Ned, the CEO of ELQ Industries, and Alexis, the corporate council for ELQ, had met on Christmas Eve 1996 at the Port Charles Grill bar. They had been instantly attracted to each other, but didn�t know how to deal with it, especially since they were members and the �gatekeepers� of rival families. Alexis was the illegitimate daughter of the Cassadine family patriarch, Mikkos. She hadn�t learned this until she was 35 years old, and had lived her whole life as the cousin of Stefan Cassadine, the head of the family. Stefan and her had been best friends their whole lives until their life in Port Charles arose some problems between them. Stefan didn�t like Ned and Alexis didn�t like his now wife, Katherine, who ironically was Ned�s ex-wife. They had parted ways when he tried to stop her wedding. Now Stefan was living in Greece with Katherine and their three year old daughter, Christabel Jade. When they left, they kept their island on the outskirts of Port Charles, Wyndemere, for when they came back to visit. Stefan�s son, who had grown up as his nephew, Nikolas, was in Connecticut attending Yale with his girlfriend Robin Scorpio. Alexis and him were still very close, she had been the closest thing he had to a mother as he grew up and for that, he was very grateful to her. Ned was a member of the infamous Quartermaine family, the brood that aired more dirty laundry then a Laundromat. Both families were very wealthy and they fought tooth and nail over business and personal relations. Alexis and Ned, who lived in the Gatehouse on the Quartermaines� estate, tried to stay out of family problems, because it would cause problems with their relationship, which they knew from personal experience, mainly before they were married. They had gotten married on June 24, 1998 and two months before that, Avery had been conceived. Knowing what kind of childhood each of them had led, they steered their daughter clear of any Quartermaine or Cassadine childhood traditions. Unlike her father, Avery didn�t have to attend boarding school, and unlike her mother, she wasn�t going to be forced to learn Greek and Russian. Ned and Alexis wanted their only child to have a normal life, and she had so far. Avery, at age four, already knew how to read, attended pre-school three days a week, took ballet lessons and liked to play on the computer in Ned�s study. Alexis and Ned got a kick out of how Avery picked up their business terms, and went around saying things like, �I rest my case� and �mutal �sclosure� She was an adorable child, with curly chestnut hair, dark brown eyes, and Ned�s dimply smile. After the lives they had led, neither Alexis nor Ned could believe how lucky they were to have each other and their daughter...
Ned woke up five minutes before the alarm clock was going to go off. He looked at Alexis, who was holding Avery in her arms, and smiled. Alexis was a terrific mother, and although she hadn�t known a lot about parenting when Avery was first born, she had caught on quickly and so had he. Ned had another daughter, Brooke Lynn, with his ex-wife Lois, but she lived in Bensonhurst and he rarely saw her. She was now six years old and whenever Ned saw her, it broke his heart to have to leave, but having Avery made it better. �I should call Lois.� He thought. �I�d like to get Brooke up here to see us and her little sister.� He grimaced, realizing that Brooke had only seen Avery a few times since she was born, and Avery was her sister. Just then, Alexis woke up, and Ned turned to her. �Good morning, beautiful.� �Who are you talking to?� Alexis teased him. �I don�t see anyone beautiful here.� �Ha ha.� Ned said, leaning over and kissing her as Avery opened her eyes. �I want a kiss too.� She said. Ned smiled. �How could I refuse you?� he kissed her forehead and then Alexis did. �I�m going to take a shower.� He told them, getting out of the bed. �Okay.� Alexis said. �I�ll get Miss. Avery dressed.� She climbed out of bed and carried Avery across the hall to her bedroom. The huge room had been decorated in the theme of Pooh, and Avery loved it. Alexis set her down in front of the closet and opened it. �Okay, Princess Avery, what do you want to wear to school today?� Avery pointed up at a pair of overalls and a shirt with flowers on it. �May I wear that, Mommy?� �Sure.