Chapter 16
Brenda held him as he cried. She ran her fingers through his curls. To her she could see the small boy who was scared and had no one to love. It always broke her heart to see him like that.
B- Sonny, why don’t you try to get some sleep? You look exhausted.
S- I have a hard time sleeping. It’s the nightmares Bren.
B- (runs her hand over his cheek) How about you let me hold you tonight. You could really use the rest.
S- Bren, I can’t ask you to do that.
B- C’mon, Sonny. I would ask if I didn’t want to. It’s the least I could do. Besides, I could use a goodnights sleep myself and I always sleep better in your arms.
They went back to Brenda’s room and laid down together. Brenda put her arms around him and he closed his eyes and inhaled her sweet scent. As he drifted off to sleep he murmured “I love you Brenda” and then he slept.
Brenda was surprised to hear him say that. She knew how she felt about him but she wasn’t sure he felt the same. Brenda watches him while he sleeps. She watches the sweet, little, boy in him and prays that if for just this night he could have sweet dreams. She too closes her eyes and soon falls asleep.
Brenda wakes up the next morning and Sonny is no longer in bed with her. She sits up and notices a note on her night table.
Brenda,
I didn’t want to wake you so I went to start breakfast. Thanks for last night. I’m really glad we got to talk.
Sonny
Brenda smiles and goes downstairs. She hears laughter coming from the kitchen. Stone smiles when he sees her, he gets up and runs to give her a hug.
MS- Morning mommy
B- Good morning sweetheart.
MS- Daddy and Aunt Lois told me about the carnival in Benson....Benson..
S- Bensonhurst.
MS- Yeah. Bensonhurt (Sonny and Lois laugh while Brenda smiles at Stone’s mispronunciation of Bensonhurst) and the Tilt-a-Whirl. Do you think our carnival will have a Tilt-a-Whirl?
B- I don’t know Stone. We’ll just have to wait and see.
S- Bren, you want some coffee?
B- Sure, thanks. So Brooke you excited about the carnival too?
BR- Yup. I like the Merry-go-round.
L- Yeah, she usually goes on it ten times. I don’t see how she doesn’t get dizzy.
S- Kids are like that Lois. Remember when we used to go on the bumper cars?
L- You and Louie would always bang into me.
S- (laughs) That’s what made them so much fun.
L- Well remember what they say about paybacks.
Brenda laughs.
L- Just wait, I’ll get even with you later.
S- Is that a threat?
L- I don’t make threats, it was a promise Corinthos.
B- Okay, KIDS, let’s all go get ready.
Later that day.
Sonny is carrying Stone on his shoulders, while Brenda holds the video camera. Lois is pushing Brooklynne in the stroller.
The kids have gone on every ride more than once. Now Stone dragged Sonny on the Merry-go-Round again. Brenda is video taping them when she is tapped on her shoulder. Brenda is shocked to see Ricardo Boccelli. They immediately embrace.
CHAPTER 17
The ride has ended and Sonny helps Stone off. Sonny looks up and sees Brenda hugging a man he’s never seen before. Stone pulls Sonny’s hand and pulls him over to where Brenda is.
R- (Italian accent) You look beautiful, as usual, Brenda.
B- Thanks Rick. What are you doing here?
R- What is it a crime for me to check up on the most beautiful girl in the world.
B- Hey, just because I was in the video doesn’t mean that I’m the most beautiful. I’m just surprised because you’ve never come to visit me here before.
R- You’ll always be the most beautiful to me. And I’m here because I was worried about you. You seemed upset and you left so quickly.
B- Well, I’m okay now.
Stone runs over to Rick. Sonny walks with Lois over to Brenda.
R- Hello Michael. How are you today?
MS- I was on the Merry-go-Round.
R- Have you been on the Ferris wheel yet?
MS- Nope not yet. I wanna go on that next.
B- Rick, this is Michael’s father, Sonny Corinthos. Sonny this is Rick Boccelli.
R- It’s nice to finally meet you Sonny.
Sonny stares unevenly at Rick.
S- Yeah.
B- And this is my bestfriend Lois and her daughter Brookelynn.
R- It’s a pleasure to meet you Lois. I’ve heard so much about you. Hello Brookelynn, did anyone ever tell you that you are a very beautiful young lady.
Br- My daddy tells me that all the time.
R- Well he’s right.
MS- Mommy, can we go on the Ferris wheel now?
B- Sure let’s go.
They all walk to where the Ferris wheel is located. Brenda and Rick with Stone and Brooke lead the way while Sonny and Lois walk together.
S- Did she ever mention this guy Boccelli to you?
L- No, I was just about to ask you the same thing.
S- Well, he looks suspicious to me.
L- Who are you kidding, every man Brenda has ever spoken to, looks suspicious to you.
S- There is just something about him I don’t like.
L- Bren’s a big girl, she knows what she is doing.
