Masquerade Chapter 62-64

Chapter 62 

After she talked to Sonny, Brenda quickly packed up her clothes and was on the road in less than 30 minutes. She is barely outside of the boundaries of the resort when her cell phone rings.

Rick: Would you like for me to answer that Mrs. Corinthos?
Brenda: It might be Sonny.
Rick: I doubt that Mr. Corinthos would like you to answer the phone while you’re driving.
Brenda: You’re right. Go ahead and answer the phone, but if it‘s Sonny I‘ll pull the car over.

Rick picks up the phone.

Rick: She can’t talk right now.

Brenda gives him a puzzled look.

Rick: Does it have to be done today? Fine, I’ll let her know.

He hangs up the phone.

Brenda: Who was that?
Rick: A woman from the real estate agency. She insists that you have to sign some papers today.   
Brenda: Does she want me to stop by her office?
Rick: No, she insists that you have to go out to the house. She says it will only take a few minutes.
Brenda: It is on our way into town. So, it isn’t a problem unless you think it might be a trap?
Rick: Why would the real estate agent want to set a trap?
Brenda: We don’t know that it really was a real estate agent. 
Rick: Who all knows about the house?
Brenda: Not many people, at least not many know that Sonny and I own the house.
Rick: I think it is safe, but I’ll keep my eyes open anyway.
Brenda: Fine with me.

Brenda turns off the main road, towards the house in the country. Back at the penthouse, Jason slowly opens that door and looks in on Sonny. He sees his friend sitting on the couch in the semi dark, nursing a bottle of scotch.

Jason: *Quietly* Sonny?
       
When he doesn’t get a response, he moves across the room until he is eye to eye with his friend.

Sonny: When did you get back?
Jason: An hour or so ago. Carly is getting Michael settled into the penthouse across the hall.
Sonny: You can tell her to go back to the mansion, I don’t need a babysitter.
Jason: You are not the reason we are staying the penthouse for awhile.
Sonny: You are a bad liar. 
Jason: Okay, lets just say you are not the only reason. Edward asked for Carly’s resignation from ELQ.
Sonny: It is about time!
Jason: I know that you don’t meant that Sonny.
Sonny: Yeah, I do.
Jason: Now who is lying? 
Sonny: She abuses her power continuously!
Jason: She has quadrupled profits and productivity. You’ve said so yourself, she is the best CEO ever!
Sonny: I’ve been wrong before. 
Jason: Not this time.
Sonny: *Taking a drink* Do you think Edward can really oust her?
Jason: It isn’t very likely, but it would be better for them not to live in the same house for awhile.
Sonny: Not to mention, you feel the need to keep an eye on me?
Jason: And Carly wants to be close by in case Brenda needs her support.
Sonny: Yeah, Brenda. Did you give her a key to the penthouse?
Jason: No, but Carly gave her a copy.
Sonny throws a glass against the wall.

Sonny: Damn It! I should have known that tramp would be the one!
Jason: Sonny, I know your angry, but don’t say things about Carly that aren’t true.
Sonny: What was she thinking?
Jason: Maybe that you need someone and she would rather it be Brenda than me.
Sonny: it was none of Carly’s business.
Jason: She thought she was helping a friend.
Sonny: Carly and me are not friends.
Jason: No, but her and Brenda have become close.
Sonny: I don’t want Brenda here!

Jason gives him a doubtful look.

Jason: Really? Because I think that you not only want her here, but you need her here.
Sonny: I do, I need her so bad that I think I might die without her by my side.
Jason: Then there is no problem.
Sonny: Yes there is, because As much as I ache for Brenda, she can’t be here right now.
Jason: Why not, she loves you and wants to help. I think she is the only one who can help.
Sonny: If I allow her to help me I will use up everything that she is and strip her of her essence. 
Jason: No you won’t.
Sonny: Yes, I will. I destroy everything that I touch. I will use her up until she no longer exists.
Jason: That is impossible, but even if you did that, Brenda would think it was worth the effort.
Sonny: Because she loves me?
Jason: Yes.
Sonny: Don’t you see, that makes it worse. To destroy the people you love is unforgivable.
Jason: You haven’t done that, ever.
Sonny: I killed Lily and our child. Now Hannah and our child are dead as well.
Jason: Lily was not your fault.
Sonny: Maybe, maybe not. But now I have the blood of two more innocents on my hands. 
Jason: I don’t think Hannah’s death was about you at all. I think the assassin was after Brenda.

Sonny gives his friends a shocked look.

Brenda pulls the car up to the barn on the edge of the farm land. It is starting to rain lightly, so she parks the car and her and Rick run to the porch on the front of the house. They find the realtor, Ms. Cory waiting. She unlocks the door and the three of them walk in, just as a cloud burst dumps buckets on rain. 

Realtor: I would like to throttle the person who decided that the driveway should end at the barn!

Brenda decides not to volunteer that it was her idea.  

Brenda: We made it in before the rain really started to fall.
Realtor: True, but we’ll get drenched when we leave.
Brenda: Come on Ms. Cory, surely you won’t melt!
Realtor: Have you seen the bridge to this place? I’ll be lucky to make it across before the river floods.
Brenda: Then a guess we should get down to business. Why exactly did you summon me?
Realtor: There are some finally papers that need to be signed before we can close the deal.
Brenda: What deal, I’m not buying the house. It is already in my name.
Realtor: Yes, in my 15 years as a realtor I have never met someone who tried to buy her own house!
Brenda: There were extenuating circumstances.   
Realtor: This whole deal has been downright weird! 
Brenda: I told you the house was made for me.
Realtor: Who would have thought you were being literal!
Brenda: Where do I sign? 
Realtor: Right here.

She hands her a document.

Brenda: What is this?
Realtor: It is just to close the deal and make everything final.

Brenda looks at the document.

Brenda: It all seems to be in order.

The realtor hands her another document.

Realtor: This one guarantees that I receive my brokering fee of 20% of the asking price.
Brenda: Wait a minute! You didn’t do anything, there was no sale!
Realtor: It is standard.
Brenda: I don’t think so.

She sings the first document, then pockets the second form.

Realtor: What do you think you are doing?
Brenda: I’ll have my husbands lawyer look it over and he’ll get back to you.
Realtor: Whatever! I’m just glad to be done with this deal.
Brenda: Are we finished here?
Realtor: Yes, do you need a lift back to town? I have a jeep. 
Brenda: No, I have my car.
Realtor: The river is raising, you may not be able to get across in a car. 
Brenda: I’ll be fine.

She didn’t really trust the woman, after all, she had tried to collect on a sale that never occurred.  

Realtor: Okay, suit yourself. 

The realtor leaves.

Rick: Mrs. Corinthos she is right. We need to leave before the river level rises.
Brenda: I know, but I I need to look around. I love this house!

Rick watches helplessly as Brenda happily climbs the stairs to the upper level of the house. In Port Charles, Sonny is still reeling from Jason’s news.
Sonny: What do you mean when you suggest that they were trying to kill Brenda? 
Jason: I haven’t completely figured out what happened. 
Sonny: Tell me what you do know.
Jason: The man who killed Hannah was an assassin.
Sonny: What does it have to do with Brenda?
Jason: The assassin committed suicide.
Sonny: That doesn’t sound like a hit man? How would he collect on the hit?
Jason: My thought exactly.
Sonny: How did he die?
Jason: He swallowed the contents of a vial.
Sonny: Like the man who attacked Brenda in the warehouse?
Jason: It appeared to be the same situation.
Sonny: How do you know they weren’t after me both times?
Jason: I don’t, except the man who attacked Brenda seemed to be a religious fanatic.  
Sonny: Something like that. 
Jason: There is more, and it will be hard for you to hear. 
Sonny: Go on.
Jason: That night, after Hannah was killed, we did a routine check of the cars.
Sonny: What did you find?
Jason: The brake lines had been cut on both Hannah and Brenda’s cars.
Sonny: Did you find out who cut the lines?
Jason: Yes and I questioned the guy personally.
Sonny: Who hired him? 
Jason: He said that Hannah hired him to cut the lines on a red Porsche.     
Sonny: He had to be lying. Why else would he cut both car’s lines?
Jason: He said that when he got there, he forgot which car he was supposed to cut, so he did both. 
Sonny: Jason, what are you saying?
Jason: Hannah wanted to kill Brenda.
Sonny: Are you telling me she hired and assassin to kill my wife, but got killed instead? 
Jason: I don’t know. I’m still trying to put together the pieces.
Sonny: Try a different angle!
Jason: I hope I’m wrong about this.
Sonny: Get out!
Jason: Okay, but I just wanted to let you know what I had found.

Jason leaves Sonny, knowing his friend is hurt and confused. He walks across the hall and back into his and Carly’s penthouse just as she is coming down the stairs. 

Carly: How is Sonny? 
Jason: Angry and hurt. I told him about Hannah having Brenda’s brake lines cut.
Carly: I’ll bet that went over about as well as the Hardinsburg!
Jason: He doesn’t want to believe it. He would rather blame himself for Hannah’s death.
Carly: So, what else is new? Sonny is unstable, what do you expect?
Jason: He needs help, I just hope that Brenda gets here quickly.
Carly: She left before we did, I wonder what is keeping her?
Jason: I don’t know, but Sonny really needs her right now.  
 

Across the hall, Sonny stands at the windowing watching rain pour down in sheets. Lost in thought, he is startled when the phone rings. He races to answer, hoping and praying that it is Brenda calling. 

Sonny: Brenda?
Brenda: Hi, how did you know it was me?
Sonny: Just hoping.

Sonny smiles despite his pervious mood. Something about her voice always seems to warm his heart and lighten his mood. He stands there for a few moments, not speaking, which starts to worry Brenda.

Brenda: Sonny are you there?
Sonny: I’m right here. 
Brenda: You scared me just now.
Sonny: *With concern* Where are you? You called me hours ago from the resort.
Brenda: I took a detour, I’m at the house.
Sonny: What house?
Brenda: Our Castle in the Air.

He liked the way she has called it theirs.

Sonny: What are you doing there? *Thinking to himself* When I need you here.
Brenda: The realtor wanted me to sign some papers to close the deal on the house.
Sonny: What deal? The house is yours, Brenda. I always was yours.
Brenda: I know, I guess she just wanted to be done with us.
Sonny: Is she still there with you?
Brenda: No, she left before the river rose to an impassable level. I’m stuck here!

His heart sank a notch or two, but he tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice. 

Sonny: The important thing is that you are safe.
Brenda: I want to be there with you, Sonny.
Sonny: I’m fine.

He was lying and she knew it.

Brenda: Honey, you don’t have to pretend with me. I can feel your heart, remember?
Sonny: I know. Tell me what you are doing right now.
Brenda: I’m sitting in front of a fire in our bedroom, wrapped up in a robe, drinking hot chocolate.
Sonny: I guess you found the pantry. There is some brandy in the living room.
Brenda: I don’t like brandy, you know that. I was surprised to find the house fully stocked.
Sonny: I used to stay there from time to time.
Brenda: You came to our house?
Sonny: When I needed to feel close to you. 
Brenda: How often? 
Sonny: Once or twice, since I came back to the States. We always said there was peace there.

