The doorbell at the Ashtons� house rings.
Alexis: �That will be Mackenzie. Ned, remember to be nice to her.�
Ned: �I will, I will.� He goes to answer the door.
Standing on the doorstep, in a white linen suit, is Mackenzie. She is holding a bouquet of expensive flowers.
Ned: �Mackenzie, welcome to our home.�
Mackenzie: (the epitome of politeness) �Thank you for having me over.�
Ned: (holding the door open) �Do come in.�
Mackenzie: (stepping into the house) �What a great house!�
Alexis: (coming into the room) �Hello, Mackenzie. Glad you could make it.�
Mackenzie: (holding the flowers out) �These are for you.�
Alexis: �Thank you.�
Just then, Avery comes running into the room, and upon seeing Mackenzie, hides behind Alexis� legs.
Ned: �Avery Madelynn Ashton, come out right now.�
Avery: �No! I don�t want to see her!�
Mackenzie: �Avery, I can understand why you don�t want to talk to me. I was kind of mean to your mom, but we�re getting along now. I�d like it if we could be friends.�
Avery: (peeking out from behind Alexis) �Are you going to be nice now?�
Mackenzie: (holding up one hand) �I promise. Girl Scout�s honor.� She pauses. �Spice Girl�s Honor.�
Avery: �You like the Spice Girls?�
Mackenzie: �I sure do. I think they�re awesome!�
Avery: �Me too! I like Posh! She looks like my Mommy! Do you want to see my Victoria doll? Daddy gave her to me.�
Mackenzie: �Sure.�
Avery runs off as Alexis and Mackenzie grin at each other.
As everyone is eating their dinner, the doorbell rings.
Ned: �I�ll get it.�
Before he can get out of his seat, the front door flies open and Helena storms in.
Alexis: �What�s going on here?�
Helena, ignoring her, storms over to Mackenzie and grabs her by the arm.
Helena: �What�s this? You�re having a cozy family dinner with these two?�
Mackenzie: �So? You got a problem with it?�
Helena: �I thought we were going to nail Alexis for what she�s done to us.�
Mackenzie: �No, you were going to nail Alexis. I am no longer part of your plan. I see no reason why I can�t have a life here in Port Charles.� She stands up. �And you are not going to stop me. Got it?�
Helena: �I will ruin you, Mackenzie. You�re nothing but a bastard child.�
Alexis: �Get out of here now, Helena.�
Helena: �Or what?�
Avery: �Or my Mommy will sue you!�
Helena: (looking at Avery) �What an interesting little child.� She looks at Alexis and Mackenzie. �Just like you two, conceived out of wedlock.�
Avery: �What does that mean?�
Helena: �It means...�
Ned: �It means that you will be leaving right now, Helena, before I call the police.�
Helena: �Fine, I will leave. But mark my words, Mackenzie. I will get my revenge on you for betraying me.�
Ned: �No you won�t. You�ll have to take me down first, Helena, because Mackenzie is my sister and I take family very seriously.�
Helena storms out as Mackenzie�s eyes fill with tears.
Mackenzie: �I can�t believe you said that, Ned. I am so touched!�
Ned smiles dispite the fact that he�s more than a little confused.
Avery: �Mackenzie, do you wanna see my room?�
Mackenzie: �Sure.�
They get up and leave the room as Alexis goes over to Ned and sits on his lap.
Alexis: �You�re being remarkably well behaved, Mr. Ashton. I�m very impressed.�
Ned: �She�s nice. Really nice.�
Alexis: �I told you so. Once you get past the fact that she kidnapped me, she�s really a nice woman.�
Ned: �She seems genuinely interested in starting over with us. After all, she did just tell Helena to screw off in so many words.�
Alexis: �Smart girl.� She starts laughing. �So, are you ready to eat crow for yelling at me last night?�
Ned: �Later, baby, later.�
Alexis climbs off of his lap just as Mackenzie and Avery come downstairs, holding hands.
Avery: �Daddy! Your sister is so cool! She says she has all of her Barbie dolls still! And she said that if she can find them, I can play with them!�
Ned: �That�s great.� He looks at his watch. �Avery, it�s time for you to get ready for bed.�
Alexis: �I�ll help you get in your pajamas, Avery.� They go upstairs as Ned and Mackenzie sit down together on the couch.