� Alexis said, taking it off the rack, and picking out a pair of pink hightops to go with it. She proceeded to help Avery get dressed, and then she took her downstairs to the kitchen and got her a bowl of Kix and a glass of orange juice. �You eat your breakfast and I�m going to get dressed, okay? Daddy will be down in a few minutes.� �Okay.� Avery said, concentrating on her cereal. Alexis ran upstairs and into her bedroom, where Ned was taking his shirt off the hanger. She stood in the doorway for a few minutes, admiring his flat torso. �What are you looking at, Mrs. Ashton?� Ned asked, turning around. �Just you.� Alexis said, crossing over to him and wrapping her arms around his neck. He gave her a long kiss and then ran his arms down her back, kissing her earlobes. Alexis let out a soft moan as his hands traveled lower down her back, ending up on her upper thighs. She suddenly pulled away and turned around. �I told Avery that you�d be down in a couple minutes, and I�m distracting you.� �I�m not complaining.� He pointed out, slipping his hands under her chemise and running his hands over her upper body. She turned around to face him. �I have to get dressed.� She went over to her closet and pulled out a pale blue suit and matching heels. She carried them into the bathroom and shedding her pajamas, stepped into the shower. Ned sighed, finished getting dressed, and went downstairs to join his daughter. Avery looked up from her cereal and smiled. �Hi Daddy! Are you coming to eat with me?� �I sure am.� Ned said, pouring a cup of coffee and getting a bowl of cereal. He sat down across from her and took a sip of coffee. �Daddy?� Avery said, looking up at him. �What, Tigger?� he asked, using the nickname he had given her when she was two. �Why doesn�t Mommy come down to eat with us?� �Because,� Ned said, half wondering the same thing. �She�s taking a shower.� �Oh.� Avery said. �Can we have pizza for dinner tonight?� �Sure.� Ned told her. �We�ll go get it together after school, okay?� �Okay,� Avery said happily. �Thank you Daddy!� �Thank you for what?� Alexis asked, coming into the kitchen, looking impeccable in her blue suit. �Daddy said we can get pizza tonight.� Avery informed her mother. �That�s good.� Alexis said. �Now go brush your teeth so we can go.� Avery jumped out of her chair and ran out of the kitchen, her ponytail flying behind her. Alexis poured a cup of coffee and got a carton of yogurt out of the refrigerator. She sat down across from Ned, who gave her a funny look. �What?� she asked, taking a bite of her yogurt. �Are you okay?� he asked. �You haven�t been yourself lately.� �I haven�t?� she said. �I didn�t notice. I�ve just been kind of stressed with everything that�s been going on at work.� �Oh.� Ned said. He lowered his voice. �You know, we haven�t made love for a week.� Alexis blushed. �I know and I�m sorry about that. We�ll rectify that situation tonight, okay?� �I�m looking forward to it.� Ned said, kicking her under the table. �You know, Brinna, I love you.� Alexis smiled. Ned was the only person who was allowed to call her by her middle name. �I love you too.� Just then, Avery came back into the kitchen, carrying her Pooh backpack. �I�m ready to go.� She said. �Okay.� Ned said, standing up. �I�ll go brush my teeth and then we�ll leave, okay?� �Okay.� Avery said as Alexis took the last bite of her yogurt. �You go brush your teeth too, Mommy.� Alexis laughed. �What�s the hurry?� �Today is music day.� Avery explained as Alexis stood up and put her dishes in the sink. She leaned down and gave her daughter a hug. �I love you, Avery Madelynn.� �I love you too, Mommy, the goodest lawyer in the world.� Avery said. Alexis smiled and didn�t bother to correct her grammer. When Avery said things like that, her heart just melted. �I�ll go brush my teeth.� She told her, going up the stairs, still smiling. �What�s with the grin?� Ned asked as she came into the bathroom. �Avery just told me that I�m �the goodest lawyer in the world.� Isn�t that cute?� Ned smiled. �We have an adorable daughter.� �Mommy! Daddy! Hurry up!� Avery yelled from downstairs. Alexis and Ned looked at each other and smiled and then finished brushing their teeth and went downstairs. Avery was waiting at the door, her arms crossed. �I could sue you for being slow.� She informed her parents. �Oh really?� Ned said, picking her up and going out of the house with a very amused Alexis behind him. They got into the car and drove out of the driveway, heading downtown...
