Alexis comes downstairs to see how Ned is faring at hanging up the decorations for Avery�s party. He is carefully balancing on the table, hanging up some streamers.
Alexis: (amused) �Don�t fall off the table.�
Ned: (not turning around) �Hey, Sweetie. How does it look so far?�
Alexis: (grinning) �Wonderful.� She grins. �And now that we have decided that the decorations look great, what do you think of THIS?�
Ned turns around to look at his wife. She is clad in just a yellow towel, her auburn hair hanging in wet clumps around her shoulders. He grins.
Ned: �Ravishing.� He laughs. �Why don�t you come over here so I can�.�
Alexis: (laughing) �Ravish me?� she grins. �Sorry, I can�t. I need to go get dressed before the girls wake up. I just came down to get my shirt out of the dryer.�
Ned: (as she is about to walk away) �Alexis, wait!�
Alexis: (turning around) �Why?�
Ned: (climbing off the table and walking over to her) �Because of this.� He grabs her and kisses her passionately, pulling her towel off and throwing it on the ground.
Alexis moans into the kiss as he grabs her backside and pulls her even closer to him.
Ned: (pulling away, his lips inches from hers) �But since you have to go get dressed, I�ll stop.�
Alexis: (winding her arms around him) �No, don�t stop.� She gently sucks on his earlobe. �Make love to me, Ned.�
Ned: (teasingly, in a sexy whisper) �Are you sure, Mrs. Ashton?�
Alexis doesn�t say anything. She reaches forward and after removing his shirt, unbuttons his pants. Stepping out of them, Ned stands up and sweeping her into his arms, carries her over to the huge oak dining room table and lays her down.
Alexis: (her arms still around his neck) �Here? This is a table, Ned!�
Ned: (kissing her neck) �And�?�
Alexis: �We eat here!�
Ned: �Oh well.� He kisses her again. �I don�t think I can make it upstairs without making love to you.�
Alexis: �Well, in that case�� she grins.
There are no more words exchanged in the Ashtons� dining room for a long time after that as Ned and Alexis frantically get lost in each other.
An hour later.
Alexis comes downstairs dressed in black slacks and a lilac stretch blouse. Ned is standing by the couch, looking casually handsome in a pair of khaki pants and a cr�me v-neck sweater.
Alexis: (wrapping her arms around him from behind) �I can�t believe we did that.� She grins.
Ned: �I�ll never look at the dining room table the same again, Lexi.�
Alexis: �Neither will I.� She smiles. �I love you, you know.�
Ned: �I love you too.�
Two o'clock. The Ashtons' house.
Avery: (jumping up and down as the doorbell rings) "Yay! My party's here!"
Ned: (giving her a hug) "Go ahead and answer the door." he laughs as she runs at full speed towards the front door.
Avery: (flinging open the door and seeing Kimberly, Serena and Olivia) "Hi!"
Kimberly: (giving her a hug) "Happy birthday, Avery!"
Avery: "Thanks!" she grins at Serena. "You know what? We aren't allowed in the backyard. Isn�t that mean of Daddy and Mommy?"
Nikolas ( coming in from the kitchen) "Good things come to those who wait, Miss. Ashton."
Avery: (sweetly) "Nikolas, may we please, PLEASE go in the backyard?"
Nikolas: (pretending to think about it) "No."
Avery: "Fine." she glares at him. "Come on, Serena. Let's go play with Brooke."
Kimberly: (as the girls run upstairs) "So, what's in the backyard?"
Jax: (coming in the front door, hearing Kimberly) "A special toy for Ned and Alexis."
Alexis: (laughing) "It is not! It is for Avery, Jax, so get your head out of the gutter."
Julia: (coming in with a large box) "Alexis Ashton, are you picking on my husband?"
Ned: (coming up behind Alexis and slipping his arms around her waist) "I'm sure that he deserves it." He grins. "He always does."
Jax: "So where's the birthday girl?"
Alexis: "Upstairs with Brooke and Serena., sulking about not being able to go outside."
Avery: (from upstairs) "MOMMY, CAN WE PLEASE GO OUTSIDE? PLEASE? I'LL GIVE YOU SOME MONEY!"
The adults look at each other and start laughing.
A half hour later. Everyone except Justin and Sierra has assembled in the living room.
Avery: (begging eyes) "Mommy, please? I wanna go outside!"