It wasn’t a lot, but it moved Brenda that Sonny had been able to feel her in the house, that it was a place he had gone to find peace and connect with her. For once she understood why he had to sell the house, rather than share it with Hannah. 

Brenda: *Softly* I wish you were here right now.
Sonny: A part of me is always with you, Brenda. You have my heart.
Brenda: If I really concentrate I can feel your arms around me.
Sonny: I can see you sitting on the bed, the sun setting behind you, bathing you in soft light.
Brenda: I’m so glade that you had my picture window built on the west wall of the bedroom.
Sonny: To watch the sun set over the river.
Brenda: I guess I should thank mother nature for the river.
Sonny: Yeah, I want you get some sleep, then come home when the river level drops in the morning.
Brenda: Sonny, I feel like I am home.

This disturbed him, because a part of him feared that she would want to stay in the house instead of coming to him.  If she wanted to stay in the house, he would have to let her, because he couldn’t deny Brenda whatever her heart desired.

Sonny: *Choking on his own despair* I’m glade you are happy.

Brenda realizes that there is something terribly wrong and it frightens her to no end.    

Brenda: Sonny, I’m coming home tonight! 
Sonny: No, wait a minute, you’re settled in for the night.
Brenda: I’ll just get unsettled.
Sonny: You can’t cross the river while it is still raining.
Brenda: I’ll swim or float or something. You need me there, I can hear it in your voice.
Sonny: What I need is to know that you are safe, warm and dry. Please promise me you’ll stay put!

Brenda could hear the desperation in his voice and she didn’t want to add to his concern.

Brenda: Okay, I’ll stay here tonight, but as soon as the water level drops, I’m leaving.
Sonny: As long as Rick says it is safe.
Brenda: *Teasing* You don’t trust me judgment?
Sonny: You can be impetuous, at times. I just want to make sure that you are safe.
Brenda: I promise not to take any unnecessary risks. I love you, Sonny.
Sonny: Have Rick make you some dinner and then get some rest, sweetheart.

It wasn’t what she wanted to hear. She wanted him to say the words, that he loved her too. But, she could hear it in his voice and she knew it too be true. So she tells him good night and hangs up the phone.  The instant the line goes dead Sonny feels his heart break. For over a year he would have the same feeling after waking from a dream about Brenda. First feelings of joy and comfort because he felt close to her, then feelings of despair because he knew he couldn’t hold her, touch her, she wasn’t there and he needed her. He needed to feel her breath against his skin, he needed to see her eyes shine against the darkness of his soul. When she was with him he saw the world through her eyes and it was a beautiful sight. When they were apart his arms ached for her and his heart remained broken. He loved her with ever breath he took. He had never stopped loving her since the moment he had first seen her. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t be able to tell her he loved her just now, it wasn’t out of loyalty to Hannah and the baby that was for sure. Maybe, it was because he felt he hadn’t been loyal to Brenda. He knew he didn’t deserve her love, but he could never give up the one thing that made him feel alive.

Chapter 63
One night in the house turned into a three day stay before the rains let up and the river fell enough for Brenda and Rick to return to Port Charles. Rick was bring her bags up to the penthouse when she decided that maybe she should check with Jason and Carly and find out how Sonny was doing. She had tried to call him earlier, but all she had gotten was the machine. She knew he wasn’t out, so all she could figure was he was angry at her because she had stayed at the house for so long. She knocks on the door and is greeted by Jason.

Jason: Hi, Brenda. I didn’t know you were back.
Brenda: I called Carly this morning and told her I was leaving the house.
Jason: I guess she forgot to mention the call. I wonder if that had anything to do with her errand?   
Brenda: She didn’t mention an errand. Jason, how is Sonny.
Jason: He seems to be getting worse by the hour.
Brenda: Is he angry because I wasn’t here? 
Jason: He isn’t being rational. At one point he thought you had run off with Rick. 
Brenda: I should have found a way to reach him.
Jason: I don’t know if it would have helped. Like I said, he has stopped  making sense.
Brenda: I can reach him, I know I can.
Jason: I hope someone can.

They are interrupted by Carly, who comes into the apartment with tears in her eyes. 

Brenda: Carly, what happened?
Carly: I don’t know why you love him, Brenda. He is nothing but a pig.
Jason: *Disbelieving* You went to see Sonny?
Carly: I went to take flowers, to brighten up the place since Brenda was coming home. 
Jason: Let me guess, he didn’t like the idea.
Carly: He threw the flowers, vase and all, on the floor.
Brenda: I’m sorry, it was a kind gesture.
Carly: I was trying to add a little life and color. The place looked like a mausoleum.
Jason: Sonny is allergic to life and color. 
Carly: He needs to think of Brenda. No new wife should have to come home to that tomb.
Brenda: It’s okay, I’m used to the penthouse.
Carly: You shouldn’t have to live like that, Brenda.
Brenda: Really, it is fine, Carly. I appreciate your concern. 
Carly: I also told him that he should stop drinking and pull himself together before you got home.
Jason: I’ll bet he reacted well to that suggestion. 
Brenda: *With concern in her voice* Sonny has been drinking?
Carly: Pretty much nonstop by the look of it.
Brenda: I need to go to him.
Carly: Brenda, are you sure? Maybe Jason should just go over there and let him know you are here.
Brenda: Carly, you’re the one who gave me her copy of the key. 
Carly: I know, but I was just over there and Sonny isn’t in a very good mood.
Brenda: He won’t hurt me, Carly.
Carly: I know.
Brenda: You don’t have to worry.
Jason: Wait, I need to ask you a question.
Brenda: Sure.
Jason: What happened the night you were attacked in the warehouse?
Brenda: You were there for part of it. Some lunatic grabbed me on the docks, and knocked out Lois!
Jason: I know, I heard the official report, now I want the truth. 
Carly: Jase, where is this coming from?
Brenda: Yeah, Jason why are you bringing this up now?
Jason: Because your attack is somehow linked to Hannah’s death.
Carly: How?
Jason: That is what I’m trying to find out. Your attack wasn’t random, was it, Brenda?
Brenda: No.
Jason: Do you want to tell me what it all has to do with Juan Marco Chavez?  
Brenda: I don’t know and that is the truth!
Jason: You have your suspicions? 
Brenda: Yes, I know that the man who attacked me believed he was doing it for Chavez. 
Carly: Chavez is dead, I read about it in the paper. He and all his followers committed suicide.
Brenda: I know, I was there.
Jason: I knew it was something like that, the vials suddenly make sense. 
Carly: You mean the one you found beside the man who killed Hannah?
Jason: Right, it was the same as the one we found on the guy who attacked Brenda. 
Brenda: That guy had two of them, he tried to get me to swallow its contents.
Carly: So what does that tell us? Some cult members were trying to kill Sonny’s women.
Brenda: No, they were just trying to kill me! Oh my god! Hannah is dead because of me!
Jason: Exactly what happened on that island, Brenda?
Brenda: I don’t know. I woke up there one morning with no idea how I got there.
Carly: Is she in danger, Jase?
Jason: Probably not at the moment. 
Brenda: Probably not? A little more reassurance would be nice!
Jason: They probably think that they accomplished their mission and you are dead. 
Brenda: Because they made a mistake and killed someone who looked like me?
Jason: I guess it was a good thing that they made their move at the masquerade.
Brenda: Hannah is dead and it is all my fault! That isn’t a good thing Jason!
Carly: Brenda, it isn’t your fault. If Hannah had just stayed away.
Brenda: Then I would be dead!
Carly: Maybe not. Are you going to tell Sonny.
Brenda: Yes!
Jason: No!
Brenda: What do you mean? We have to tell him because you know he blames himself.
Jason: I know, but this might not change how he feels.
Brenda: It has to, because it isn’t his fault. Hannah’s death had nothing to do with Sonny.
Carly: Jason is right, Sonny would still find a way to make it be his fault.
Jason: I need more time to figure out what is really going on here.
Brenda: So, I should just let Sonny continue to be miserable? 
Jason: No, you should help him in whatever way you can and let me handle the rest.
Brenda: I’m going to go to Sonny.
Carly: Brenda, trust Jason. 
Brenda: I have to do what I think is best for Sonny.
Jason: You should be warned that it is liable to make him angry.
Brenda: I can handle Sonny’s anger.
Carly: Maybe, but I want you to call me in an hour and let me know that you are okay.
Brenda: Whatever you say, “Mom”.
Carly: I’m serious, if I don’t hear from you in an hour, I’m going over there!
  
Carly and Jason watch her leave, with worried looks on there faces. Brenda finds Rick and her luggage piled up in the hall.

Rick: The door is locked.
Brenda: I wonder where Johnny is? He should be guarding the door.

She takes out the key and unlocks the door to find Johnny sitting on a chair inside the doorway. Sonny is standing at the window with his back to the door, the crystal vase and Carly’s flowers are spread across the entrance area. Sonny doesn’t turn around or acknowledge in anyway that any one else is in the room.  

Johnny: I heard the vase fall and came in to find him yelling at Mrs. Quartermaine.
Brenda: I’m glad that you stayed with him.
Johnny: It was the least I could do.
Brenda: Rick, you can leave my bags right there and wait outside.
Rick: are you sure?
Brenda: Yes, you too Johnny.

The bodyguards exchange helpless looks.

Johnny: I would feel better if at least one of us stayed inside.
Brenda: We’ll be fine.
Johnny: Okay, we will be right outside if you need anything.    

Brenda walks over to the window, scanning Sonny for some indication of his mood. Not that she really needs confirmation, she knows he is hurting. She has known for days that he was in pain. She reaches out to him, embracing him from behind, and he doesn’t pull away. 

Sonny: I wasn’t sure you were coming.
Brenda: Nothing, short of a flood could keep me away. I tried to call. You didn’t answer.
Sonny: I turned the machine down. 
Brenda: I wish I had gotten here sooner.
Sonny: Yeah, me too. Do you know how much I need you right now?
Brenda: I think so.
Sonny: I’m not sure that you could know, because I don’t even know.
Brenda: I do, because I know your heart. I can see into your soul, honey.
Sonny: That must be a horrible sight!
Brenda: No, it’s beautiful sight. You may be hurting right now, but you have a beautiful soul. 
Sonny: Only you think so. 
Brenda: I know it to be true and I’ll challenge anyone who says differently!
Sonny: Even if it happens to be Carly?

Her eyes dart to the flowers.

Brenda: You startled Carly, that is all. 
Sonny: I meant to scare the living daylights out of her. 
Brenda: She should have known better than to try and cheer you up.
Sonny: She left here in tears, you know it is all an act to get sympathy from Jason. 
Brenda: I think there is more to it than that. 
Sonny: Did I mention how much I need you?

He turns around, his eyes meeting her for the first time in days. Through his eyes she can see the sadness in his heart and soul. He looks as if he hasn’t slept for hours, maybe even since the night Hannah died when he slept in Brenda’s arms. He reaches out and touches Brenda’s face, gently. It is almost as if she is a porcelain doll he is afraid he will break. He draws her to him and kisses her passionately. She can smell the scotch on his breath and she can feel the desperation in his embrace. She feels him drawing strength and love from the kiss as well, which she is more than happy to give. It is only when she feels on her cheeks the wetness from his tears that she realizes he might need far more strength than she is able to give.     