After dropping Avery off at her school, Ned drove across town to the ELQ building. He parked the car and they got out and went inside, holding hands. Ned was having trouble keeping his eyes off Alexis, who was trying to keep her eyes off of him. He walked her to her office and gave her a kiss. �I�ll see you later.� He said, going down the hall to his office... Three hours later, Alexis walked into the boardroom for the Monday board meeting. She noted that Ned was not there yet, but the rest of the board- Edward, Monica, Alan, Jax, AJ, Jason, Justus and Keisha were. As they all sat down, Edward cleared his throat. �Everyone, Ned isn�t going to be able to make this meeting, he said he has a very important meeting to attend at eleven thirty, so I�ll be running this meeting.� He began to read the minutes and just then, Alexis� cell phone rang. �Excuse me.� She said, going over to the corner of the room. �Alexis Davis Ashton.� �Hello, sexy.� Said a familiar voice. �Where are you?� Alexis hissed. Ned didn�t answer her. �Look, make up an excuse to leave.� �What?� Alexis said, dumbfounded. �Tell them that the person you were talking to is a client and they want you to meet with them now.� �Why?� Alexis asked. �Just do it.� Ned said. �And then come outside.� �Okay.� Alexis said, hanging up the phone. She went back over to the table. �I�m sorry, but I need to leave.� �Why?� Edward demanded. �Because.� Alexis lied. �That was a client on the phone and they need to see me immediately.� She picked up her purse. �I�m not sure when I�ll be back.� �Fine.� Edward said. �But only because it�s company business.� Alexis waved and left the room. As soon as she had closed the door, a hand shot out and pulled her into the storage room. �Ned!� she exclaimed. �What are you doing? Don�t you have a important meeting at eleven thirty?� Ned grinned at her. �You�re my meeting.� �What are you talking about?� Alexis demanded, wondering if her husband was losing it. �Come with me.� Ned said, leading her out of the room and to the staircase, where he led her down to her office. �What are you doing?� Alexis asked. �Open the door.� Ned said. Alexis slid the key into the lock and opened the door. She gasped when she saw the blanket on the floor, covered in red rose petals. There were roses all over the room, and a huge bouquet of them on her desk, next to a bottle of champagne and two glasses. �Ned,� she said, shocked. �What�s going on here?� Ned closed and locked the door before pulling her into his arms. �We�re rectifying the situation we discussed this morning.� Alexis didn�t say anything, she just began to undo his tie as he unbuttoned her blazer, and they sank to the floor, Ned on top of Alexis, kissing all over her body...
Two hours later, Alexis laid in Ned�s arms, wrapped up in the blanket. �I love you.� She told him. �You�re the most amazing man in the world.� �I know.� Ned said, giving her a smug grin. �That�s why you married me.� �It is?� Alexis teased him. �I only married you for your body.� �Well, isn�t that a coincidence?� Ned said. �That�s the only reason I married you.� He leaned down and kissed her neck. �I need to talk to you about something, Lex.� �What?� Alexis said. �Well,� Ned began. �I was thinking about Brooke and how I haven�t seen her in a couple months, and...� �And you want to know if it�s all right with me if she comes to visit.� Alexis finished. �It�s amazing that we can finish each others� sentences.� Ned said. �Yeah, that was what I was going to say. So?� �I�d love to see Brooke.� Alexis told him sincerely. She moved closer to him. �By the way, Nikolas e-mailed me and he has a long weekend coming up so he wants to come home to visit us. Would it be okay if he stayed with us?� �Sure.� Ned said. �I�m sure Avery would like to see her cousin. She adores Nikolas.� �Speaking of Avery,� Alexis said. �I have to go pick her up from school. Would you like to come?� �Sure.� Ned replied as she stood up and began to get dressed. �Let�s take her to the park.� �Okay.� Alexis said, buttoning her blazer. Ned came up behind her and kissed her neck. �I love nothing more then spending the afternoon with my two favorite girls.� �Then get dressed.� Alexis said. �I have to pick her up in ten minutes.� Ned quickly got dressed and they left the ELQ offices, hand in hand and drove to the Port Charles Childrens� Center (PCCC) where Avery attended pre-school. Ned went in to get her, and he returned a few minutes later with Avery in his arms. Alexis smiled as they got into the car and Avery leaned over to give her mother a kiss. �Hi, Mommy!� �Hi, Avery.� Alexis said. �How was school?� �Good.� Avery said. �We read a neat book about a duck. Can we go to the park?� �Sure.� Alexis said as Ned started the car and headed across town to the park that they often went to. �Mommy, look at this.� Avery said, pushing a bright pink flier into Alexis� hands. She looked down at the flier which was advertising a carnival at Port Charles Elementary School on Friday. �Can we go?� Avery asked. �A carnival?� Alexis asked as Ned stopped at a red light. �Oh, yeah.� He said. �You�ve never been to a carnival. This one probably won�t have rides, but I�m sure Avery would have fun. Come on, Lex.� �Please Mommy?� Avery pleaded, giving her a smile reminiscent of Ned�s. �How can I say no to you two?� Alexis gave in, as Ned parked the car. �Yay!� Avery cried as they got out and Ned lifted her onto his back. �But I have one condition.� Alexis said. �I am not putting any paint on my face.� �We�ll see about that, won�t we Avery?� Ned said, exchanging a knowing smile with his daughter...