Ned: (his arm around Alexis' waist) "Okay, Avery. Go ahead and go outside."
Avery: "YAY! Come on, you guys!" She races outside, followed by Brooke, Serena, Christabel, Lesley Lu, Georgie, Maxie, Morgan and Lucas.
Ned: (laughing) "Three..... two...... one...."
Avery: (in the backyard) "AHHHH! Oh my gosh!"
Kimberly: "What is it?"
Alexis: "Keep listening."
Avery: (yelling) "It's a TAMPOLEENIE!"
Brooke: (loudly) "Avery, it's a trampoline, not whatever you just said."
The adults start laughing as they head out to the backyard. Avery is standing in front of her trampoline, her mouth hanging open.
Ned: (behind her) "Happy birthday, Tigger."
Avery (turning and throwing her arms around Ned) "Thank you, Daddy!" she pulls away to give Alexis a hug too. "Thank you, Mommy!"
Brooke: "Avery, can we all use your trampoline?"
Avery: "Sure!" She turns to Alexis. "Mommy, may we use it?"
Alexis: "Sure, Sweetie." she pauses. "But only four people at once, okay?" she looks at Morgan and Maxie, who are whispering to one another and clears her throat. "Can you two keep an eye on everything while the adults sit over there?"
Morgan: (staring at Nikolas) "Huh? Oh, sure Alexis. No problem."
Monica and Kimberly exchange a look and start laughing. Alexis looks confused.
Just then, Justin and Sierra come through the back door, holding hands.
Justin: "Sorry we're late. We had to finish shopping."
Avery: (running across the lawn) "Sierra!" she runs into her arms. "You came!"
Sierra: (giving her a hug) "Of course we did!"
Justin: (giving Avery a hug) "Happy birthday, Squirt."
Avery: (pointing at the trampoline, which Serena, Brooke and Lucas are jumping on) "See what Mommy and Daddy gave me? Isn't it cool?"
Sierra: "Very cool." she grins. "Your mom and dad picked an awesome present."
Avery grins and runs off to play with her friends.
Nikolas: (coming over to where Ned and Alexis are sitting) "Uh, Ned, where do you keep the vacuum?"
Alexis: (suspicious) "In the closet by the kitchen. Why, pray tell, do you need the vacuum?"
Nikolas: (unable to meet her eyes) "I was just wondering."
Alexis: "Nice try." she smirks. "You're as pathetic as Ned when it comes to lying."
Ned: (laughing hysterically) "Run while you can, Nikolas! Mrs. Ashton is a tad on the relentless side when it comes to her wanting to know something that she doesn't know."
Alexis: (poking Ned in the side) "I wouldn't have to be so relentless if it was not for the fact that you never tell me anything, Ned."
Ned just shakes his head. Alexis rests her head on his shoulder. Nikolas smiles and heads back into the house.
Ned: (whispering in her ear) "Do you know how sexy you look today?"
Alexis: (rolling her eyes) "Oh please, My stomach is starting to stick out."
Ned: (placing his hand on her thigh under the table) "Do you know how bad I want you right now?"
Alexis: (somewhat amused) "How bad, Mr. Ashton?"
Ned takes her hand and places it between his legs. She smiles at him as she feels his hardness and begins to stroke him through his pants. He fights back a moan.
Alexis: (whispering) "Why don't we take this into the house?"
Ned: "You're not allowed in the house, as long as Em and Nikolas are in there."
Alexis glares at him playfully and moves her hand around some more.
Ned: (hissing) "Alexis, you're killing me."
Alexis: "That's the general idea."
Ned leans close to her and is about to say something when Mackenzie walks up.
Mackenzie: "Alexis, may I speak with you for a moment?"
Alexis: "Sure, sis. Have a seat." she moves away from Ned. He closes his eyes, a slightly tortured look on his face. "Ned, I think she meant alone."
Ned: "Fine. I know when I'm not wanted."
Alexis doesn't say anything. She just smiles as he walks away.
Alexis: "So what's up, sis? You look a little.... pensive."
Mackenzie: "Lex, was Christian a planned pregnancy?"
Alexis: "Not exactly. Why?"
Mackenzie: "Stefan and I.... well, we've been trying to have a baby for a few months, and it isn't working out. I mean, I've been off birth control pills for three months." she leans close to Alexis. "Is there something wrong with me, Alexis?"