Sonny:*Pulling Back* I'm so glad you are home.
Brenda: I'm here to stay, always. 
      
Chapter 64
Brenda places a bowl of soup in front of Sonny. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was the best she could do with what she found in the kitchen. When she leans over Sonny, she affects him physically. 

Sonny: Is that a new perfume you are wearing?
Brenda: New to you maybe.
Sonny: It's nice.

Sonny looks at the soup for several minutes.

Brenda: Is something wrong?
Sonny: I'm just not hungry.
Brenda: I know, but you should try to eat something anyway.

Sonny tries to eat the soup and enjoy it, but he is too numb to taste the food.

Brenda: Is the soup all right?
Sonny: I'm sure it is delicious, I guess I'm just not hungry.

Brenda tries to hide her disappointment as he pushes the bowl to one side.

Brenda: You don't have to eat now, you can save it for later after you rest.
Sonny: I'm not tired.
Brenda: I know, you are beyond being tired, you are exhausted.
Sonny: I can't go up stairs.
Brenda: I wouldn't ask you to do that, honey.

She takes him by the hand and leads him to the couch.

Brenda: I want to give you all the space you need to heal, though.
Sonny: What does that mean?
Brenda: I'm not sure. All I know is that you have suffered a loss and I don't want to move to fast.
Sonny: You made me soup and I asked you to hold me, that is all I ask.

Sonny: I can't escape Hannah. Everywhere I go smell her scent and see her things.
Brenda: She shouldn't have moved her things in. 
Sonny: I didn't expect her to move in without my knowledge. I can't even go upstairs. 

Brenda gives him a sympathetic look.
 
Brenda: That is why you commented on my perfume.
Sonny: I found one of her hair clips in the kitchen. Can you believe that?
Brenda: I'm surprised that you even let her in the kitchen.
Sonny: It wasn't so much about letting her do anything. She would just do it!
Brenda: I could go through and get rind of her things. 
Sonny: *Softly* No, I just thought maybe if I could be close to you, I could forget her for a while. 

Sonny runs his hands through his hair. Brenda can tell that he hasn't slept in days, when he looks at her now it is with desperation.

Sonny: I'm not making much sense. I guess I have no right to ask you for something so personal.
Brenda: It's okay, you don't have to make complete sense right now, honey. 
Sonny: Can you hold me?

Brenda wraps her arms around him, as he leans his head on her shoulder. 
She held him the way he had held her so many times, with love and protection. 
She wanted to try and make her arms a place where he could feel safe. 

Brenda: *Softly* Try and get some sleep.
Sonny: Brenda?
Brenda: Yes, honey, I'm right here.
Sonny: Will you stay with me, for a while at least?
Brenda: I'm here for as long as you need.

As he drifts off to sleep she allows soft tears to fall down her cheeks. It is ripping her apart to see Sonny in this state and know that there is so little that she can do to ease his pain. This is the first time that she has cried since Hannah's death and it is only because she knows that he can't see her expression of emotion. She decided that she was going to be strong for his benefit and give him all the support he needs. This pretense of unwavering strength is difficult for Brenda, because seeing the man that she love in pain is causing her to hurt as well.  
Brenda watched him sleep restlessly for about an hour, before he wakes with a start. He stares straight into space, worrying Brenda to know end.

Brenda: Sonny, you were dreaming.
Sonny: Are you sure this isn't the dream?
Brenda: I'm real.

She wraps her arms around him tightly. Brenda desperately wanted to take away all of his pain. To make him whole again the way he had made her feel since she had returned from the dead. She loved him desperately and she needed him in her life. He did not care who she had been in the past or what she had done. She had made so many mistakes. Yet somehow he was able to forgive her. He loved her for who she was right now. He made her feel safe and loved and she wanted to do the same for Sonny. She loved the way his strong arms felt when they were around her. She wanted to make him feel as safe as he made her feel so many times.

Sonny:*Desperately* I need you right now.

Brenda knew what he meant, he didn't just need her beside him, he needed her to be with him. 

Brenda: Let me help you feel as safe as you always make me feel.
Sonny: Will you let me make love to you?

She doesn’t answer, but he can see the answer written on her face. As he reaches up and tenderly strokes her face, their eyes meet, and he knows that she won't deny his request. They were always able to communicate without speaking a word. Sonny always knew what was in her heart. Brenda always knew what was in his.

Brenda isn't sure if Sonny rises to meet her or if she is drawn to him as they come together in a kiss of love and desire and hope. Their kissing becomes more intense as she runs her hand down his shirt and unbuttons it and slides it off his shoulders. He reaches up and unzips her dress and lets it slid to the floor. She trails kisses up and down his chest, neck and shoulders. He lifts her head up until she is looking him directly in the eyes.

Their lips connect again and they kiss deeply and passionately. It is a kiss that is tinged with passion, fire, despair and hope. Sonny drinks it in and allows it to revitalize and renew him. He kisses her neck and shoulders. She moans with pleasure as kisses her upper body. He moves his mouth over hers again and picks her up and carries her to the downstairs bedroom, never once removing his mouth from hers. She sighs with pleasure as he gently places her on the bed, before joining her.

 They make love and then spend time wrapped in each other’s arms.
Chapter 65

Sonny looks down at Brenda, wrapped in his arms, looking so alive and beautiful. He finds that he is so filled with love and emotion that it almost makes him cry. It reminds him of the morning after the first time they made love. Sometimes the love that he feels for Brenda is so intense and wonderful that he can’t believe it is real. At the same time, that same intensity scared him to death. Brenda can tell that he has something on his mind, because he has a far away look in his eyes. The look that he gets when he is worried or scared. Fear grips her heart as she starts to wonder if Sonny is having regrets about making love to her. 

Brenda: Honey, what’s wrong?
Sonny: Nothing, in fact I have never been better.

He kisses her on the forehead in the dismissive fashion that she has learned to recognize from years of practice. 

Brenda: Are you sorry we made love just now?
Sonny: No, I needed you and you were here for me. I could never regret being with you.  
Brenda: I hope not.
Sonny: I was just thinking about the first time we made love.
Brenda: In Washington D.C.
Sonny: Yeah, I never told you how I felt the next morning.
Brenda: If I remember correctly, you showed me how you felt about me.
Sonny: I know, but I need you to know the whole truth about that morning.
Brenda: Okay, if that is what you need.

Sonny takes a breath and lets it out quickly. 

Sonny: Okay, that morning as I watched you sleep I really thought that you were beauty realized.
Brenda: That is so sweet.
Sonny: It is true. I knew that something profound and intense had happened between us.
Brenda: I felt the same way, then you confused me by being distant at first.
Sonny: That was because I was confused myself, but mostly I was terrified of my feelings.
Brenda: You were so brave about everything else.
Sonny: I know, but I had never fallen deeply and madly in love before.
Brenda: You were in love with me that morning?
Sonny: I’m not sure, but I know that those feelings lead to the deepest love I ever felt.
Brenda: We have gotten way past all of that, haven’t we?
Sonny: I thought so, then I saw you right now and I felt the same way I felt that morning.
Brenda: You are scared of your feelings for me?
Sonny: I’m scared that I’ll hurt you Brenda. 
Brenda: Not a chance!
Sonny: I don’t want to devastate you, sweetheart, not the way I destroyed Lily and Hannah. 
Brenda: *Blinking back tears* You think I’m going to die?
Sonny: I kill the people I care about. First Lily and our child, now Hannah and her child.
Brenda: No, Sonny. Hannah was different. It wasn’t about you this time. 
Sonny: How can you say that?
Brenda: Because I know it to be true. They weren’t trying to kill you, it was me they wanted dead!
Sonny: I will not allow you to take responsibility for my mistakes!
Brenda: It was there mistake. They mistook Hannah for me, I was the one who was supposed to die. 

Sonny looks at her eyes and he knows she is telling the truth.

Sonny: I don’t understand. 
Brenda: You know I have been keeping a secret from you ever since the attack in the warehouse?
Sonny: Yes.
Brenda: I think it is time I told you what happened, even though it might make you hate me.
Sonny: That is impossible. 
Brenda: I’m not so sure. I know who the guy was who attacked me in the warehouse.
Sonny: I suspected that you knew more than you were letting on.
Brenda: He was a follower of the South American cult leader Juan Marco Chavez.
Sonny: Why was he attacking you?
Brenda: Because I was supposed to die with the other followers that were on the island off of Chile.
Sonny: Why would you think something so strange? 
Brenda: Because I was on that island right before all those people died. 
Sonny: I thought you couldn’t remember where you had been before you returned to Port Charles?
Brenda: I can’t remember how I got to the island. 
Sonny: How did you get away from Chavez?
Brenda: I woke up one morning and knew I wasn’t in the right place. 
Sonny: You didn’t answer my question.
Brenda: I just walked out and made my way to Chile on a fishing boat.

Sonny won’t look at her when he asks the next question, but she can hear the bitterness in his voice.

Sonny: Were you and Chavez lovers?
Brenda: *Tears streaming down her face* I don’t know for sure.
Sonny: *Anger and disbelief * How can you not know? 
Brenda: I don’t remember. I woke up in his bed, but I was fully dressed.
Sonny: Was he dead when you left?
Brenda: I didn’t check for a pulse. I was terrified and I left the island as quickly as I could.
Sonny: You really don’t remember anything else?
Brenda: I’m telling you the truth.
Sonny: I’m trying to believe that, Brenda, but this is difficult.
Brenda: Do you think I’m a whore? 
Sonny: No, of course not. I think you were doing what was necessary in order to survive.
Brenda: I don’t even know what I did or who I did it with.
Sonny: Brenda, you don’t even remember what happened. How can I hold you responsible?
Brenda: If what you are saying is true, why won’t you look at me, Sonny?
Sonny: Because I wish you would have come to me and told me right away.
Brenda: I couldn’t risk you thinking less of me. 
Sonny: *Shocked* You were ashamed of what you can’t even remember doing?
Brenda: Sonny, I love you so much and I want to be the woman you deserve.
Sonny: I don’t deserve you Brenda, I never will, but I do want to protect you.
Brenda: I guess I don’t make it very easy sometimes.
Sonny: Hardly ever, but it helps for me to know what I’m protecting you from. 
Brenda: I’m sorry, but do you know what this means?
Sonny: That you will have two guards at all times!
Brenda: That isn’t what I was thinking.
Sonny: It’s the truth though. If I would have had two guards on Hannah, she might still be alive. 
Brenda: Sonny, you didn’t know!
Sonny: It should have been second nature.
Brenda: Sonny, there are no more secrets between us, we can move on now.
Sonny: *Signing*  Can we really?
Brenda: I think we should start over by moving to the house.
Sonny: *Sounding doubtful* You think that is for the best?
Brenda: We need a fresh start. I love it there and I know you will love it just as much.   
Sonny: I think you should go live in the house, but it will have to be without me.
Brenda: I want you to come with me, You need the peace the house has to give.
Sonny: I’ll never have peace.
Brenda: Don’t say that. You had peace today, for a while,  I could feel it.
Sonny: It’s true that when we made love it helped me to forget, but only for awhile.
Brenda: I know it won’t happen right away, but you will heal, Sonny. 
Sonny: You’re asking me to forget that Hannah and our child existed.
Brenda: No, I know that is impossible. I’m asking you to make a future with me, honey.
   