S- Yeah.
Sonny rides with Stone, Lois rides with Brooke and Brenda rides with Rick.
B- How’s everything back in Italy?
R- Business as usual.
B- You’re going to be staying at the house and I don’t want to hear another word about it.
R- Well, are you sure, because normally I wouldn’t have a problem with it, but you already have a full house and I have a feeling that Sonny doesn’t like me very much.
B- I’m sure and I’m also sure that there isn’t going to me any trouble with Sonny. He’s just jealous. He’s always been jealous of every man I’ve ever spoken to that wasn’t him. (she laughs)
R- Oh boy, this is going to be a long two days.
CHAPTER 18
Early the next morning Lois walks into the kitchen and Brenda is sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee. Lois pours herself a cup and sits down across from Brenda.
L- Morning Bren.
B- Morning Lo.
L- Looks like you have a lot on your mind.
B- Just the usual, Sonny. I’m just sad, I guess, that you guys are leaving tomorrow.
L- Well, why don’t you and Stone come back to PC with us. You’re more than welcome to stay at the Gatehouse.
B- I can’t. Not yet anyway. I’m still afraid there may be people after me. That’s why Rick is here.
L- You and Rick, are you?
B- (looks confused, then she understands) Oh, no. I’m not with Rick. Rick is Julia’s husband, my brother-in-law. He has connections in FBI, CIA, WSB, etc. He keeps me up to date on the people that were after my mother.
L- Oh, because I thought.. well never-mind what I thought, Sonny thought that you and Rick were together.
B- So?
L- I just think that it seemed like Rick knew Stone more than he did and it just got to him that’s all. You know how he is.
B- Yeah, all too well. It’s my fault, I should have told you both that last night. I’m sorry.
L- It wasn’t a problem with me, it’s just that I worry about Sonny.
B- Yeah, I know, so do I. He doesn’t seem like himself. I wish there was something that I could do for him. I just feel like part of this is my fault because if I would have found out about Stone before his whole thing with my mom started maybe we would be together and he never would have been through all that pain from Carly.
L- Brenda. You can’t go blaming yourself for everything that goes wrong in the world. It’s not your fault things turned out the way they did. Now, I don’t want to hear you blaming yourself anymore, you hear me?
B- Yes, ma’am.
Sonny walks into the kitchen and Brenda and Lois look up at him. He realizes that they must have been talking about him. He gets a cup of coffee and sits down next to Brenda. Brenda smiles at him. Rick walks in and sits down next to Lois. Sonny shoots a jealous look toward Rick and Brenda and Lois both notice this and look at each other. Lois nods toward Brenda and Brenda smiles back at her. Before Brenda can say anything the phone rings. Brenda gets up and answers her cordless phone.
B- Hello??
Chapter 19
B- Hello?
V- Hi, Brenda, how are you doing?
B- Julia, I’m good.
J- That’s good, how’s Michael?
B- Michael’s fine, we went to the carnival yesterday and he had a great time. I’m sure he’ll want to tell you all about it.
J- Yeah, I bet you’re right. Is Rick there?
B- Oh, sure, hold on a sec.
Rick, Julia for you. (she hands him the phone and he walks into the other room.
S- Why would your sister want to talk to Rick?
B- I forgot to tell you last night, Rick is Julia’s husband. They got married over two years ago. He’s my brother-in-law.
S- Oh, then why is he here with you?
B- He’s checking up on me. (she smiles) He has connection with the FBI, CIA and WSB. He came her to tell give me some information.
L- Well, what did he tell you?
B- He said that the people who were after my mother are no longer going to looking for me and Stone.
L- That’s great, right? Does that mean you can come back with us?
B- No, not yet. Rick told me to wait a few weeks until he’s completely sure that we are definitely out of danger.
L- Oh, okay. Well a few weeks isn’t too much longer.
B- Yeah (unenthusiastically). I’m going to go check on Stone, he should be up by now. (She leaves the room)
S- Something’s wrong? Do have any idea of what it could be?
L- I think it’s just gonna take her some time to believe that her and Stone are “free”, so to speak. I mean she’s been running for years. It had to be hard for her because not only did she have herself to think about but she had Stone and her mother.
S- Yeah, you’re right. Well, I’m going to be there for her however I can.
L- That’s all we can do for her right now.
Brenda comes to the top of the stairs and calls Lois. Lois goes upstairs and finds Brenda in Stone’s room.
L- What’s the matter?
B- I think Stone is sick. Stone, mommy’s gonna go get the thermometer and then I can take you temperature.
MS- Ok mommy.
Brenda runs to the bathroom and grabs the thermometer. She tells him to put it under his tongue.
B- Lois, could you go and get him some juice?
L- Sure.
Lois goes down into the kitchen, Sonny follows her.
S- What’s up?