Alexis: "Mackenzie, you can not say that for certain. You've only been trying for a few months."
Mackenzie: (looking like she is about to cry) "But Stefan... we know that he can... I mean... Nikolas and Christabel are proof of that.... so it has to be me."
Alexis: (thinking hard) "Mackenzie, the only way that it could be you is if there is something wrong with your uterus or ovaries. You haven't had a hysterectomy, I am assuming that you have regular periods and you're in good health, so it is probably something else. Timing or something."
Mackenzie still does not look assured. Alexis stands up and gives her a hug.
Alexis: "Don't worry about it, Mackenzie. Just be patient." she grins and looks around to see if Ned is in sight. "Now if you will excuse me, I have some snooping to do."
Mackenzie: "It's nice to see that I have rubbed off on you."
Alexis: "I love you, sis. Regardless of the fact that you are a horrible influence on me."
Mackenzie sticks her tongue out as Alexis walks off. They both start laughing.
Alexis walks quietly up to the back porch and begins to slide the glass door open. She tiptoes into the kitchen and toward the living room, where she can hear Emily and Nikolas talking.
Emily: "I hope that Alexis isn't mad."
Alexis pauses and puts her ear to the wall in order to hear them talking.
Nikolas: "I doubt she will be. Ned wouldn't have told us that we could buy Avery a..."
Just then, a pair of arms grab Alexis around the waist. She jumps a mile.
Ned: (hissing) "Looking for something, Mrs. Ashton?"
Alexis: (relaxing as he holds her against him) "Nope. Just taking a walk."
Ned: (sucking on her earlobe) "Right, Lexi. Nice try."
Alexis: "I don't understand why you won't tell me what they're giving her."
Ned: (smirking slightly) "Because," his hands drift up to her breasts and caress them gently. "You really need to learn that surprises are a good thing. Besides, don't you trust me?"
Alexis: (turning in his arms) "You know that I trust you." she gives him a quick kiss. "I just don't trust your judgment when it comes to spoiling our daughters."
Ned: (giving her a huge smile, dimples flashing) "Trust me."
Alexis turns around and kisses him passionately. She feels him hardening against her.
Alexis: (amusedly) "Well, well, Mr. Ashton? Are those birthday candles in your pocket or are you just very glad to see me?"
Ned: (whispering) "What do YOU think?"
Alexis: "I think that we should take this conversation somewhere more private."
Ned: "Such as?"
Alexis grabs his hand and pulls him back into the kitchen and into their walk-in pantry. She pulls the door shut and wraps her arms around him.
Ned: (somewhat amused) "Alexis, what are you doing?"
Smiling seductively, Alexis unzips Ned's khakis and slides them down. He grins as she presses her body against his.
Alexis: �I want you to make love to me.�
Ned doesn't answer her. He untucks her shirt and unbuttons it gently, licking his finger and running it up her stomach as he removes her shirt.
Ned: (whispering) "Your skin is so hot."
Alexis: "I burn when you touch me."
By this time, Ned can not take it any longer. He pushes Alexis up against the wall of the pantry. A few cans fall over but he does not notice as he unzips her pants and slides them down.
Alexis: (moaning) "Ned, what are you doing?"
Ned: �Making love to you.�
Alexis doesn�t say anything. She allows Ned to enter her, wrapping her legs around his waist, and they silently and soulfully make love against the pantry wall.
When they are done, Alexis turns to look at her husband, her breathing uneven. He has a somewhat dazed look in his eyes and he is breathing the same way as she is.
Neither of them say anything as they readjust their clothes. Ned slips his arms around Alexis and holds her close. She rests her head against his chest and they stand there for a few moments, suspended in time, reveling in what they have just done.
Ned: (whispering into her hair) "I love you."
Alexis: "I love you too." she smiles. "That was amazing."
Ned: "More than amazing."
Alexis: "Has anyone ever told you that you are an incredible lover, Ned Ashton?"
Ned: (grinning) �A few times, but feel free to say it again.�
Alexis: (laughing) �Nah, maybe later.� She opens the door and walks out, followed by Ned.
Laughing, he grabs her and slips his arms around her and kisses her gently. She kisses him back.
Ned: (softly) �You are a total brat.�
Alexis: �I know.�
Just then, Brooke comes running in and they break apart.