Brenda stands up and  puts on a robe, then starts to walk away. She feels like she is about to cry at any moment. She can’t stand the fact that he still feels responsible for Hannah’s death. It sickens her to know that even in death a woman that was never worthy of Sonny stills holds his heart prisoner. Because Brenda knows that Sonny can’t fully give himself to her and their future until he lets go of the past. Brenda turns her back because she doesn't want him to see her fall apart because she knows he will blame himself. She can't stand the thought of causing him more guilt. 


Brenda: I don't need to stand here and take this. I’m so sick of you feeling guilty about everything.
Sonny: Leave, everybody else does. My father and my mother and Lily, even Stone and Robin.
Brenda: You would love that, because then you could just feel guilty some more.
Sonny: I don’t want you to leave, but everybody always does anyway.
Brenda: I'm not everybody Sonny. 

She turns to face him.

Sonny: You’re leaving anyway. I guess I deserve it though. I never could figure out how to treat you.

Brenda: I'm not leaving Sonny, I'm going to stay right here with you and see you through this.
Sonny: Why bother?
Brenda: I don't know, maybe because I love you, stupid?

She gives him a sad little smile. Sonny tires to make a lame attempt at humor. 

Sonny: Are you calling me stupid?
Brenda: Yes, no not really, I'm calling you stubborn, but I'm stubborn as well.

She sits back down on the edge of the bed and caresses his cheek.

Sonny: Why won’t you ever give up on me?
Brenda: Because we need each other, we always will. Let me help you, Sonny.
Sonny: What if I’ can’t be helped?
Brenda: You can, I know you as well as I know my own heart. You aren’t broken Sonny.
Sonny: A lot of people would disagree.
Brenda: They would be mistaken. 
Sonny: I'm not likely going to be an easy person to be around.
Brenda: When are you ever?
Sonny: I, mean it this time. I don’t want to hurt you Brenda.
Brenda: I survived death and who knows what. I do have a few requests though.
Sonny: Does this have to do with closet space?
Brenda: No, Sonny you can't drink while I'm here and you can't yell at me.
Sonny: Why not?
Brenda: Because I can't handle either of those two things and they are related. 
Sonny: *Teasing* I think you can handle anything.
Brenda: Sonny, please, I‘m serious.
Sonny: Okay, I'll try, because I really need you Brenda. More than I need a drink or need to yell.
Brenda: I know, I have to go for awhile though.
Sonny: Where do you have to go and for how long?
Brenda: I won't be gone long, I need some things from my room above Kelly's.
Sonny: Send Johnny.
Brenda: I need personal things, Sonny.
Sonny: Johnny doesn't care.    
Brenda: I care and I think you would care. I don't want Johnny packing my lingerie and stuff.
Sonny: You've got a point. Take Rick and Johnny with you.
Brenda: Who is going to stay with you?
Sonny: I’ll be fine, after all your theory places me at the center of safety.
Brenda: I didn’t tell you those things so that you could become careless. 

Sonny gets out of bed and puts his clothes back on.

Sonny: Never mind, I’ll tell Rick and Johnny myself.

He leaves the room, before she can comment. Just as he does the phone rings.

Brenda: Hello?
Carly: Brenda, are you okay?
Brenda: I’m fine.
Carly: You didn’t call in an hour so I got worried.
Brenda: I’m sorry, I forgot.
Carly: Is everything really going all right?
Brenda: Yes, Sonny is letting me stay with him. I was even able to salvage some of your flowers.
Carly: I’m not worried about the flowers, I’m worried about you being alone with Sonny.
Brenda: Carly, Sonny won’t hurt me, he never would.
Carly: You don’t have to hide it Brenda. I know how he gets, he isn’t stable.

Brenda had to wonder how much Carly really knew about Sonny. No one had told Brenda about Sonny’s breakdown a few months earlier when Juan was in the hospital. She had no idea how Carly had stayed by his side during that time.   

Brenda: You, know for someone who claims to detest Sonny, you sure worry about him.
Carly: I never said that I detested Sonny, but I’m worried about you.

Brenda felt that there was more to it than that, but she decides to press the issue at a later time.

Brenda: I need to go to Kelly’s and pack some things. I’ll stop by and see you later.
Carly: Okay, but do me a favor?
Brenda: What?
Carly: Keep your room above Kelly’s.
Brenda: Why? 
Carly: Because everybody needs to keep a refuge close at hand.

Brenda hangs up the phone, slightly disturbed by the last thing that Carly had said. She quickly dismisses any doubts that she is doing the right thing with Sonny. She gets dressed and finds him in the living room, sitting on the couch. 

Sonny: Johnny and Rick are bringing the car around.
Brenda: I won’t be long. 
Sonny: I know.

Brenda sits on the edge of the couch and takes his hands in her hands. 

Brenda: This is right, tell me you believe me?
Sonny: I trust you.

Brenda can see the lost look in his eyes that seems to be such a prevailing part of his public identity. She wants to take away his pain so badly and make him whole again. Impulsively she leans across and kisses Sonny with such passion and eagerness that she literally takes his breath away as they kiss for what seems like an eternity. He wasn’t used to her having such power over him, usually he is the one who leaves her breathless. It makes him realize once and for all the depth of his love for her and how much he really needs her in his life, how much he needs the feelings that only she can give.  She finally pulls away from him, but he still holds her tightly in his arms. 
Brenda: *Whispering* Are you going to be okay?
Sonny: I’ll be fine.
Sonny watches her leave, the minute she is gone he misses her. Every time she walks out of his life, even for a few hours, he feels and emptiness in his heart that can’t be filled until she returns. He looks at a bottle of scotch on the table. He picks up the bottle and fills a nearby glass. She asked him not to drink while she was around, but she wasn’t there now and that was part of the reason he needed a drink. He down the glass of the smooth liquid and pours the rest of the bottle into the glass. Brenda steps outside into the hall, pushes the button for the elevator and promptly faints flat on the floor. 
 
Chapter 66 
Brenda didn’t make it to Kelly’s the day she fainted. She went across the hall and spent some time with Carly, then she went back to the penthouse and told Sonny she had changed her mind about needing more close. She didn’t tell anyone what had happened in the hall, not Sonny or Carly or even Lois. She was cared to death that there was some serious problem with her health. Something left over from the accident and she couldn’t deal with it at the moment. She also made the choice not to deal with Sonny’s drinking. She knew that he had a drink the minute she left the penthouse, even though she had asked him not to, but in the last week he hadn’t had another drink. So, she considered that a small victory in a large battle. As for her own health, she had been so busy taking care of Sonny over the past week that she hadn’t given much thought to how she felt. For the first time since she had moved back into the penthouse, she went upstairs. Sonny hadn’t been exaggerating, Hannah’s things were all over the upstairs. In the master bath and in the bedroom. The worst part was that her scent was everywhere, in the sheets and in the carpeting. The whole upstairs smelled to Brenda like the perfume Deception.   
Brenda had liked that scent when she was a model for Deception, now the smell of it made her feel sick. Brenda feels as if she is going to heave at any moment, so she goes back downstairs. Sonny is busy setting the table for breakfast and doesn’t notice that she has stopped on the stairs to watch him. He seems more calm and relaxed than Brenda has seen him in days. For the first time in a week, he has shaved and combed his hair, and he looks good. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he is wearing one of Brenda’s favorite blue shirts. Brenda isn’t sure what it is about Sonny and the color blue, but whenever he wears that blue shirt she has an overwhelming urge to take it off of his body. She can’t remember any other man ever having that affect on her except for Sonny. A smile spreads across her face, but it melts when Sonny looks up at her, standing on the stairs, and has disapproval in his eyes.

Sonny: *Perturbed* What were you doing upstairs?

He was acting as if she had just broken an important rule and she didn’t like it. If it were a rule, it was an unspoken one, because in the week she had been back they hadn’t gone upstairs once.

Brenda: I was just checking things out.
Sonny: I don’t want you up there.
Brenda: *Sadly* Not ever?
Sonny: I made you breakfast. Why don’t you come down and check it out?

He indicates the table where he has placed what looks to Brenda like a buffet.

Brenda: Wow! You must be feeling better.
Sonny: I’m feeling fine. Why do we always have to talk about my feelings.

He pulls out a chair for Brenda.

Brenda: Sorry. 

She sits down at the table, while he moves to his desk and sits with his back to her.

Brenda: Aren’t you eating?
Sonny: I already ate.
Brenda: *Disappointed* When?
Sonny: While you were on your grand tour I guess. 
Brenda: I’m getting tired of being in exile, Sonny.
Sonny: No one is in exile. How is breakfast?
Brenda: It looks like a lot of food.
Sonny: I wasn’t sure what you wanted.     
Brenda: Is your company too much to ask?
Sonny: I have some papers to go over before the meeting.
Brenda: What meeting?
Sonny: There is a big meeting with a coffee distributor later this morning.    
Brenda: So, Jason will take the meeting.
Sonny: Jason has taken every meeting this week. I want to sit in on this one, babe.
Brenda: We need to talk, Sonny.
Sonny: So, talk, I’m listening. 

He has his face buried in papers and she isn’t sure that he is listening at all.

Brenda: Sonny, we need to move back upstairs.
Sonny: Whatever you want sweetheart.
Brenda: I want to be the only woman living in this house. I don’t want to share it with a ghost.

Sonny closes the file and walks over to Brenda.

Sonny: Brenda, you are the only woman in my life and in my heart.

He kisses her lovingly. 

Brenda: Then you don’t mind if I make some changes, to make this more my home?
Sonny: Of course not, as long as they are in reason. Now your breakfast is getting cold.
Brenda: Thank you for making it for me.
Sonny: Well, you have been taking care of me. I wanted to do something nice for you, baby.
Brenda: Can we do something special tonight?
Sonny: What is the occasion? 
Brenda: You’re up and back at the coffee warehouse, that is enough of an occasion.  
Sonny: I’m not sure I’m ready to go out, but if that is what you need.
Brenda: All I need is your undivided attention for one evening. 

Sonny smiles for the first time in over a week. 

Sonny: I think I can handle that, sweetheart. What can I do to help?
Brenda: Nothing, I want to surprise you if that is okay?
Sonny: You are always surprising me. 

Brenda: How long is this meeting going to take?
Sonny: I could be gone most of the day. Now, I’ve got to go.

He gives her another kiss and starts to pull away, but she pulls him to her instead. She gives him a sweltering look then very slowly kisses him with hot passionate lips. 

Sonny: I really need to go.
Brenda: I’ll see you tonight.

She watches him leave, then looks down at the food on her plate and feels sick. If her and Sonny are ever going to have any real peace, she has to get rid of Hannah’s presence in the penthouse. She leaves the food on the table and calls Carly.

Carly: Hello?
Brenda: It’s Brenda, can you come over?
Carly: I’m out the door.

In less than a minute, Johnny is knocking on the door and announcing Carly.

Brenda: It is kind of nice to have you across the hall.
Carly: Really, because we can stay in the penthouse as long as you need me.

Brenda notices that Carly is anxiously looking around the room. 

Brenda: Relax, Carly, Sonny is gone.

This just increases Carly’s worry. 

Carly: What do you mean, “he’s gone?”
Brenda: He went to a meeting at the warehouse.
Carly: *Relaxing* Oh.