Mackenzie: �I really appreciate you inviting me into your home tonight. I know it can�t be easy for you to even think of me, after what I did to Alexis.�
Ned: �Alexis and I had a nice talk last night, and I want to give you a second chance. After all, you are my sister.�
Mackenzie: �Ned, I didn�t want to kidnap Alexis. Helena threatened to kill me.�
Ned: �I know. Alexis told me. Granted, I am more than a little angry about you punching Alexis in the Grill that day, but I�m willing to overlook it.�
Mackenzie: �Ned, I can�t believe that you and Julia... I�m having trouble believing any of this. I have a brother and a sister, who live here...� she pauses. �Stefan asked me to stay here permanently. I�ve been thinking about it, but I wanted to ask you first.�
Ned: �Aren�t you already the house council for Cassadine Industries?�
Mackenzie: �Yes, but I was considering taking a position at a law firm in Philadelphia.�
Ned: (quickly) �Don�t. I think you should stay here.�
Mackenzie: �You want me to stay in Port Charles? You really do?�
Ned takes a close look at his little sister. Although she looks like a model in her white suit, her pale blond hair pulled up in a French twist, she looks very young at this moment.
Ned: �I do.� Without warning, he leans over and hugs her.
Mackenzie melts willingly into his embrace, and the siblings hug for a long time.
Alexis, standing at the top of the stairs, smiles down at them as they hug.
Later that night.
Ned comes upstairs from his study, and goes into their bedroom.
Alexis is sound asleep in bed, a baby care book open on the bed, her glasses on her nose. Curled up next to her, her head on Alexis� stomach, is Avery.
Ned stands in the doorway, looking proudly at them, his heart filled with love.
He goes over to the bed, and after gently moving Avery over, and removing Alexis� glasses, climbs into bed.
Alexis: (not opening her eyes) �I told you so about Mackenzie.�
Ned: �I thought you were asleep.�
Alexis: �I was, kind of. Hannah is kicking again.�
Ned: �She�s an active little girl.� He extends his hand over Avery�s sleeping form and gently rubs Alexis� stomach.
Alexis: (a few minutes later) �Hey, she quieted down. I guess that her daddy has a calming effect on her.�
Ned: �Do you want me to stop?�
Alexis: �No, your stomach massage doesn�t just make Hannah feel good. I love when you do that. It feels wonderful.�
Ned leans over and gently kisses her.
Ned: �I love you.�
Alexis: �I love you too.�
Within minutes, they are both asleep.
*NOTE* In order to have proper story progression, Love, Honor and Betrayal is being fast-forwarded to April, right before Alexis is due to give birth to Hannah. Mackenzie has now become a full-fledged member of the Ashton family, and Kimberly and Scott are as happy as ever.
April 15, 1999. The Ashtons� house. Ned, Alexis and Mackenzie are watching a movie. The doorbell rings.
Mackenzie: �I�ll get it.� She gets up and opens the door.
Standing there is Kimberly, dressed in khaki pants and a white shirt. Scott, in a suit, is standing behind her, and Serena is holding her hand.
Kimberly: �Hey Mackenzie. Hey Lex. Hey Ned.� She�s grinning from ear to ear.
Alexis: �Why are you so happy?�
Kimberly: �You�re never going to believe this! I�m pregnant!�
Alexis: �Oh my God! You�re pregnant? I�m so happy for you!� She gets up and goes to hug Kimberly and Scott.
Ned and Mackenzie join in, hugging all of them.
Kimberly: �I�m due in January.�
Just then, Alexis stumbles backwards.
Scott: �Lex, are you okay?�
Alexis: �I think I�m having a contraction. Oh my God, I think I�m in labor!�
Ned: �You�re kidding, right? You�re not due for two more weeks!�
Just then, Avery runs down the stairs.
Avery: �Mommy, Daddy, what�s going on?� she looks around. �Aunt Kim, what are you doing here?�
Serena: �Avery, my mommy is having a baby!�
Avery: �Cool!�
Alexis doubles over just then, the contractions starting to get to her.
Alexis: �Ned, I think we need to get to the hospital.�
Avery: �Mommy, what�s wrong?�
Alexis: �Avery, I�m in labor! Hannah is coming!�
Avery: �Why?�
Ned: �You guys, I have to get Alexis to the hospital. Mackenzie, can you stay here with Avery?�
Mackenzie: �Sure. You guys better go.�
Just then, Ned swoops Alexis into his arms and carries her to the car, where he proceeds to speed to General Hospital.
Two hours later.
Ned is holding Alexis� hand as the nurse places Hannah Grace Ashton, weighing seven pounds, three ounces into her arms.
Alexis: (starting to cry) �Oh God, she�s so beautiful.�
Ned: �She looks just like you, Alexis. Totally perfect.� He leans down and kisses Alexis, and then Hannah. �I love you so much, Alexis.�
Ned sits down on the bed next to Alexis as she places Hannah in his arms.
Just then, there is a knock at the door.
Alexis: �Come in.�
Mackenzie comes walking in, holding Avery in her arms.