Brooke: �Mommy, Avery wants to open her presents!�
Ned: (picking her up) �Okay. Let�s go help her.�
They head out to the back yard where Avery is standing next to the huge stack of presents that Kimberly and Monica have helped set out.
Avery: (to Ned and Alexis) �Look at all the presents people brought me!�
Alexis: �That�s pretty nice, huh, Sweetie?�
Avery: �I wanna open them! Now!�
Ned: (grinning at Alexis) �Go ahead.�
A half hour later. Ned and Alexis are helping Avery open her last present, a large box from Justin and Sierra.
Avery: (seeing the picture on the box) �Wow! The Barbie pool house! Thank you, Justin! Thank you, Sierra!�
Justin: (grinning at her) �You�re welcome, Avery.�
Nikolas: (standing up) �Avery, I believe that we have one more present for you.�
Avery: (her eyes huge) �You do?�
Just then, Emily comes out of the house, holding a tiny gray and white striped kitten.
Avery�s mouth drops open. So does Alexis�. She turns to glare at Ned.
Emily: �Happy birthday, Avery, from me and Nikolas.� She hands the cat to Avery.
Avery: (gently holding the cat) �It�s really for me? Really?�
Nikolas: (hugging her) �Really. It�s a girl.� He turns to look at Alexis, who still looks shocked. �Ned gave us permission.�
Alexis turns to look at Ned again. He just smiles charmingly. She shakes her head.
Alexis: (with gritted teeth) �Ned, may I speak to you in the house?�
Ned: (casually) �Sure, honey.�
Alexis grabs him by the hand and pulls him into the house and into the kitchen.
Ned: (teasingly) �What, we�re going back into the pantry?�
Alexis: �Why on earth did you say that she could have a cat?�
Ned: �Because she said that she wanted one. And because we have no pets.�
Alexis: �Pets being the operative word. I don�t do pets, Ned.�
Ned: �Alexis, relax.� He puts his arms around her. �Look how much she already loves it.�
Alexis: (still not convinced) �Ned, I don�t know about this�.�
Ned: �Sweetie, don�t worry about it. It will be great. I promise.�
Alexis: �I hope so, Ned. Because if you�re wrong and it doesn�t turn out great, then you will be very sorry, Darling.�
Ned: (in a sexy whisper) �What is that supposed to mean?�
Alexis: �I think you know.� She grins at him. �Lack of��
Ned: (cutting her off) �Okay, okay. But Alexis, think about it. Brooke has her soccer goal to keep her occupied. Avery needs something to do too.�
Alexis: (unconvinced) �If you say so, Ned.�
Avery: (coming in the house with her kitten) �Mommy, look at my kitty!�
Alexis: (gently touching the cat) �What a cute kitty. Did you thank Emily and Nikolas?�
Avery: (grinning) �I did three times!�
Ned: (patting the cat) �What are you going to name her?�
Avery: �I don�t know yet. I need to think some more. Is that okay?�
Alexis: �Sure, Sweetie. Take your time.�
Avery: �I�m going to be the best kitty mommy ever.� She grins. �And now I�m going to go show her to my friends.� She runs off.
Ned: �I told you so.� He grins.
Alexis: �I don�t want to hear it.� She smiles despite herself.
That night. Outside the Port Charles Hotel.
Justin and Sierra sit inside his maroon Lexus LS, talking quietly.
Justin: �Avery seemed to like her present from us.�
Sierra: �She�s such a cute little girl.�
Justin: �I�d like to have daughter someday. What about you?�
Sierra: (somewhat flustered) �Yeah, I do� not right now�. But someday��
Justin: �Sie, my comment wasn�t intended in the sense that we should have a kid.�
Sierra: (blushing) �Never crossed my mind.�
Justin leans over and kisses her gently. She kisses him back.
Justin: �What would you say to a date on Friday night?�
Sierra: (kissing him again) �Sure. Where?�
Justin: (grinning) �That�s for me to know and you to wonder about.�
Sierra: (pouting) �Justin! That isn�t fair!�
Justin: �Too bad.� He grins. �Come on, I�ll walk you to your room.�
Sierra: �I don�t find it attractive when men change the subject.�
Justin: (as they get out of the car) �Get over it, Sierra darling.�
Sierra glares at him for a moment and then takes his hand and they walk towards the hotel.