Carly sits on the edge of the table and starts nibbling at the food.

Carly: This is pretty good.
Brenda: I know, Sonny made me a full breakfast.
Carly: You have hardly touched it.
Brenda: I’m not hungry, but I need your help.
Carly: What happened?
Brenda: Nothing, but Sonny and I have been sleeping downstairs for a week.
Carly: Isn’t the bed upstairs more comfortable?
Brenda: Yes, but Hannah’s things are up there. I went up this morning and it was making me sick.
Carly: What do you need me to do?
Brenda: Help me fumigate the place or exercise it of her ghost or whatever.
Carly: You don’t mean ghost literally, do you?  
Brenda: No, but she does have a presence here that I need to get rid of. 
Carly: Did you clear this with Sonny?
Brenda: I told him I was tired of sharing this place with another woman.
Carly: He was okay with that?
Brenda: He told me I could do whatever I wanted.
Carly: *Excited* I have been waiting for this moment for over a year!
Brenda: What are you talking about?
Carly: Lets redecorate! I have wallpaper samples across the hall.
Brenda: I don’t think that Sonny had that in mind. He kind of likes it the way it is.
Carly: Brenda, this place is like a tomb!
Brenda: I’m not disagreeing, but Sonny and I aren’t staying here forever.
Carly: *Disappointed* I thought you liked living across the hall from me and Jase?
Brenda: We do, but we plan on moving to our place in the country.
Carly: That is where you just were.
Brenda: Yes, it is my dream house. I designed it and Sonny had it built.
Carly: Why aren’t you living there now?
Brenda: I asked Sonny to move in there with me, but he isn’t ready.
Carly: You are though, so you should just go.
Brenda: Sonny needs me to be near him right now.
Carly: What about what you need?
Brenda: I spent 3 nights there without Sonny. That isn’t what I need full time.
Carly: You need to be taken care of, Brenda.
Brenda: Believe it or not, Sonny takes care of me. He made me breakfast.
Carly: Which you hardly touched!
Brenda: I can’t eat until I get Hannah out of here.
Carly: Okay, so where do we start?
Brenda: Up stairs, that is where most of her things are located.

Carly grabs a fresh baked muffin before following Brenda up to the master bedroom.

Carly: are you sure that you don’t want a bite of this muffin it is to die for.

She hands it to Brenda who brushes it aside.

Brenda: Get that thing away from me, you eat it!

Carly is puzzled by Brenda’s reaction.

Carly: You sure are sensitive this morning.
Brenda: How can you eat when her scent is everywhere?
Carly: I open my mouth, take a bite of fresh baked pastry, close and chew.
Brenda: Lets get to work.
Carly: Okay, why don’t I start in the bathroom and you can take this room.

Carly goes to the bathroom and starts throwing away anything and everything that doesn't look  like it belongs to Sonny. She comes back into the bed room and finds Brenda sitting on a chair.

Brenda: I don’t know where to start.
Carly: It’s a good bet that we need to burn the sheets, that is for sure.
Brenda: Thank you for that wonderful mental image!
Carly: Sorry!

She starts taking the sheets off the bed.

Brenda: I’ll clean out the closet.
 
She starts to take Hannah’s clothes out of the closet.

Brenda: Why do you suppose that all of Hannah’s clothes were black?
Carly: I have no idea, maybe she was trying to look thin.
Brenda: What should we do with all this stuff?
Carly: Burn it all!
Brenda: Carly!
Carly: Okay, I guess we could have Francis or Johnny put it in storage until Sonny can decide.
Brenda: That sounds reasonable.

Brenda feels slightly light headed and sits on the edge of the bed.

Carly: Are you okay?
Brenda: Yeah, I just lost my balance there for a minute, again. 
Carly: Has this happened before?
Brenda: Once, about a week ago. Since then I have been feeling under the weather.
Carly: Lie down and tell Nurse Carly your symptoms.
Brenda: “Nurse Carly?” You are delusional!
Carly: I didn’t ask for my symptoms, I asked for yours, Brenda.
Brenda: You are not a nurse!
Carly: I went to nursing school.
Brenda: Are you serious?
Carly: I was going to become a physical therapist.
Brenda: What happened?
Carly: I found out I would have to treat rich snobs like Katherine Bell!
Brenda: Katherine could make anyone rethink their career path!
Carly: It worked for me.
Brenda: Me too.
Carly: I do have basic medical training, though. So tell me your symptoms.
Brenda: I feel queasy sometimes and light headed.
Carly: Any head aches or muscle aches?
Brenda: No, but I think I might have a stomach virus or something.
Carly: More like or something. Brenda you’re pregnant!
Brenda: Don’t start that rumor again, Carly or I swear I’ll stop talking to you!
Carly: It makes better sense than the flu. 
Brenda: No, it doesn’t make sense at all.
Carly: It is easy enough to find out, I have a pregnancy kit across the hall!
Brenda: Carly, you are over reacting. I’m stressed out, that’s all!
Carly: I think there is more to it than that and you know it too!
Brenda: Carly, lets drop it for now, okay?
Carly: Fine!

Both women look up and see Johnny standing in the door way.

Brenda: What did you hear?
Johnny: Nothing. 
Carly: Then why are you here?
Johnny: This came for Mrs. Corinthos in the mail and it looked important.

He hands Brenda a manila envelope.

Johnny: Do you need anything?
Brenda: Actually, can you take these clothes and things to storage?

Johnny picks up the pile of clothes.

Johnny: I’ll come back for the rest.
Brenda: Thanks, Johnny.
Johnny: I maybe out of line, but I’m glad the boss married you instead of Ms. Scott.
Brenda: *Smiling* So am I.

Brenda looks down at the envelope.

Brenda: It is from the resort. Don’t tell me it’s a bill?
Carly: It shouldn’t be a bill. ELQ took care of the cost of the retreat. 

Brenda opens it and realizes that it is a file.

Brenda: It’s the file that was given to me at the party.
Carly: What is in it?
Brenda: I don’t know. I suppose it has something to do with L&B or the house.
Carly: Go ahead and check it out.

Brenda opens the file and glances over it. 

Brenda: Great timing! It is the paternity test confirming Sonny as the father of Hannah’s child.
Carly: Let me see that!

Brenda hands her the file.

Brenda: It is all there in black and white!
Carly: Brenda, this is impossible! 
Brenda: Why, Sonny slept with Hannah and they conceived a child. 
Carly: Brenda, these tests take days to perform. you were given the file at the party?
Brenda: Yes, just before I saw you.
Carly: Sonny had found out about the pregnancy the same day you were given the file!
Brenda: You’re right! There wasn’t time to perform a paternity test!
Carly: I knew the Banana slut was lying!
Brenda: Unless, Sonny knew about the baby earlier?
Carly: No, because he would have told Jason and wouldn’t have married you.
Brenda: True, Sonny never would have married me if he thought Hannah was pregnant.
Carly: You have to show this to Sonny right away!
Brenda: I can’t!
Carly: Why not? He needs to know that she was lying about the baby!
Brenda: He would just say it was a mistake. I don’t even know who gave me this file or why!
Carly: Okay, let me show it to Jase and see what he can find out.
Brenda: He’ll want to show it to Sonny. Can you not show him right away?
Carly: That is a problem for me, because Jase and I don’t keep secrets.
Brenda: I need a little time to prepare Sonny and maybe even find out what this means.
Carly: Okay, but you had better let me keep the file anyway, so Sonny doesn’t see it.
Brenda: do you promise not to show it to Jason?
Carly: I hate it, but I promise!
Brenda: Thanks, Carly, you have been a tremendous help this morning.
Carly: Are you throwing me out?
Brenda: I have a big evening planned for Sonny and I need to get ready.
Carly: A celebration?
Brenda: Kind of, it involves strawberries, candles and a black slip dress.
Carly: Sonny wearing a black slip dress? This I have got to see!
Brenda: Good bye Carly!
Carly: Brenda, just one more thing and then I’ll leave.
Brenda: What?
Carly: Please reconsider taking the pregnancy test. It only takes 5 minutes.
Brenda: Don’t say anything to Sonny!
Carly: We aren’t really speaking right now.
Brenda: Don’t say anything to Jason, either.
Carly: It isn’t going to change things you know, if you’re pregnant you‘re pregnant.
Brenda: I’ll call you later, Carly.
Carly: Okay, I can take a hint. I’m going, take care Brenda.

Brenda watches her friend go with hesitation. There was a time in Brenda’s life when she wanted nothing more than to have Sonny’s child. At one point she would have sworn that there was no such thing as a bad time to be pregnant. Now, her and Sonny’s lives were so complicated that she was scared to death that a child would just get lost in the shuffle. She puts all thoughts of children, either hers of Hannah’s out of her mind, and goes to get ready for when Sonny comes home. She is determined to give Sonny a night he won’t soon forget. The rest would have to wait until later.   
 
Chapter 67

Brenda carried several bags into Kelly’s dinner and dropped them on the floor, exhausted. Tammy came out of the kitchen and eyes the pile suspiciously. 

Tammy: Do you need some help?
Brenda: No, I can get Johnny to help if I need it.
Tammy: Are you coming or going.

Brenda looks at the pile of luggage and realizes that it doesn’t really speak for it’s self.

Brenda: Oh, I’m moving out. I guess I should have explained.
Tammy: *Disappointed* You’re leaving Sonny?
Brenda: *Puzzled* No, I meant I’m moving out of my room upstairs.
Tammy: *Relieved* I’m glade to hear it, are you sure you don’t need any help?
Brenda: Actually, I lost my key. Could you loan me the spare?
Tammy: That was the spare.
Brenda: Oh, sorry.
Tammy: Why don’t I just give you the pass key, then you can give it back?
Brenda: Okay, sure I promise not to loose it.
Tammy: I’m going to have to change the lock when you move out anyway, too many lost keys.
Brenda: I guess that is my fault partly. I’ll bet you’ll be happy to have my room free again.
Tammy: Yes it is the nicest room and considering that Hannah’s is still tied up.
Brenda: You haven’t rented Hannah’s room yet?
Tammy: It hasn’t been cleaned out. I guess I could do it myself, then suppose a relative showed up?
Brenda: I just sent a lot of Hannah’s things to storage. Would like to store the rest together?
Tammy: That is a good idea. I wondered why she kept the room after moving to the penthouse?
Brenda: Who knows?

She starts to drag her bags up the stairs.

Tammy: I’ll see you later, Brenda?
Brenda: Sure, I’ll put the key back when I’m done.

Brenda passes Hannah’s door and looks down at the pass key. It would be so easy to pop in and see what Hannah had left behind. She passes the door and goes to her own room. This was going to be the third and hopefully the last time she moved out of Kelly’s. She didn’t have that much to pack this time, a few clothes and the bear that Sonny had given her after their day at Coney Island. She quickly throws the clothes in the bags and grabs the bear. The suitcases were heavy when they were empty are now impossible for her to lift, so she goes down stairs to get Johnny to help. Carly is sitting down stairs waiting for Bobbie.

Carly: Brenda!
Brenda: What are you doing here?
Carly: Waiting to talk to my mom. I’m hopping she will help us to get Hannah’s medical records.
Brenda: Do you think she will?
Carly: Probably not, but she might give me some information we can use. What are you up to?
Brenda: I’m moving my stuff out of my room, but the suitcases are a little heavy.