Friday night, Alexis stood in line with her daughter in the face painting line at the carnival. She had to admit that for a small production, the carnival was pretty cute. Ned stood next to her, a handful of tickets in his hands. He looked like a little kid in his jeans and Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt. Alexis was wearing khaki pants and a white shirt with her Doc martin sandals. �Daddy, will you get your face painted too?� Avery asked. �Sure.� Ned said, �But only if Mommy does too.� They both looked at Alexis, who immediately shook her head. �No way.� �Come on, Lex.� Ned said. �Do it for your daughter. She is your only child after all.� �Guilt doesn�t work on me.� Alexis said, trying not to smile. Avery pulled on her leg. �Mommy, even lawyers can get their faces painted. Please?� Alexis looked down at her and smiled in defeat. �Okay, I�ll do it.� Avery smiled as they stepped up to the booth. �Thank you, Mommy. You go first...� Ten minutes later, the Ashtons emerged from the classroom where the face painting was. Ned had a small yellow star on one cheek, and a moon on the other. Alexis had small daisies all over her cheeks and Avery had a princess crown across her forehead. In addition to that, her hair was bright pink with green streaks. When she had seen the color spraying booth outside of the face painting, she had begged her parents to let her color her hair. Alexis watched as Avery skipped next to them, holding the princess wand Ned had won her at the ring toss game. �Can we go to the fish pond next?� she asked. �Sure.� Ned said, leading her to the room where the fish pond was. Avery handed the attendant one ticket and taking the pole, threw it over the wall with a look of concentration on her face. When she pulled the pole back, there was a headband with springs that held gold stars on it. �Wow! Look!� she said, putting them on her head. Ned smiled, an idea forming in his head. �I�ll be right back.� He said, exiting the classroom and going to one a few doors down. Here was the PC store, where people could purchase additional carnival prizes. He waited in line to buy a headband identical to Avery�s and then went back to where Avery and Alexis were. �Here,� he said, holding the headband out to Alexis, who looked at it like it was a snake. �What is that for?� she asked suspiciously. �I thought you�d like to have a headband like Avery�s to wear tonight.� He explained, an evil smile spreading across his face. �That�s cool!� Avery exclaimed. �Will you wear it, Mommy?� �Sure.� Alexis said after a moment of glaring at Ned. She took the headband and put it on her head, stifling a loud sigh. �Let�s go play bingo.� Ned said, taking Avery�s hand. As they walked off, with Alexis a few steps behind them, Ned reached out and pulled one of the springs on Alexis� headband. She hid a smile as she walked up next to him. �I�ll get you for this.� She hissed. Ned looked at her and grinned. �I�ll be looking forward to it...�
Later that night, Alexis went into their bedroom from Avery�s, where she had been checking on her. Ned was standing at the foot of the bed, only wearing his jeans. Alexis closed the door behind her and went to him. He slipped his hands under her shirt and kissed her lips. �What took you so long?� Alexis smiled. �I was checking on our daughter, who by the way, is asleep.� �Good.� Ned said, pulling her shirt off. As he reached around to unhook her bra, Alexis unbuttoned his jeans and slipped them off. He stepped out of them, and grabbing her, threw her back on the bed where they began to kiss passionately... An hour later, Alexis let out a little moan as Ned kissed down her body. � I love you.� She said softly. �I love you too, Lex.� He replied. Just then, the phone rang. �Don�t get it.� Ned murmured as his lips traveled lower. �I won�t.� Alexis whispered, as the phone continued to ring. He finally pulled away from her, and sat up to answer the phone. �Hello...? Are you kidding.......? It�s ten thirty at night..... I can�t........ What about Alexis and Avery.....? Fine, I guess that if I have no choice...... I�ll see you at the airport..... Bye.� He hung up the phone and turned to Alexis, a pained look on his face. �Lex, I have some bad news. Thanks to an ELQ crisis underfoot in Seattle, I have to fly there tonight and I don�t know when I�ll be back.� Alexis glared at him. �Are you serious? You can�t go! What about Avery�s ballet recital next week, and... I don�t know. I don�t want you to go!