barbara will kill me if I trash this place again.
"Fine with me." Lucky agrees and both men walk outside. I honestly don't think either of them has a clue as to what they're about to fight over but when has that ever stopped a Spencer.
"Hey, what's going on?" Liz asks having witnessed only the last half of the altercation.
"Testosterone overdrive," I dismiss. "Can I get a burger extra pickles, and some fries?" I ask since its now almost lunch time anyway.
"Um sure, are you sure they're okay?" She asks, both of us seeing the headlock Lucky has his father in through the window.
"Oh they're fine. They do this all the time." I assure her eager to get to my food.
Just at the moment my burger arrives so do Cameron and Zander.
"Do you have any idea why Lucky and Luke are out there fighting?" Cameron asks in a somewhat accusatory tone. Then again maybe I'm imagining it.
"How on earth would I know? Probably just some father son dispute. The Spencer's have unique ways of dealing with family issues."
"Maybe we should have tried that." Zander muses. He and his father have been slowly getting closer but it was a slow process.
"I don't believe in physical violence as a means to solving ones problems."
"Chicken." Zander and I both say, then try not to laugh.
"You two are impossible." Cameron dismisses. "And how are you lovely ladies doing this morning?" He asks in an attempt to change the subject.
"Fine." Kristina and I both answer in unison.
"You know you're getting more like your mother every day." He tells Kristina and I get the distinct feeling it may not be a complement. He and Zander are about to get there own table, and leave me to my burger and fries when Kristina suddenly looks at Cameron, with a look I know all to well.
"Dada," she calls happily, reaching out to be picked up. Cameron looks at me, looks at Kristina, then me again and finally Kristina.
"Sorry sweetheart but I think you've got me confused with someone else." He tells her, nonetheless picking her up. For some reason Kristina finds this hilarious and begins to giggle.
"Dada," she calls again.
"Does she do this often?" Cameron asks with concern.
"It's her new word, she calls everyone Dada." I tell him hoping to leave it at that, again I should have known better.
"This could be a manifestation of her lack of a male presence in her life." He tells me sitting down at my table and looking closely at Kristina as though he's expecting to find a damaged goods sticker on her forehead. Zander and I both roll our eyes as Cameron continues.
"She's subconsciously searching for a father figure in order to develop her sense of self and..."
"Dad, she's not even a year old I highly doubt she's having issues with her subconscious." Zander says trying to help and I give him a grateful look.
"It's possible, she is Alexis' daughter."
"Hey."
"Well let's face it you're hardly a spokesperson for mental health."
"And you're hardly one to talk."
"Are you implying something about my psychological fitness?" He asks sounding hurt.
"I'm not implying I'm stating, you're a nut." Thankfully my cell phone rings and I can hear Zander laughing as I reach for it.
"Hello."
"Hi Alexis it's Brenda, I know you said you didn't want to represent him anymore but Jason is at the police station and..."
"I'll be right there." I assure her before hanging up the phone, not bothering to let her finish. "I need to go," I say looking longingly at my lunch. I could ask Elizabeth to wrap it up but who knows how many psychological problems Cameron can diagnose me with in the time it takes to wrap up a burger. No, it's better to be safe I think leaving money on the table and grabbing Kristina then rushing out the door. I'm in such a rush I don't notice them until we almost run into each other.
"Oh, sorry," I say automatically before I can see who it is. "Hello Alexis," Ric greets me with a smile. Carly remains silent. Even though she and
Sonny divorced months ago and from what I hear she and Ric are blissfully happy, she still hates me. Not that I can blame her since the feeling is entirely mutual.
"Hi Ric, Carly."
"You are just about the cutest thing I've ever seen," Ric tells Kristina. Oh no, she's got that look.
"We really should get going," I tell them, eager to get on my way. However before I can leave Kristina strikes again.
"Dada," she calls to Ric, reaching out her little hands towards him. Ric looks surprised, Carly looks furious.
"Well, bye." I say quickly heading towards my car. Behind me I can hear a rather familiar shrieking.
When I arrive at the police station neither Brenda or Jason is anywhere to be seen.