Carly jumps up off of her stool.

Carly: You shouldn’t be carrying things in your condition!
Brenda: *Rolling her eyes* Do not start that again! I’m not in a condition, Carly!
Carly: There is a good chance that you are pregnant, Brenda!
Brenda: “Might be pregnant” is not a condition, it is all in your head, Carly!
Carly: Why are you so opposed to the idea, Brenda?

Brenda sits down and Carly follows suite.

Brenda: Gee, Carly! Maybe because Sonny just lost a child!
Carly: We know that Hannah was lying about the baby being Sonny’s.
Brenda: He doesn’t know that, though.

A guilty look crosses Carly’s face.

Carly: Suppose that he did know?
Brenda: Carly, what have you done? Please tell me you Didn’t tell Sonny about the file!
Carly: I didn’t tell Sonny.
Brenda: Thanks goodness for small miracles!
Carly: I did show it to Jason though, which you told me I could do.
Brenda: Yes, did you ask him not to show it to Sonny though.
Carly: He didn’t promise not to, which means he is probably showing it Sonny right now!

Either Carly was physic or she knew Jason pretty well, because that is exactly what Jason had finished doing. 

Jason: So what do you think?

Sonny runs his hands through his hair.

Sonny: I guess it makes pretty good sense. I can’t believe that I fell for it is all. 
Jason: Well, it is easy to see something when it is what you really want to see.

Sonny picks up a nearby glass and hurls it at the wall, where it shatters into a thousand pieces. 

Sonny: I can’t believe that she took something that she knew was a weakness and used it against me!
Jason: I suppose she thought she was in love and she wanted to hang onto you.
Sonny: I opened up to her, shared my past and she used it against me!
Jason: I don’t know what to say, except now you know.

Carly gave Brenda a sympathetic look.

Carly: All I can say, is that now Sonny knows.
Brenda: If he accepts it as the truth, that is a good thing.
Carly: Now you and he can move on and concentrate on a family.
Brenda: With this phantom child that I’m supposedly carrying?  
Carly: Okay, Brenda there is some other reason why you are scared to be pregnant, so spill!
Brenda: I have thought that I was pregnant before, twice!
Carly: *Wide eyed* When?
Brenda: *Lowering her voice* The first time was right after Sonny and I were trapped in the cave.
Carly: A cave?
Brenda: I’m surprised you haven’t heard about it. We made love, which probably sounds weird.
Carly: Not really, Jason and I have made love in some pretty strange places. 
Brenda: Sonny and I had been trapped for days, with no air and a dead body!
Carly: Okay.
Brenda: I was going through drug withdraw and he was could hardly breath, we were buried alive!
Carly: Did you at lest take a shower? 
Brenda: Before or after? We were trapped, Carly, there was no shower!
Carly: God! You and Sonny must really love each other!

Brenda couldn’t help but laugh at loud at Carly’s observation of the simple truth.
Brenda: I think you are the first person who has really realized that about the cave. 
Carly: I mean, I thought that I loved Jason, but it pales beside what you and Sonny have. 
Brenda: People thought the cave was about sex, but is wasn’t about sex at all.
Carly: Obviously.
Brenda: It was about two people who loved so deeply that they had to be together.
Carly: Then you thought that you were carrying Sonny’s child?
Brenda: If I had been pregnant at the time, Jax could have been the father.
Carly: I’ve been there and done that!
Brenda: Only, I took the test and it was negative. I was so relieved.  
Carly: What about the second time?
Brenda: I was with Jax. We were so self absorbed, we weren’t ready to be parents.
Carly: What about now?
Brenda: I think I’m ready to be a mother, but I don’t know about Sonny.
Carly: Are you serious? Sonny was born to be a father!
Brenda: I know, but he just lost a child and watched a woman he loved die.
Carly: Sonny never loved Hannah.
Brenda: He will still place her on a pedestal, beside Lily.    
Carly: So let him! They are dead anyway.
Brenda: Which means they can do no wrong!
Carly: The woman who can do no wrong is the one who will place Sonny’s first born in his arms.
Brenda: You think that will be me in a few months?
Carly: I don’t see a line forming behind you, Brenda.
Brenda: I could be wrong again about being pregnant.
Carly: You won’t know until you take a test.
Brenda: Just come help me with my bags!

Carly follows her up to her room. and watches Brenda unlock the door.

Carly: So, are you still planning a romantic evening with Sonny?  
Brenda: I hope so, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m not wearing a black dress, I’m not in mourning!
Carly: Good for you!
Brenda: The night before Sonny left me at the altar, we had a celebration. I’m wearing that dress.
Carly: Woah! Is that a pass key?
Brenda: Yes, I lost my key.

Carly grabs the key from Brenda’s hand and is down the hall in a flash, using it on Hannah’s door. 

Brenda: *Whispering* Carly, what do you think you are doing?
Carly: She has a secret, I’ll bet we find it in here.
Brenda: She had a secret, past tense.

Brenda follows her into the room and quietly closes the door. The first thing that she sees is the trunk from Bensonhurst.

Brenda: My trunk!
Carly: What is that?
Brenda: It is a trunk of things from Sonny’s childhood. I had it sent from Bensonhurst. 
Carly: Was Sonny’s mothers wedding dress in that trunk?
Brenda: Yes, I guess I know how Hannah got the dress now. I’ll have Tammy send it to the house.

Carly starts looking through drawers. She pulls out Brenda’s diamond bracelet.

Carly: This is nice, better than I would expect from the Banana.

Brenda grabs the bracelet.

Brenda: Maybe because it was mine! The question is where the hell did she get my bracelet?
Carly: Where did you last see it?
Brenda: I gave it to Jason after Sonny left me at the altar.
Carly: *Shrugs* Maybe Sonny gave it to her?
Brenda: He wouldn’t, it was only special to the two of us.
Carly: She probably took it, just like she took the trunk.

Carly looks through some more drawers and pulls out a stack of photographs.
Brenda notices what she is looking at and makes a face.

Brenda: Those are all copies of photos taken of me when I was the Face of Deception.
Carly: Only they are of Hannah. Sometimes it seems as if she never really existed.
Brenda: I wish!

Brenda glances over at the pictures Carly is looking at, which include surveillance shots of Sonny and Jason.

Brenda: Why do you think that Hannah has those pictures of Sonny and Jason? 
Carly: I don’t have any idea, they don’t look like they were posed for though. 
Brenda: I know and what about that picture of Hier Kriege?
Carly: Who?
Brenda: This one here.

She shows Carly the picture of Faison.

Carly: Wait a second, I know that guy!
Brenda: He is some kind of business partner of your uncle’s.
Carly: I don’t know about that, but he has a cabin in the woods by Willow Lake.
Brenda: How would you know that?
Carly: Jace and I got lost on the scavenger hunt and that man gave us directions back to the hotel.   
Brenda: Scavenger hunt?
Carly: Oh, that’s right, you were too busy frolicking on a Greek island. 
Brenda: I have met this guy though. The first night I was back in town he showed up at Laura’s.
Carly: Well, I would just as soon not ever meet him again.
Brenda: I know what you mean. I had never met him before, yet he knew my name.
Carly: That is weird.

She stuffs the photos back in a drawer, just as they hear voices in the hall. 

Tammy: Johnny I’m sure that Brenda is in her room.
Johnny: She has to be, I didn’t see her leave.
Tammy: We’ll just knock on her door.
Brenda: *Panicked* Damn! What are we going to do now?
Carly: I don’t suppose that Tammy would believe that you got lost? 
Brenda: Her and Hannah already caught me in here once!
Carly: Okay, this calls for drastic action! Climb out the window!
Brenda: Great idea, unless your best friend is convinced that you are pregnant!

Carly stops in her tracks and gives Brenda a look of admiration. 

Carly: Am I really your best friend?
Brenda: One of them. Who else would I get into a mess like this with?

They both slip out the window, across the fire escape and into Brenda’s room. Brenda opens the door and Tammy is surprised to see Carly in the room. 

Tammy: Carly, I thought that you were waiting downstairs for your mother?
Carly: I was, but Brenda wanted my help.
Brenda: I’m so glad that you are here Johnny. Can you grab those bags?
Johnny: Sure, I’ll take them to the car.

He picks up the bags, leaving the bear for Brenda to carry. 

Brenda: Thanks for everything, Tammy.
Tammy: Aren’t you forgetting something, Brenda?

Brenda looks around the room. 

Brenda: No, I think I have all my belongings. 
Tammy: I meant the pass key.

Carly hands her the key, which puzzles Tammy. 

Carly: Tell my mom that I had to go okay Tammy?
Tammy: Sure, Carly, whatever.

Carly follows Brenda out.

Brenda: You didn’t really think we would get away with that key, did you?
Carly: I was hopping. 
Brenda: It doesn’t matter. Tammy is going to store Hannah’s things with the rest at the penthouse.
Carly: Good thinking, that way we will have unlimited access to search all we want. 
Brenda: That wasn’t my idea, but it works.

They follow Johnny out of Kelly’s. Sometime later, when Sonny came home, he opened the door to the penthouse and found the living room empty. It wasn’t that he expected to find Brenda waiting for him ever time he came home, but he hadn’t expected her to go out. He checks the bathroom and down stairs bedroom, finding them empty. Then his heart is suddenly griped with fear. 

Sonny: *Out loud* Surely she wouldn’t be in there? I have told her so many times to stay out.

He rushes to the kitchen, but finds it empty as well. 

Sonny: Johnny, can you come here?
Johnny: Yes, sir?
Sonny: Did Brenda go out?
Johnny: She did earlier, but she came back. a few hours ago.
Sonny: Is she across the hall?
Johnny: No, but Mrs. Quartermaine was over here this morning.
Sonny: What was Carly doing?
Johnny: I think they were cleaning upstairs. They had me take some boxes to long term storage.
Sonny: What was in the boxes?
Johnny: I didn’t ask, and I didn’t look. They were acting strange though, kind of secretive.
Sonny: If Carly was involved, I’m not surprised.
Johnny: Oh, by the way, congratulations. I think you and Mrs. C will be great parents.

This comment stuns Sonny to the point where he can barely mutter a reply.
Sonny: Thanks Johnny. You’re sure that Brenda isn’t across the hall?
Johnny: Positive, she is probably upstairs.
Sonny: Okay, that is all for now.

Sonny had gone from one emotional stage to another during the day. At the moment, he wasn’t sure how he felt. Even if Hannah had lied to him about the baby, she had still been apart of his life. He was angry and he did what Sonny always did when he was angry, he lashed out at the nearest target. At this moment, that happened to be his loving and devoted wife. He couldn’t believe that Brenda would deliberately go against his wish that she stay out of the upstairs area, but that had to be where she was now. He angrily storms up the stairs and into the bedroom. Nothing could have prepared Sonny for what he saw. Brenda has filled the room with soft candle light until the whole room seems to glow with amber light. Brenda is sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed to kill in a the red, silk, slip dress he bought for her the night before their failed wedding attempt. A bowl of strawberries sits on a nearby table. The over all image is ravishing. It completely blows Sonny away and steals his breath at the same time. Sonny can hardly manage to take his eyes off her, he is so taken aback by her beauty. At times, she seems too wonderful to be real, this was one of those moments. All his angry vanishes for an all to brief moment. 