� Ned gave her a sad smile and climbed from the bed and put his robe on. �My grandfather is going with me. That was him on the phone.� He went over to his closet, and after getting dressed in a gray suit, went downstairs to get a suitcase from the closet. �I�ll take you to the airport.� Alexis called after him, coming out of their bedroom. �You don�t have to if you don�t want to.� Ned said over his shoulder. �I want to.� She replied. �I�ll go get Avery up. I think that your family should be allowed to take you to the airport to say goodbye.� Ned stopped halfway down the stairs and went up to where Alexis was standing, wearing the bedsheet. He leaned over and softly kissed her lips. �I love you.� His voice dropped a little. �And I really love you in that sheet.� Alexis blushed. �Go get your suitcase.� Ned grinned at her and bounded down the stairs as Alexis went up to Avery�s room and opened the door. Turning on the light, she went over to the bed and leaning down, whispered, �Avery, Sweetie, wake up.� Avery slowly opened her eyes and focused on her mother. �Why, Mommy?� �Because we have to take Daddy to the airport.� Alexis explained, sitting down on the bed. �Why?� Avery asked. �Where is Daddy going?� �He has to go away to Seattle for a little while.� Avery glared at her. �I don�t want him to go.� Alexis smiled sadly at her daughter. �Neither do I, Tigger, but he has to. Now, we�re going to take him to the airport, okay?� �Okay.� Avery said solemnly. �Good girl.� Alexis said, pulling her out from under the covers and taking over to the closet. When Avery was dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans, Alexis put her shoes on her and took her into her and Ned�s bedroom, where Ned was throwing clothes into a suitcase. �Daddy, don�t go.� Avery said as Alexis set her down on the bed and went over to her closet. She pulled out black pants and a pale blue shirt and proceeded to put it on. When all three Ashtons were dressed and Ned was packed, they went downstairs and got into Alexis� Mercedes. They left for the airport and when they got there, Ned checked his suitcase with the ELQ porter, and they went to the gate where the ELQ jet was going to be pulling up soon, Ned carrying Avery in his arms. Edward came walking up just as the plane pulled up to the gate. �Ned, are you ready to go?� �Just a second.� Ned called. �I�ll meet you on the plane, okay?� �Fine.� Edward said, leaning over and kissing Avery and then Alexis. �Goodbye, my dears. Ned and I will be back soon.� �Bye, grandfather.� Avery said as Edward waved and went over to the gate and disappeared down the jetway onto the sleek black jet. Ned turned to Avery and gave her a kiss. �I love you, Tigger.� �I love you too, Daddy.� Avery said, her voice trembling. �You�re the bestest CEO ever.� Ned hugged her hard and then set her down on the ground. He turned to Alexis and their eyes locked for a brief moment before her pulled her into his arms. �I love you, Mrs. Ashton.� He whispered. �And I�m so sorry that I have to go.� �It�s okay.� Alexis said. �I love you too, Mr. Ashton.� Ned softly kissed her lips and then pulled away and walked towards the jetway. Avery burst into tears. �Daddy, don�t go!� she shrieked. Ned waved and disappeared down the jetway as Avery cried harder. Alexis, who also felt like crying, leaned down and lifted her sobbing daughter into her arms. �Shh, don�t cry, Avery. Daddy will be back really soon.� They watched the plane take off and then Alexis walked slowly out of the airport with Avery, who was beginning to fall asleep in her arms...
Four days later, Alexis was an absolute wreck. She had a ton of work to do for ELQ, but between running errands, and spending time with Avery, she wasn�t getting much of it done. Even worse, she was so busy that she had barely talked to Ned. Avery wasn�t doing much better than her mother. Ned had left them to take business trips before, but most of them had been before she had turned three and realized that he was leaving, and that she could express how she felt about it. The first day Ned was gone, Alexis, who worked at home when Avery didn�t have to go to school, watched as her daughter sulked around the house the entire day, refusing to do anything except sit on the couch with her doll, Victoria, which Ned had given her, and stare at the walls. Alexis, knowing that she couldn�t pull her daughter out of her gloom, just let her sit there after all of her ideas to go shopping, to the park or anything else were rejected with a vehement �No!