"Ah MS Davis let me guess you're here for Jason Morgan?" Taggert asks with a smug little smile.
"I'm warning you Taggert I haven't eaten yet today and I view you as the only thing standing between me and lunch. I'm a Cassadine Taggert, when an obstacle gets in our way we remove it."
"Did you just threaten me?" He asks with a look somewhere between amusement and fear.
"I'm hungry." I say by way of defence. "Why don't you just save us all a lot of time and drop whatever bogus charges you made up against Jason."
"You know you catch more flies with honey than vinegar." He suggest.
"Dada," Kristina responds with a grin.
For once Taggert is speechless as he stares at my grinning daughter. The other detectives are now looking on with barely contained curiosity.
"Did you teach her to do that?" He asks suspiciously.
"Yes, Taggert I taught my daughter to call you Daddy." Apparently Taggert is unfamiliar with the concept of sarcasm because I swear the next question out of his mouth is going to be why. Well as long as I'm here I might as well have a little fun.
"Are you saying you're ashamed of her, of what we shared." I ask as loudly as possible and drawing quite an audience.
"What?" The poor guy is completely confused.
"Alexis we never..."
"You're denying that wonderful night in the interrogation room? I thought I meant something to you, or is that just the way you interrogate all your witnesses?"
"I didn't...we didn't...I don't..." Taggert flounders as his fellow officers watch in amusement.
"Alexis what are you doing here?" An annoying little voice asks from behind me effectively ending the Taggert teasing, too bad I was just starting to enjoy myself.
"I'm here to see my client, Scotty. Where is Jason Morgan and what supposed charge are you holding him on."
"What is this, bring your daughter to work day?" He asks looking at Kristina. Kristina looks at me then at Scotty then at me. Suddenly a familiar little grin comes onto her face. But thus proving herself my daughter and therefor a woman of impeccable taste Kristina remains silent.
"Mr Morgan and his wife are in the interrogation room and Jason isn't being charged with anything, this time. He is here as a witness. He and Brenda witnessed a hit and run they're here giving a statement."
"Oh, well then I'll just go speak with them." I tell them hoping I can still get back to Kelly's before too long. I walk into the room and find Jason and Brenda sitting at the table apparently arguing.
"Alexis thank God, can you please explain the concept of a witness statement to Jason." Brenda asks glaring at Jason.
"I'm not talking to the cops." Jason says.
"We witnessed a hit and run, not even Scotty can arrest you for that." Brenda argues obviously frustrated by his attitude.
"I'm not talking to the cops." He repeats without emotion. Normally I find Jason's attitude mildly annoying however today he is downright pissing me off.
"Jason, I want you to look at me while I say this and see the seriousness in my face. I have not had a good nights sleep in days I'm hungry, I'm cranky, and I'm in no mood to deal with your code. Brenda is right, there is no way for Scotty to pin anything on you. Now I'm going to call Taggert in here, at which time you will make a statement telling him exactly what you witnessed and then you can leave. Any deviation from this course of events, by you will result in something bad most likely involving little Jason and the boys. Do I make myself clear?
There follows a deafening silence in the room, both Brenda and Jason staring at me opened mouthed.
"Dada" Leave it to my daughter to take an awkward moment and make it even worse.
Jason is now looking at Kristina, apparently just noticing her. He smiles slightly as she reaches out for him.
"Wow Jason, Alexis I had no idea." Brenda begins clearly amused by this newest event. "Then again I have noticed Jason staring a little more intently than normal when you enter the room. I think I've even seen him blink a couple times."
At least someone is enjoying themself, besides I've never seen Jason blush before it's quite amusing.
"Um, you can go if you want Alexis, I'll make a statement." Jason tells me smiling at Kristina. If I didn't know better I'd think he was taken by my little troublemaker.
"Thank you." I reply grateful enough to give him a kiss on the cheek. As I leave I can hear Brenda teasing him about his tendency to blush in my presence.
I approach Kelly's several minutes later already able to taste the food awaiting me. However once at the door I see a sign in the window which states closed for repairs.