Mackenzie: �We want to see the newest member of the family.�
Avery: (in a low voice) �Aunt Mackenzie, I don�t want to see her.�
Mackenzie: �You�ll really hurt Mommy and Daddy�s feelings if you don�t. Come on Avery, don�t you want to see your new sister?�
Avery: �Okay.�
Mackenzie sets her down and she walks hesitantly over to the bed.
Alexis: �Come here, silly girl. Don�t you want to meet Hannah?�
Avery slowly climbs onto the bed and nestles herself in Alexis� arms.
Mackenzie: �I�m going to go call Bobbie and Julia. I�ll be back in a little while.�
Alexis: �Thanks for bringing Avery down here, Mackenzie.�
Mackenzie: �No problem, sis.� She winks.
Ned looks at Avery and points at Hannah, who has fallen fast asleep.
Ned: �What do you think of your sister, Avery?�
Avery: �She�s so small!�
Alexis: �Would you like to hold her?�
Avery: �I guess.�
After Alexis shows Avery how to hold her arms out, Ned gently places Hannah in her arms.
Avery: �Hi, Hannah. I�m your sister, Avery. When you�re my age, I�ll be eight, and I�ll teach you the Spice Girls songs, and how to rollerblade, okay?� she looks at Ned. �You can hold her again now, Daddy. I�m done. Can I go find Aunt Mackenzie?�
Ned: (looking at Alexis) �I guess so. Lex, I�m going to take her to find Mackenzie, and then I�ll be back.�
After they leave the room, Alexis looks down at Hannah�s sleeping form.
Alexis: (to Hannah) �I can�t believe how beautiful you are, Hannah Grace. You look just like your Daddy.� She smiles. �You have his eyes, and his smile.� Her tone drops. �I just wish that my mommy, your grandma, could see you. She would be so proud.� Tears begin to fall down her face. �I can�t believe that she�ll never get to see you, my perfect little girl.� She gently kisses Hannah�s forehead. �I love you, Hannah. You and your sister are the best things I�ve ever done.�
Two days later. The Ashtons� house.
Ned: �Avery, come on. We�re going to pick Mommy and Hannah up at the hospital.�
Avery: �Why does Hannah have to come home? Can�t she stay at the hospital?�
Ned turns around and looks at his daughter.
Ned: �Avery, I know that things are going to be different around here from now on. You aren�t going to be an only child anymore. But you�re going to have fun being a big sister.�
Avery: �But, Daddy, you and Mommy are going to spend more time with her!�
Ned: (lifting her into his arms) �Avery Madelynn, we will always love you. You were our first baby, and you always will be. Hannah can never change that. No one can.�
Avery: �I love you, Daddy.�
Ned: �I love you too.�
When Ned and Avery get to the hospital, Alexis is waiting in a chair, holding Hannah in her arms. Hannah is dressed in a tiny pink jumper, with an embroidered Tigger on it.
Avery: (taking a look at her sister) �Why is she wearing Tigger?�
Alexis: �Aunt Kimberly bought it for her.�
Avery: �But I�m Tigger! That�s my name!�
Ned: �Avery, remember what we talked about before we came here?�
Avery sighs as Bobbie comes in with a wheelchair.
Bobbie: �How is the most adorable little girl in the world, Miss Hannah?�
Alexis: �Good morning, Bobbie.� She gets into the wheelchair, holding Hannah and they leave the hospital.
After Bobbie helps Alexis into the car, she takes the wheelchair and leaves. Ned helps Avery get into the car, and then gently places Hannah in her car seat.
Alexis: (as they drive out of the parking lot) �I�ve missed you, Avery.�
Avery: (beaming) �Me too, Mommy!�
That night. Ned and Alexis� bedroom.
Ned stands in the doorway, watching Alexis breastfeed Hannah.
Ned: �You look like the new mother poster girl.�
Alexis looks up and smiles.
Alexis: �Hey, EJ. Come join us. I�m sure your daughter would like to see you before she goes back to sleep.�
Ned closes the door and gets into bed, putting an arm around Alexis. He strokes her hair.
Ned: (whispering) �She�s so perfect.�
Alexis: (laughing) �Do you remember the day she was conceived?�
Ned: �You mean on your office floor?� He leans over and kisses her. �How could I forget?�
Alexis: �You aren�t disappointed that we didn�t have a boy?�
Ned: �How could you even ask me that, Alexis Brinna? I am completely in love with our daughter. She�s beautiful.�
Alexis: �Thank you for making me a mommy again.�
Ned: �Thank you for making me a daddy.� He kisses her again.
Hannah looks up at them, her huge brown eyes standing out on her tiny face.
Ned: �Hannah Grace Ashton, you are just the most beautiful little girl in the world.� He laughs as Hannah yawns.
Alexis: �I just can�t bring myself to put her down.�
Ned: �Than don�t. She can stay with us her first night home.� He carefully moves over so he can hold Alexis in his arms, as she holds Hannah against her chest.