� Now Ned had been gone for four days and Avery was still upset about him being gone. Alexis couldn�t sleep at night because she was so unused to sleeping alone. After breakfast, she fought back a yawn and turned to Avery, who was sitting on the couch in her pajamas. �Avery, what do you want to do today?� Avery looked up and glared at her mother. �I want Daddy to come home.� Alexis smiled sadly. �Unfortunately, that isn�t an option. Guess what, I have a surprise for you.� �Is it Daddy?� Avery snapped. Alexis shook her head, ignoring the comment, and looked at her watch. It was almost ten o�clock and five minutes later, the doorbell rang. �Do you want to get the door?� Alexis said. �Fine.� Avery replied, getting off the couch and dragging herself over to the door. She opened it slowly to find a young man of twenty standing there. �Nikolas!� she cried as he leaned down and scooped her into his arms. �Hey, Avery!� Nikolas said, giving her a kiss. �How�s my favorite girl?� �I�m okay.� Avery said. �Daddy went away to Teattle.� �That�s Seattle.� Alexis corrected her, coming up and giving Nikolas a hug. �Yasu, Theia.� Nikolas said. �Thanks for inviting me down for spring break.� �How long are you staying?� Avery demanded. �For two whole weeks.� Nikolas told her. �I have a present for you if you want it.� �Really?� Avery said. �Of course I want it. You always give the goodest presents, Nikolas.� Nikolas smiled and setting her down on the floor, went out to his car and came back carrying a large box. He handed it to Avery, who immediately tore the wrapping paper off and pulled a large stuffed Tigger out. �Tigger!� she exclaimed happily, grabbing hold of Nikolas� legs and clinging to them. �Thank you, Nikolas.� �You�re welcome squirt.� Nikolas told her. �You know, I wanted to take you over to the park, do you want to go?� �Yes.� Avery said. �May I, Mommy?� �Sure.� Alexis said. �You go get dressed in the outfit I put out for you on your bed, okay?� �Okay.� Avery agreed, racing up the stairs as Alexis leaned over and kissed Nikolas� head. �Thank you.� She said. �For what?� he asked, puzzled. Alexis smiled. �For making Avery happy. She�s been miserable since Ned left. To be honest, I have been too.�
They walked over to the couch and sat down as Nikolas said, �I know what that feels like. I�ve been a little down since Robin and I broke up last month.� �You broke up?� Alexis asked, shocked. �Why?� Nikolas shrugged. �You know Jason Morgan? He came to see her at Yale after all this time, and she realized that she�s still in love with him.� �Nikolas, I�m so sorry.� Alexis said, touching his arm. �It�s okay.� He said. �To be honest, I�ve been casually seeing someone for the last couple weeks.� �Who?� Alexis asked, wondering if it was one of the girls that were part of his circle of friends, since she had met many of them, during parent weekends when she and Ned played surrogates for him. �You know her very well.� Nikolas said. �She�s pre-med.� �How do you know her?� Alexis asked. �You�re pre-law.� Nikolas looked her in the eye. �It�s Emily.� �Emily?� Alexis asked. �As in Ned�s cousin? My cousin?� Nikolas nodded sheepishly. �Yeah. We�ve gotten really close since her boyfriend, Andrew, moved to England and when Robin and I broke up, everything just kind of fell into place. Are you mad?� Alexis shook her head. �Why would I be mad? I love Emily, and you two have always looked good together. You don�t mind that you�re a junior and she�s a freshman?� �Nope.� Nikolas said. �She�s eighteen, I�m twenty, the age difference doesn�t really matter. Anyways, she�s home for break too, we flew down together, she�s at the main house saying hello to her parents, but she�s going to join me to take Avery to the park, if that�s all right with you.� �It�s fine.� Alexis said, as Avery came bounding down the stairs in jeans, a navy blue and green Gap shirt and sneakers. �I�m ready to go!� she exclaimed, running over to Nikolas, her new Tigger in her hand. �Is it okay if Emily comes with us?� Nikolas asked her. �Sure.� Avery said. �Emily is fun too.� �Great.� Nikolas said, standing up and picking her up. �Alexis, we�ll be back by say, two, since we�re going to do lunch too?� �Great.� Alexis said. �I�m going to be running some errands, so if you need me, just call me on my cell phone.� She gave Avery a quick kiss. �Have fun with your cousins, Avery.� �Bye Mommy!� Avery called as Nikolas carried her out the door. Alexis watched them leave and then grabbing her purse, left to go grocery shopping...