Anxiously I try the door and find it open. Inside Bobbie is berating Luke and Lucky who apparently moved their fight inside sometime after I left. I am about to ask Bobbie is there's anything left in the kitchen when Kristina yells "Dada" in the direction of the two bruised men. Without a word I open the door and leave, we've caused enough trouble here.
I carry Kristina over to the park bench, sit her on my lap and begin to sob. I have no idea why I'm crying except that I was really looking forward to that burger. Kristina is looking up at me not sure if she should join me in my tears or try to cheer me you. In the end she settles for the latter gently stroking my cheek.
"Mama?" She asks clearly wondering what's wrong. Before I can answer another voice puts her question to me.
"Alexis, what's wrong?"
"Sonny!"
"What's wrong?" He repeats sitting beside me on the bench instinctively putting his hand on my arm.
"I'm hungry and Kelly's is closed." I moan again beginning to sob.
I can hear him laughing and think I must have imagined it, hallucination brought on by extreme hunger. However after wiping my eyes I can clearly see I was right. He's not just smiling he's actually laughing uncontrollably at me. The man must die. I fix him with my Cassadine death glare which only makes him laugh harder. Finally he stops and looks at me still smiling.
"Would you like me to make you some lunch?" He asks in a tone way too patronising for my liking. Still he is my best bet at a decent meal considering I refuse to take Kristina to the Grill.
"Thank you, I would like that." I manage with as much dignity as I can considering I was sobbing less than a minute ago.
I drive Kristina and myself to the penthouse, Sonny has his own car but waits in the parking lot so we can ride up the elevator together. Sonny opens the door and I walk in tentatively. This is the first time I've been here since Carly moved out and my first time bringing Kristina here. Sonny has not taken his eyes off her since we arrived and she seems equally taken. I should have known... I should have expected...
"Dada."
Sonny looks shocked and ... happy?
"Dada."
"Sonny, um she calls everyone that, it's her new word," I explain hastily.
"Oh." The look on his face is heartbreaking so much so that I can no longer deny the truth.
"Dada," Kristina repeats reaching out for Sonny. I know then that I've made a mistake and the only thing I can do now is try to make it up to both of them.
"That's right," I say to Kristina, because its easier to admit the truth to her. "This is your Daddy." I hand her over to Sonny who willingly takes her into his arms and smiles at me.
"Thank you for telling me the truth." Wait a minute he's taking this way to calmly.
"You knew?" I accuse. "How long have you known?"
"I think a part of me knew all along but I realised for sure the first time I saw her."
"And you didn't do anything?"
"I didn't want to fight with you over her. I knew that you would tell me the truth when you were ready, when you were ready to share her with me. I told you once that you always do the right thing eventually, this was no different." He explained as though it were all very simple.
"You never once confronted me." I argue still not able to believe what he's saying.
"I almost called you at least fifty times a day, I stopped myself from coming over to see you at least that many times."
"Why?" "The two of you were worth waiting for." He tells me as he holds Kristina a little closer.
Again tears are streaming down my face as I watch our daughter touching her fathers face, looking intently at the man who looks so much like her. Sonny puts his arm around my shoulder leading me to the sofa.
"You know I think in all the time I knew you you cried once. Now this is the second time in an hour." He says gently teasing as he wipes a tear from my cheek.
"You realise its all your fault." I tell him.
"I was just thinking the same thing." He responds grinning from ear to ear.
"I was being melodramatic, I don't actually blame you for the fact I'm tired hungry and cranky." I tell him which for some reason causes him to grin more.
"Any idea why you're tired hungry and cranky?" He asks mischievously. Well if he really wants to know...
"I was thinking it may have something to do with the fact that your daughter dumped the last of my cereal on the floor this morning, then Brenda called me while I was trying to eat a Kelly's, and now you're standing here talking instead of making food. But that's just my opinion if you have any other explanations feel free to share." I tell him annoyed with his suddenly laid back happy attitude.
"Well I was thinking it might have something to do with that afternoon when we got stuck in the courthouse elevator for an hour during Ned's trial. When was that again, almost two months ago?"
Suddenly I realise what he means and why he's grinning. I open my mouth to gasp but instead find myself being kissed by the father of my child, I mean children. Have you ever had one of those days where nothing turns out as you expected?