They fall asleep quickly, as Hannah�s breathing lulls her parents to sleep.
The Ashtons� house. Three in the morning.
Ned awakes to Hannah�s cries, and he carefully removes her from Alexis� arms, and carries her downstairs.
Ned: �Are you hungry, Hannah? Do you want some milk?� he checks the clock. �No, Mommy just fed you an hour ago. I guess you just wanted to be held.�
He takes her into the living room and pulls back the drapes a little so he can see outside.
Ned: �Those twinkling things out there are stars, Hannah Grace.� He points up at the sky. �And that star belongs to your mommy and me. Well, it doesn�t actually belong to us, but if there was some way for me to actually give your mommy the stars, I would. I�d give her the moon and the sun too. I love her more than anything.� He bounces her a little as she stares up at him. �Your mommy is truly an angel. You know, her name, Alexis, means protector of man, and she has always protected me and your sister, and she will always protect you too, because you mean everything to her.� He kisses her softly. �Your mommy and I have loved you since before you were born. And we always will love you. Never doubt that, Hannah, okay?�
Alexis stands at the top of the stairs, listening to Ned, tears running down her face. Before Ned can tell she�s there, she goes back down the hall and gets into bed.
She knows that Ned may never know that she was standing there at that moment, and she realizes that nothing can replace the conversation between Ned and their daughter she has just heard.
When Ned returns to bed ten minutes later, Hannah is fast asleep. He climbs into bed, careful to not disturb Alexis, and lays Hannah on his chest.
Ned: �I love you Alexis, and I love you Hannah.�
Two weeks later.
Ned comes home on his lunch break to find Alexis, in her bathrobe, sleeping on the couch, Hannah in her arms. Avery is sitting on the floor watching Rugrats.
Ned: �Avery, how did you get home?�
Avery: �Mommy called Aunt Kimberly to get me. She was tired.�
Just then, Hannah opens her eyes and begins to wail. Alexis� eyes automatically open and she cradles Hannah to her chest.
Alexis: �Shh, Hannah, don�t cry.� She looks around the room and sees Ned. �What are you doing home?�
Ned: �I�m at lunch and I wanted to check on you. So, how are you?�
Alexis: �Tired. After all, Miss Hannah woke up every two hours last night.�
Ned: (confused) �She did? Why didn�t I hear her?�
Alexis: �Because I spent the night in the nursery with her.�
Ned: �You should have gotten me up so you could sleep.�
Alexis: �No, because you had to go to work today. I still have four weeks left on my maternity leave.�
Avery: �Mommy, can we go to the park after you get dressed?�
Alexis: �Sorry, Sweetie, but Hannah and I both need a nap.�
Avery: �Hannah is always sleeping! It�s not fair!�
Ned: �Avery, why don�t you come to work with me? We can go shopping afterwards.�
Avery: �Okay, I guess.�
Ned: �Good. Go get Victoria.�
Avery runs out of the room as Ned goes over to Alexis and kisses her and Hannah.
Ned: �You need a break, Alexis Brinna.�
Alexis: �I do not. I�m fine.� She yawns. �A little tired, but fine.�
Just then, Avery comes downstairs with Victoria.
Avery: �Let�s go, Daddy. I don�t like being quiet so Hannah can sleep.� She marches out the front door and out to the porch.
Ned and Alexis exchange a surprised look.
Ned quickly kisses Alexis, and then leaves.
An hour later, Kimberly pulls into the driveway and lets herself into the house.
Kimberly: �Let me see my goddaughter.� She hold her arms out.
Alexis: �Greetings, mother-to-be. How are you?�
Kimberly: (holding Hannah as she sits down) �I�m still in shock. I can�t believe I�m going to have a baby.�
Alexis: �Don�t worry. It�s the most amazing experience a woman can go through.� She smiles. �Painful, but amazing.�
Kimberly: �So, where�s Avery?�
Alexis: (sighing) �Ned took her back to work with him. She�s pretty resentful of her new sister.�
Kimberly: �I�m sure it will just take time. She�s used to getting all of your attention.�
Alexis: �She asked me if she can live with Mackenzie until Hannah is old enough to stop crying all night.�
Kimberly: �I sure hope you said no.�
Alexis: �Obviously, I said no.� Changing subjects. �So, how is Serena taking all of this?�
Kimberly: �She seemed a little surprised at first, but she�s excited now. She wants a sister. I told her I�d see what I could do.�
Alexis starts laughing.
Kimberly: �Alexis, don�t worry about Avery. She�ll come around eventually.�
Alexis: �I sure hope so, because I don�t want her treating Hannah like a leper.�
Kimberly: (kissing Hannah�s forehead) �How could anyone not love this little angel?