Two hours later, Alexis had gone downtown to the ballet store to buy Avery new tights and to the Gap Kids to buy her jeans and a baseball hat that she had wanted. After going to the library to return some books, she stopped at ELQ to pick up a file she needed, and then finally went over to the grocery store. She parked her Mercedes and went inside. Ten minutes later, Alexis, going to get Avery some juice, turned her cart down the beverage isle and standing there was a blond woman with her daughter in the cart, buying margarita mix. Alexis� heart dropped into her shoes. The woman was Katherine Cassadine, Stefan�s wife and her sister-in-law. Katherine looked up and saw Alexis. �Well, well. If it isn�t the Cassadine turned Quartermaine.� �Hello, Katherine.� Alexis said in what she hoped to be a civil voice. �What, may I ask, are you doing in Port Charles?� Katherine gave her a typical icy smile. �Stefan is here on business, and besides, the Holiday Ball is coming up. I�d never dream of missing that.� �You did last year.� Alexis pointed out, putting a bottle of apple juice in her cart. �Well,� Katherine said, shaking her blond hair. �That couldn�t be helped. We were out in the middle of the Mediterranean on a yacht, ya know?� She gestured to the little girl in the cart. �This is our daughter, Christabel.� �She�s adorable.� Alexis said, looking closely at the child, who had Stefan�s dark blue eyes and Katherine�s blond hair. �How�s your daughter?� Katherine asked. �She�s four now isn�t she?� Alexis nodded. �Avery�s fine. Actually, she�s out right now with Nikolas, who is home for spring break.� �Nikolas is home?� Katherine asked, surprised. �I guess his father and I will pay him a visit and catch up.� �Poor Nikolas.� Alexis thought to herself. �Mommy, who�s that?� Christabel piped up. �Um, well,� Katherine said. �That�s your uh... aunt, Alexis.� �Aunt?� Christabel repeated. She looked at Alexis. �You?� Alexis smiled, fighting back the urge to roll her eyes. �Hi, Christabel.� She looked at her watch. �Oh, I must be going. I have things to do.� �Don�t want to miss your soap, right?� Katherine said sweetly. �No,� Alexis said in a serious tone, knowing that full well that Katherine wouldn�t realize she was being mocked. �I set my VCR for the soaps. Bye, Katherine, Christabel.� Katherine didn�t answer her as Alexis walked off and to the cash register. She paid for her groceries and left to go home and call Ned.
Two hours later, Nikolas, Emily and Avery came walking into the house. Alexis, who had been on the phone with a business associate, quickly hung up, and turned to them. �Hey, guys!� She crossed the room to where they were and gave Emily a hug. �Em, you look great!� �You too.� Emily said, hugging her back. �And Avery is just the coolest little girl ever!� �Today was so much fun, Mommy!� Avery said as Alexis picked her up. �We went to the park, to lunch and then we went to the mall and Emily bought me a dress!� Emily held up a Limited Too bag. �I saw the cutest dress with a hat to match so I just had to buy it for her. I hope you don�t mind.� �Of course not.� Alexis said. �Where did you go to lunch?� �Kelly�s.� Nikolas said. �I ran into Bobbie there. It was really nice seeing her and Lucas. Have you two seen each other lately?� Alexis nodded. �Bobbie baby-sits Avery sometimes and occasionally, we do lunch.� �That�s good.� Nikolas said. �When she was married to my father, you guys were pretty close.� Just then, the phone rang. Alexis went over to get it. �Hello?� �Hey, beautiful.� Said a voice. �Ned!� Alexis cried. �How are you?� he asked. �Great.� Alexis said. �Well, other than missing my husband.� �It�s mutual thing.� He replied, and she could hear the smile in his voice. �Nikolas and Emily are here.� She said. �They just brought Avery home from taking her shopping and to lunch.� �That was nice of them.� He replied. �Can I speak to Avery?� �Sure.� Alexis said, turning to Avery. �Avery, Daddy wants to talk to you.� �Yay!� Avery said, running over to take the phone from Alexis. �Hi, Daddy!� �Hey Tigger!� Ned replied. �Mommy told me that Emily and Nikolas took you out today. What did you do?� As Avery told Ned what she had done that day, Alexis turned to Nikolas. �I need to tell you something. Katherine and your father are in town.� All the color in Nikolas� face drained as he processed the information his aunt had just given him. �They�re here? In Port Charles? Why?� Alexis shrugged. �Katherine, who I ran into in the grocery store, said that Stefan is here on business, and they�re staying until the Holiday Ball too.� Nikolas groaned. �This bites, big time. I suppose that they want to see me?� Alexis nodded. �Yes, Katherine said that she and Stefan want to come visit you.� �Oh, goody.� Nikolas remarked. �You know, I really don�t want to see him.� �I know that.� Alexis told him sympathetically. �But Nikolas, he is your father.� �So?� Nikolas challenged her. �If he was really my father, then he would have told me before I was 18 years old. And, speaking of age, you know that I am going to be 21 in six months, therefore I am supposed to take over as head of the family. And you know what? I don�t want to do it. I want to live a normal life out of the confines of Cassadine life.