Brenda: I was wondering when you would get home. How was your day?
Sonny: *Slightly out of breath* It was good, for the most part.
Brenda: As you can see, I’ve been keeping myself busy. You want to come here?

She indicates the bed, beside her. Sonny sits down and allows her to knead a days worth of tension form his shoulders. Her touch is like magic, it sooths him and rejuvenates him at the same time. But, then he notices that she has changed things, moved Hannah’s belongings and replaced them with her own. For some unexplainable reason, he feels the anger build in him once again. He lashes out at the one thing that is most precious to him, Brenda. 

Sonny: Are those your things on the dresser?
Brenda: Uhuh.
Sonny: *Anxious* What happened to Hannah’s things?
Brenda: I had Johnny put them in storage. Do you want a strawberry?
Sonny: *Angry* No, I want to know what exactly you think you are doing?
Brenda: I’m welcoming my husband home.
Sonny: No, you’re trying to make me forget that Hannah ever existed!
Brenda: Sonny, that is ridicules! 
Sonny: Then why did you replace all of her things with your own?
Brenda: Sonny, I told you that I was tried of sharing our home with a ghost!
Sonny: So, this is your answer? Just wipe away her memory?
Brenda: I asked you this morning if I could make some changes and you agreed!
Sonny: I did no such thing! Why would I agree to this Brenda? Think about it?
Brenda: Okay, you know what? I can’t take this any more!
Sonny: What?
Brenda: If you want to be miserable, you can do it without me!
Sonny: Fine, whatever!
Brenda: And if you want to sleep downstairs, in the maids room, you can do that alone as well!
Sonny: So, you’re finally leaving? I knew you wouldn’t last very long.
Brenda: Right, because I’m tired of watching what I say and where I go.
Sonny: Go then!
Brenda: I planned a special night to celebrate the start of the rest of our lives, but that is ruined now!
 
She storms out of the room, leaving him to bask in his own guilt and anger. He hits the top of the dresser in frustration, sending her things flying in all directions. The stuffed bare is one of the objects that falls to the floor. He picks it up and remembers the day they spent at Coney Island. At first Brenda had been so angry at him for having her passport revoked. She accused him of trying to control where she went. Of course he had denied it, and of course it was true. He couldn’t stand the thought of livng without her then and he still couldn’t live without her. He realizes that he has been acting like a stupid jerk, taking out his angry on Brenda. He follows her out of the room.

Sonny: Brenda, wait!

He calls into thin air, because she has already left the penthouse. The minute she reaches the hall she bursts into sobbing, hysterical, tears, which does not go unnoticed by Johnny. 

Johnny: Are you all right Mrs. Corinthos?
Brenda: I’m fine, can you go watch over Sonny?
Johnny: What are you going to do, you aren’t going out?
Brenda: No, I’ll go across the hall.

Inside, Sonny sits down on the couch in despair, running his hands through his hair, he wonders how much more he can mess up his life and still be given a second, third or was it a fourth chance? 
He looks up as Johnny walks into the room.

Sonny: How is she?
Johnny: She is crying, a lot.
Sonny: Where did she go?
Johnny: She told me she was going across the hall.

Actually, Brenda didn’t go across the hall, she sat down on a chair in the hall and continued to cry. She didn’t look up until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, then she lifted her head to see Mike standing beside her.

Brenda: *Through tears* Hi, Mike.
Mike: Hi sweetie. I would ask what was the matter, but it is pretty well written on your face.
Brenda: *Wiping away tears* I’m fine.
Mike: I know better, you have that look of devastation in your eyes that only my son can cause.
Brenda: He really doesn't mean to hurt me, Mike.
Mike: Of course he doesn’t, that is what makes it so terrible. 
Brenda: I know.
Mike: So, I guess I’ll have to go have a word with him.
Brenda: Mike, now probably isn’t the best time for a visit.
Mike: It never is with my son. Do you want to wait here or come with me?
Brenda: I’ll go to Jason and Carly’s.
Mike: That is probably a good idea, things might get ugly in penthouse 4.
Brenda: Sonny really is hurting, Mike.
Mike: What are you saying?
Brenda: I’m asking you to go easy on him, I guess.
Mike: You still go to bat for him, even after the way he treats you, Brenda?
Brenda: What can I say? I love him, with all my heart.
Mike: I guess that pretty much says it all.

Mike kisses her on the forehead  then takes a deep breath, before entering the penthouse. 
He sends Johnny out into the hall.

Johnny: Can I get you anything, Mrs. Corinthos?
Brenda: No, Johnny, I’m fine. I think I’ll go for a walk and try and clear my head.
Johnny: I’ll just go get your jacket.
Brenda: That is okay.
Johnny: Mr. Corinthos wouldn’t want you going out in the cold without a jacket.
Brenda: That is because he over reacts and over protects!
Johnny: Actually, I think it is because it is cold outside.
Brenda: I’ll be fine.
Johnny: Will you at least let me barrow a jacket from Mrs Quartermaine?
Brenda: I don’t think Carly has anything that would fit you, Johnny.
Johnny: I meant for you. She has this really nice fur coat that would fit you perfectly.
Brenda: Sorry, I would rather freeze than wear a dead animal skin.
Johnny: Then you will love this coat, because it is a fake fur.
Brenda: Carly doesn’t seem like the type of woman that would wear fake fur.
Johnny: She didn’t know it was fake until she took it to be cleaned one day. 
Brenda: I bet that upset her.
Johnny: She hit the roof! She only kept the coat after that because Mr. Morgan gave it to her.
Brenda: I had a coat like that once, I wonder what happened to the one Sonny gave me?
Johnny: I could check storage if you would like?
Brenda: It probably never even made it to the penthouse.
Johnny: In that case, I’m going to go borrow something from next door.

Brenda watches Johnny go next door. Then looks back at the door to Sonny’s penthouse, wondering how he and Mike were getting along. Mike is sitting on the couch when Sonny walks out of the kitchen.
    
Sonny: I don’t need this right now!
Mike: What you need is a swift kick in the seat of the pants, but I’m a nonviolent man.
Sonny: No, you prefer to prod me to death with words!
Mike: Someone has to make you aware of how badly you are treating Brenda.

Sonny runs his hands through his hair.

Sonny: Don’t you think I know what I’m doing to her? I can feel her heart breaking.
Mike: Then stop, just don’t hurt her anymore.
Sonny: It isn’t that easy. She does things that she thinks are helping, but they’re not helping.
Mike: What did she do that is supposedly so terrible?
Sonny: She got rid of all of Hannah’s things, she claims I gave her permission.
Mike: You think she is lying?
Sonny: I don’t know. I don’t remember telling her she could do it, so I yelled at her!
Mike: Did it occur to you that maybe Brenda is tired of living with a ghost?
Sonny: She said the same thing, but I needed Hannah’s things to be left alone.   
Mike: Did those things give you comfort.
Sonny: It was a comfort to know that Hannah was not gone completely from my life. 
Mike: Michael, She is gone, you need to find your comfort in a real source, living breathing source.
Sonny: I suppose you mean Brenda?
Mike: Yeah, that is exactly what I mean. You can keep living in here if you would like.

He points to Sonny’s head.

Mike: Or join us in the outside world. If that is what you choose, then you need to make some changes
Sonny: I suppose you are going to tell me what those changes are?
Mike: I don’t need to, you know what Brenda needs better than I ever could.
Sonny: Mike do you think you could give me a hand upstairs?
Mike: Sure, but don’t you think you should check on Brenda?
Sonny: She is fine if she is across the hall.

Mike follows his son upstairs, hoping that he is right and Brenda really is fine. Sonny’s intentions were stellar, but he was wrong on both accounts. Brenda was not across the hall and she wasn’t okay. She sat down on a bench and tried to block the wind from whipping across her body. She almost wished that she had waited for Johnny to get her a coat, but then he would have just followed her. She needed to think and make some decisions. She couldn’t stand by and watch Sonny destroy himself, she would have to leave. The sooner the better in her mind because she knew that her courage wouldn’t last too long. She would go to Lois and Ned, borrow some money and take a plane to California. Maybe even Malibu, after all she loved the ocean and she had always been happy in Malibu. Sonny and Mike finished up with Sonny’s project at the penthouse and Sonny sent Mike home, then went to ask Johnny about Brenda.   

Sonny: Johnny, is my wife across the hall?
Johnny: No sir, she left about a half an hour ago.
Sonny: Where did she go?
Johnny: All I know is that she said she wanted to take a walk.
Sonny: Did she even take a coat?
Johnny: No sir and don’t think I didn’t try to give her one! She is stubborn!

Sonny smiles despite the worry he is feeling. Brenda was hard headed, but he loved that about her. To put it mildly, he loved everything about her and he couldn’t imagine his life without her ever again.

Sonny: Yes she is stubborn. Who is following her?
Johnny: Rick and Francis. Shall I phone them and find out where she has gone.
Sonny: You don’t need to, I know where she would go.

Sonny grabs his coat and leaves.

Sonny: *Calling back* Stay here in case she comes home.

He heads for the only place in the whole stinking town that meant a damn to either one of them. Brenda stands up and takes one last look around the docks, the place where her life with Sonny began. She starts to walk off when he comes flying down the stairs stopping in front of her. He has what can only be described as a triumphant grin plastered across his face.

Sonny: I’m so glad I caught you, sweetheart.
Brenda: It’s over, Sonny. The story has come to an end. I guess this is a fitting place, though.
 
She turns to leave, but he stops her with a gentle hand on her arm.

Sonny: Nothing is ending.
Brenda: *Yanking her arm away* Do not touch me! In fact leave me alone!
Sonny: Not a chance! It is freezing out here!
Brenda: I hadn’t noticed.
Sonny: Well it is and there is no way I’m going to let you stay out here unprotected from the elements.
Brenda: I don’t need your help. That is why I’m just going to leave.
Sonny: *Swallows hard* Where would you go?
Brenda: I don’t know, California maybe. I have always liked Malibu.

Sonny tries to control his anger.

Sonny: I can’t let you do that.
Brenda: You don’t get to make the decision, it is my life!
Sonny: You’re my wife though! 

She sits on the bench, crossing her arms in an unsuccessful  attempt to ward off the cold. He sits down beside her and looks straight ahead. Neither of them says a word, but they keep stealing glances at each other. Finally Brenda gives him a perturbed look, but he just shrugs.  
  


Sonny: Okay, fill me in. What’s wrong?
Brenda: You mean besides the obvious?
Sonny: Which is? Because sometimes I loose track with you.
Brenda: I’m cold.

A smile crosses Sonny’s face as he wraps his arms around her.

Sonny: Is that better?
Brenda: I asked you not to touch me.
Sonny: I won’t let you freeze, Brenda.
Brenda: I don’t think I’ll freeze.
Sonny: No, because I’m not letting go of you.
Brenda: I asked you not to do that.
Sonny: I can’t touch you at all?
Brenda: No, not like this at least.
Sonny: What do you want from me?
Brenda: I want you to convince me that we are worth holding on to, then you can hold me!

She pulls out of his arms. A million things race through his mind, each one a better reason why they should be together.