L- Brenda thinks Stone is getting sick. She’s taking his temperature now.
S- Oh no, is she gonna take him to the hospital?
Before Lois can answer him he runs up to Stone’s room. He gets to the door and watches as Brenda takes care of their son. Lois comes up behind him with the juice. She then leaves to check on Brooke. Sonny goes in and sits on the edge of the bed. Brenda takes the thermometer out of his mouth and looks at the temperature.
B- Sonny, he has a 102 fever. (She gives Stone the cup of juice) Will you sit here with him while I go call his doctor.
S- Yeah, yeah. (Brenda runs her fingers through Stone’s hair and kisses his hot cheek) Don’t worry Bren, I’ll look after him.
B- Ok, Stone I’m gonna go call your doctor daddy’s gonna stay her with you.
Brenda goes downstairs and see Rick sitting on the sofa with his luggage next to him. She picks up the phone and looks at very confusedly. She immediately imagines it about her and Stone.
B- What’s wrong?
Chapter 20
Brenda goes downstairs and see Rick sitting on the sofa with his luggage next to him. She picks up the phone and looks at very confusedly. She immediately imagines it about her and Stone.
B- What’s wrong?
R- I have to go back to Italy. There was a business crisis that needs my immediate attention.
B- Oh, I’m sorry you couldn’t have stayed longer.
R- That’s okay. I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything from my informants.
B- Great, thank you. (she hugs him and he leaves)
She calls the doctor and then goes back up to Stone’s room. She sees Sonny sitting with Stone, reading him a book. Sonny looks up when he hears her come in.
S- What did the doctor say?
B- He said that I should give him some Children’s Tylenol and if his fever doesn’t go down in a few hours to bring him right in.
S- Are you sure we shouldn’t just take him over to the hospital?
B- They wouldn’t be able to do anything for him there that we couldn’t do here. It’s just a cold. He’ll be feeling fine again in a few days.
S- I don’t know how you do it?
B- Do what?
S- Handle everything so calmly.
B- Practice I guess.
Just then Lois and Brooke walk into Stone’s room.
B- Oh, I’m sorry Lo, I can’t go shopping with you and Brooke today, I really wanna stay here with Stone.
L- It’s okay, Bren, I understand. I was just letting you know that we’re leaving now. Sonny you wanna come?
S- Nah, maybe next time.
L- Okay, see you guys later. Stone I hope you feel better soon. I’m sure he’s fine Bren, just the flu or something.
B- Yeah, the doctor said that’s going around. Bye Lo, bye Brooke.
S- Bren, is there anything I can do?
B- Not really, he just needs to rest and have lots of fluids. He’ll sleep for awhile, there’s nothing we can really do but that. I actually have some laundry to do, but you can help yourself to anything you’d like.
S- Okay, thanks.
Brenda leaves and Sonny follows her downstairs. Brenda goes down to the laundry room and Sonny walks over to the stereo and turns it on. He finds a station he likes and turns it up a little.
I think I must be dreaming
That you are here with me
Must have died and gone to heaven
And it's all that I hoped it would be
Chorus 1:
When the eagles forget how to fly
And it's twenty below in July
And when violets turn red
And roses turn blue
I'll be still in love with you
Brenda comes up holding a basket of clean laundry. She hears the music and walks into the living room. She sees Sonny smile as he’s listening to the song. He stands up when he sees her.
S- Brenda would you care to dance?
She looks at him and he’s staring at her with such love in his eyes she knows she can’t refuse him of this request.
B- Sure.
Sonny reaches out and takes her hand, pulling her closer toward him. His other arm wraps around her as he places his hand on the small of her back.
I live to be around you
You take my breath away
Can't help but talk about you
Every night and day
Chorus 2:
And when eagles forget how to fly
When it's twenty below in July
And when violets turn red
And roses turn blue
I'll be still in love with you
Brenda moves closer to Sonny and rests her head on his shoulder. She feels the familiar comfort and relaxation of being in his arms again. She puts her other arms over his shoulder and lets her fingers run in the ends of his hair.
All I need is you
Need you just to hold me, console me
Over and over,.......I Love You
Chorus 1:
When the eagles forget how to fly
And it's twenty below in July
And when violets turn red
And roses turn blue
I'll be still in love with you
Still in love with you
Still In Love - Brian McKnight 1995 Polygram Records
As the song ends they slowly pull apart. Sonny looks deeply into Brenda’s eyes. He can see the desire there which he knows is also apparent in his. His hands gently caress her cheeks as his mouth slowly starts to descend upon hers. Their mouths meet in a flurry of passion. Sonny hands move down Brenda’s back as her hands come to cup the back of his head. Their kissing was becoming more and more intense when they heard a noise. They quickly pulled apart to listen for it again.
MS- Mommy! Mommy!
Brenda and Sonny quickly run up the stairs and into Stone’s room.