� Alexis smiled sadly. �That�s all I ever wanted too, Nikolas.� �Yes, and you�re getting an opportunity to do that now.� Nikolas said. �Albeit, you had to wait until you were 35 years old, but at least you get to live as a normal person with a husband and a child. I want that too. I don�t want to spend the rest of my life wearing black suits and telling people what to do. I want to be a lawyer, get married and have a life, like you, Theia.� Alexis took his hand and held it for a moment. �And it is my greatest hope that you and Avery, the third generation Cassadines, will live normal lives. I�m on your side, Nikolas.� She smiled. �Believe me, I don�t want you to end up like Stavros, Mikkos or any of them.� �Mommy,� Avery yelled from across the room. �Daddy wants to say goodbye to you.� Alexis took the phone from Avery. �Ned, when are you coming home? Your daughter misses you.� �And what about my wife?� Ned asked teasingly. Dropping her voice so only he could hear, Alexis said, �I can�t really answer that question over the phone now can I? I�ll have to wait until you come home and than I�ll show you just how much I missed you.� Ned laughed. �Lex, you should see what is going on here in Seattle. Someone sabotaged a bunch of our holdings and I am knee-deep in trying to fix this mess. I have no idea when I�ll be able to come home.� Alexis groaned. �This sucks.� �You�re telling me.� Ned said. �Seattle, well what I have seen of it from outside the office building, is gorgeous, the sunsets are spectacular and all I need is my two favorite girls here with me. Tell Avery that I did manage to get out to FAO Schwarz and I bought her a present.� Just then, his phone beeped. �Lex, I have to go. I�ll call you tomorrow, okay?� �Fine.� Alexis said. �I love you.� �I love you too.� Ned replied. �Bye.� Alexis slowly hung up the phone and turned to Nikolas, Avery and Emily. �Nikolas, Emily, are you free for dinner tonight?�
Late that night, Alexis felt a tap on her shoulder and opened her eyes. Avery was standing next to the bed, holding her doll, Victoria. �Mommy? Can me and Victoria sleep with you?� �Sure.� Alexis said, pulling back the covers and letting Avery slip in next to her. �Mommy?� Avery asked, turning to face her. �When is Daddy coming home?� Alexis smoothed back a lock of Avery�s hair. �Sweetie, I don�t know. Daddy is doing business in Seattle and he doesn�t know when he is coming home.� �I miss him.� Avery said sadly. �Me too, Tigger.� Alexis said. �Me too.� She watched Avery quickly fall asleep, and then closed her eyes and immediately fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Meanwhile, across town at Wyndemere, Katherine tip-toed out of Christabel�s room and back into the master bedroom, where Stefan was waiting in bed for her. �She�s asleep.� She announced, slipping into the bed. �Good.� Stefan said, pulling her close to him. �You know, Kazia, I�ve been thinking.� Katherine smiled at his private name for her, unaware that he always gave a nickname to his blond obsessions, like Lasha aka Laura. �What about?� she asked, tossing her blond hair. Stefan ran his finger down her arm. �I�ve been thinking about Nikolas and Christabel. You know, they are brother and sister and they never see each other. For goodness sake, Nikolas sees his sister, Lesley Lu more than her, and she�s a Spencer.� �However, Stefan,� Katherine said. �Nikolas and LuLu have been close since she was just a baby and now she�s eight. I suspect that they�ll always be close. But you�re right. Christabel may only be three, but soon she�s going to want to know about her family. What are we going to say? He brother wants nothing to do with us? Her grandmother is a homicidal witch with great hair? Her aunt, well don�t even get me started on Alexis.� Stefan smiled amusedly as she went on. �You know, I ran into the inept one at the grocery store today. She met Christabel.� �Oh really?� Stefan asked, suddenly interested. �You saw Alexis? How is she?� �Why do you care?� Katherine snapped, annoyed that he still was inquisitive about his sister�s life even though they had been estranged for almost five years. �You know, Katherine,� Stefan said. �The estrangement between my sister and I was not my idea. I still love Alexis and I always will, even if she wants nothing to do with me. I�m going to let that be, and I won�t be surprised when she falls flat on her face because Ned found a new woman, and comes crawling back to us with her daughter, who will wear the medallion.� �I doubt that.� Katherine said. �Ned and Alexis seem happy together. I mean not as happy as you and I are, but they�re satisfied with their boring little life and their daughter with the weird name. You know, I do envy Alexis for one reason. She doesn�t have to deal with your mother like we do.�
�We�ll be touching down in Port Charles, New York in fifteen minutes.� The pilot�s voice came over the intercom of the private jet that was arriving from Greece. �Please fasten your seatbelt, Mrs. Cassadine.� Helena looked out the window as she ran a hand through her ash blond hair. �I�m almost here, Stefan, my dear son. And what I am going to do is for you, and to put your sister in her place.� She smiled. �Timoria, Alexis.