Brenda: See, you can’t think of a single reason!
Sonny: There are so many reasons I can’t even think straight. Where should I start? 

He places his jacket on her shoulders, expecting her to rebuff his chivalrous act, but she doesn’t brush the coat aside. Instead she pulls it tightly around her, deeply breathing in his scent which is mingled with the fibers of the garment. 

Sonny: What do you want me to say, that my skin burns from your touch? You know that already.
Brenda: Sonny, don‘t.
Sonny: Sush, baby I’m on a roll. I have never or never will love a woman the way I love you, Brenda.

He kisses her forehead.

Sonny: I need you in my life. I can’t imagine life without you or your love.
Brenda: A lot of good that love does when you are ripping my heart out.
Sonny: I don’t mean to hurt you. I am so sorry.
Brenda: I know, that makes it worse.
Sonny: Right now I would do anything to have you forgive me. I need you so much. 
Brenda: What about what I need?
Sonny: We need the same thing, because we complete each other.

He leans into her , whispering the words into her hair, and she knows it is true. When they are apart, they both feel as if something important is missing. 

Sonny: You are my heart, you are my soul and you the life blood. that runs through my veins.  

Sonny gently pulls her to him and kisses her lightly on the lips, which she doesn’t object.

Sonny: I love you Brenda, since the day that I first laid eyes on you I have loved you, I always will!

Her eyes light up with a look that Sonny has always loved more than life its self. Brenda smiles, closes her eyes and moved deeper into the kiss. 

Sonny: *Between kisses* I’m so sorry, I hate it when we fight. I hate hurting you.
Brenda: How did you find me?
Sonny: It isn’t hard to find someone when your hearts are connected.
Brenda: *Continuing their kisses* In other words you guessed?
Sonny: It was a well educated guess, but we are connected right here.

He places his hand over her heart.

Brenda: If that is true, why did everything short circuit less than an hour ago?
Sonny: I guess that is because we are both so passionate.
Brenda: I’m not lying, you told me I could pack up Hannah’s belongings.
Sonny: I believe you, I just don’t remember, sweetheart.
Brenda: I should have been more sensitive to your feelings.
Sonny: No, don’t apologize. I should have listened better to what you need.
Brenda: If you had been listening, what would you have said?
Sonny: This morning, I probably would have asked for more time. 
Brenda: I understand.

He can see the hurt in her eyes.

Sonny: That was this morning though ,and things have changed.
Brenda: What things have changed?
Sonny: I have come to realize that having Hannah’s things around won’t give me comfort.
Brenda: If you are not ready to let go, I can understand.
Sonny: What am I supposed to hang onto, Brenda? I didn’t love her, I never could.  
Brenda: You would have loved the baby though.
Sonny: I didn’t even get the chance to know the baby or get used to the idea of a baby.
Brenda: Sonny, did you know Hannah was pregnant before we got married?
Sonny: No, I found out the day of the masquerade. The paternity test was faked.

Brenda felt her heart soar.

Brenda: How did you know what I was asking?
Sonny: Because I know you.
Brenda: I’m glad that Jason went ahead and showed you the file.
Sonny: Me too, but I have to admit that I was angry at Hannah when I came home tonight.
Brenda: You had just found out the ugly truth and here I was trying to take you mind of things.
Sonny: I was wrong to take it out on you, baby.
Brenda: I shouldn’t have made the changes and not told you, I‘m so sorry.
Sonny: Don’t ever apologize for doing what you feel is right.

He kisses her on the forehead.

Brenda: Sonny?
Sonny: Yes sweetheart?
Brenda: It is freezing out here.
Sonny: I noticed.
Brenda: Baby, lets go home.
Sonny: I thought you would never say those words.

She reaches out her hand to him and they walk up the stairs together. By the time they reach the penthouse, they have warmed each other up completely. Sonny opens the door and ushers her into the living room. She is pleasantly surprised to find a fire in the fire place, but she is even more surprised to see that Sonny has brought the satin bedding down from upstairs, along with the candles and bowl of strawberries. He has transferred her romantic setting from the master bedroom to the living room.  

Brenda: What is all of this?
Sonny: *Letting out a breath of air* I’m not ready to sleep upstairs, but you should be comfortable.
Brenda: You brought the upstairs down stairs?
Sonny: *Smiling* Yeah, I don’t want you to feel like we have to sleep in the maids room forever.
Brenda: *Giving him s sultry look* How should I feel?

He takes her hand and leads her to the fire. He gently lowers her to the floor.

Sonny: I want you to feel as if you are my queen and the most precious person in my life.
Brenda: I know.
Sonny: You mean everything to me, Brenda. So, do you like it?
Brenda: I love it!
Sonny: Okay, then can you wait here for a second?
Brenda: Where are you going?
Sonny: Not far, I’ll never go too far away again.

He walks to the door and opens it just enough to talk to Johnny.

Sonny: Johnny, Mrs. Corinthos and myself are in for the evening.

Sonny looks back at Brenda, and sees that she has the stain sheet loosely draped around her. The red dress that she was wearing is on the floor nearby. Sonny finds that he can hardly breath, much less speak.

Sonny: We do not wish to be disturbed for any reason, do you understand?
Johnny: Sure thing boss.

Sonny closes the door and walks back to Brenda, taking off his jacket as he goes. He pauses at the desk long enough to unplug the phone, before joining his wife by the fire. He leans over her, kissing first her forehead, then her nose and finally bringing his mouth to rest over hers. They both relish the warmth of the kiss, even warmer than the fire. He kneels in front of her as she reaches up and unbuttons Sonny’s shirt, sliding it off of his shoulders with one smooth move.

Brenda: I have been waiting all day to take off that shirt. 

She leans against him until their bodies are touching and she wraps his arms around her waist. She reaches for a strawberry, at the same moment that he is reaching into the bowl, their hands touch, sending warm sensations through both of their bodies. He turns so she can see his smile, then feeds her a strawberry, they continue to feed each other until the bowl is empty. He allows her swallow the last bite, before kissing her lovely mouth once more with all he has in him. They both become completely lost the sensations the kiss is creating. Sever minutes later Sonny pulls back to look at his bride, she is so beautiful and her eyes are filled with love. He wants to be with her so badly that he isn’t sure that he can hold out much longer. He quickly glances at the door and then up the stairs. He told Johnny not to disturb them, but he won’t run the risk. He turns to Brenda and gives her an intense look.

Sonny: Baby, lets go up stairs.
Brenda: Smiling, but puzzled* Are you sure?

Sonny answers her with serious passion and determination in his voice.

Sonny: I’m positive.

Brenda throws her arms around his neck, giving him a blissful smile. She starts to stand up, but he stops her. Instead, he stands and picks her up in his arms, along with the bedding, carrying the whole package up the stairs. He kisses her lips and her neck as he walks to the bedroom, then he gently places her on the bed. He reaches out and softly traces the features of her face with one hand, which she holds against her face. He places his other hand on her opposite cheek until his hands frame her face. He moves in for a deep satisfying kiss that transports them both to a higher level of pleasure. Every time he kisses her like this he awakens old feelings in her and stirs new ones as well. Sonny wraps his arms around her back and presses her body into the bed. He kisses her passionately, she returns his kiss with eagerness. He kisses her face, works his way down her neck and then to her shoulders. Sonny sits part way up and kisses her body, causing her to gasp for breath and then moan from the sensations he is causing. She runs her hands down his chest and helps him as he works his pants off and they slide to the floor. Brenda slowly pulls him down on top of her, kissing him passionately and they begin to make love. When they are finished the bed is tossed, with covers everywhere. Sonny holds Brenda in his arms and gently kisses her forehead.

Sonny: Are you okay?
Brenda: I’m fantastic.
Sonny: Sweetheart, can I ask you a question.
Brenda: You sound more serious that you should be right now.
Sonny: It is probably the second most important question I have ever asked you, honey.
Brenda: The second most serious.
Sonny: Right after asking you to spend your life with me.

She turns in his arms so she can see his face.

Brenda: Go ahead.
Sonny: Are you really carrying my child?
Brenda: Have you been talking to Carly?
Sonny: *Dead pan* Carly and I do not talk. Johnny congratulated me on my impeding fatherhood.
Brenda: That little sneak! He told us that he didn’t hear anything today! Will you fire him?
Sonny: No.
Brenda: Not even if I beg?
Sonny: No, because he is the only way I know what’s going on.
Brenda: That is so like a man, stick together!
Sonny: Is it true, are we going to be parents?
Brenda: It is a strong possibility, but I haven’t taken a test.
Sonny: Do you mind me asking why you believe it to be true.
Brenda: I have been feeling different lately and I’ve fainted a time or two. 
Sonny: When?
Brenda: The first day I moved in and then again today. You must think I’m silly?
Sonny: Never! Why didn’t you tell me about fainting?
Brenda: Because I was afraid you would over react.
Sonny: I think the first thing we need to do is have a test taken.
Brenda: Carly keeps trying to get me to take the pink stick kind.
Sonny: You have to be joking!
Brenda: I think she has stock in the company.
Sonny: We’ll go to see the doctor first thing in the morning, sweetheart.
Brenda: Okay, but how are you going to react if I am pregnant?
Sonny: Well, first of all, I’ll probably become over protective and insist you eat healthy.
Brenda: As long as you are cooking, I’m game.
Sonny: Of course, you won’t be allowed near a car for 9 months.
Brenda: What?
Sonny: Come to think of it, you better just stay in the house for the next 9 months.
Brenda: The house?
Sonny: Of course, we’ll have to move to the house in the country.
Brenda: *Gives him a sly look* Are you toying with me?
Sonny: *Flashing his dimples* I don’t play games, remember?
Brenda: I kind of remember you playing some games, sometimes.
Sonny: Not this time. The penthouse isn’t the best place to raise a child, those stairs are vicious!
Brenda: Not to mention the balconies with 10 story drops.
Sonny: And the bullet proof glass and Carly living across the hall!
Brenda: We would have a built in babysitter, though.
Sonny: Carly is not getting near any child of mine!
Brenda: I meant Leticia. Any place is fine, though, as long as we are a family.  
Sonny: The house is better, there is a yard and fresh water, and cows and everything.
Brenda: Those stampeding cows had better stay away from my baby!
Sonny: Don’t worry, I’ll corral the cows.

He kisses her on the forehead.

Brenda: I think a baby would be really good for us.
Sonny: *Smiling* Exactly.

He places his head on her stomach. 

Sonny: I know that you’re pregnant, sweetheart.
Brenda: How can you be sure?
Sonny: I can feel the life growing in you.
Brenda: The life we created with our love.
Sonny: Yes and it’s a beautiful thing.

He kisses her gently on the lips and then wraps his arms around her, pulling her to him until the space between them is closed. She didn’t doubt that he knew what he was talking about. So much in their lives was still uncertain. They still didn’t know who Hannah really was or what secrets she was hiding at the time of her death. They didn’t know where Brenda had been for a year or what it had to do with a South American cult. Luke and Laura’s son was still missing and Hannah’s killer was still loose. However, none of that mattered at the moment. They knew that whatever obstacles awaited around the next corner, they would overcome them together. Their love and commitment would carry them through what ever rough waters the future held.

The End

Return to Home Page