Sierra: �So when are you going to tell me?�
Justin: �Never.�
Sierra: �You realize that I�m not going to let this go, don�t you?�
Justin: (kissing her quickly) �I wouldn�t have it any other way.�
They both start laughing as they head into the hotel.
Meanwhile. The firehouse.
Kimberly walks in with Olivia in her arms and Serena at her side. Her mouth drops open.
Sitting next to Scott on the couch is none other than Jillian Garrett.
Kimberly: (before she can stop herself) �What are you doing here?�
Jillian: �Hello to you too, Kimberly. These must be your children.�
Kimberly doesn�t say anything. She just shifts Olivia in her arms and glares at Scott.
Scott: (quickly) �Jillian and I are co-counseling on a case together and we decided to work on the background while you were at Avery�s birthday.�
Kimberly: (her facial expression hard to read) �Ah.�
Jillian: �Well, Scott, I�d better get going. I�ll see you both tomorrow.� She gets up and leaves, her long legs peaking out from under her short red skirt that matches a black silk camisole and red blazer.
Serena: (as the door shuts) �Mommy, who was that?�
Kimberly: �Jillian� she works with me and Daddy at the law firm.�
Serena: �She�s pretty.�
Kimberly: �I guess. I can think of prettier women.�
Scott: (standing up) �Like you.� He comes over and kisses Kimberly, Olivia and then Serena. �How was Avery�s birthday party, Serena?�
Serena: (holding out a princess crown) �See what I got?� she grins. �We all did. And Avery got a trampoline and a Barbie beach house and a kitty!�
Scott: �Wow, that sounds pretty cool!� he looks at his watch. �Why don�t you go upstairs and get your math workbook so we can do your homework before you hit the sack?�
Serena: �Okay, Dad.� She runs off leaving Kimberly staring at Scott.
Scott: �Why are you glaring at me?�
Kimberly: �Why was SHE in this house? Our house? You know I detest her!�
Scott: �Kim, just because you don�t like Jillian does not mean that she is not a good lawyer. We were asked to co-council on a case. That�s all. I swear.�
He takes Olivia from her and heads for the stairs. Kimberly watches him go, shaking her head.
Midnight. The Ashtons� house.
Alexis wakes up to find Ned carrying her up the stairs.
Alexis: (groggily) �What time is it?�
Ned: (kissing her forehead) �Midnight. You fell asleep around ten on the couch.�
Alexis: �Thank you for putting me to bed.� She yawns. �I love you.�
Ned: �I love you too, Princess.� He walks into their bedroom and gently puts her under the covers and then kisses her gently. �Have sweet dreams.�
Alexis smiles and her eyes drift shut as Ned climbs in beside her and wraps an arm around her waist, closing his eyes too.
About an hour later, someone taps Alexis awake.
Avery is standing next to the bed in her pajamas. Brooke is next to her.
Alexis: (yawning) �Girls, what are you doing up?�
Avery: (holding out her cat) �Kitty was meowing. She woke us up.�
Brooke: �May we sleep with you?�
Ned: (opening his eyes) �What�s going on?�
Alexis: �The cat woke them up and they want to sleep in here.�
Avery: �Kitty too.� Alexis glares at her. �Please, Mommy?�
Alexis: (holding up the covers) �Fine. Climb in.�
Brooke and Avery scramble under the covers and snuggle close to their parents.
Avery: (kissing her cat) �I love you, kitty.�
Brooke: (yawning) �Avery, you can�t just call her kitty. She needs a name.�
Ned: �Avery, your sister is right. Do you have a name yet?�
Avery: (tilting her head to the side, snuggled against Alexis) �What about Noodle?�
Brooke: �No way. You�re crazy.�
Avery: �Hey, what about Crazy?�
Ned: �I don�t think so.�
Avery: (after a few minutes) �Wait, you know how Morgan gave me the Ricky Martin CD? Doesn�t loca mean crazy?�
Alexis: �Yes, it does. Why?�
Avery: �Loco�. Loca�. LocaMeow.� She grins. �That�s her name. �LocaMeow. Cause she has a really crazy, loud meow!�
Alexis looks at Ned. He starts to smile a little. They both fight back a laugh.
Brooke: �I like it, Avery!�
Alexis: �LocaMeow? That�s what you want to name your cat?�
Avery: (seriously) �Of course. That�s her name.� She cuddles the cat against her. �Do you like that name, LocaMeow?� she grins. �She�s purring.�
Ned: �I guess that she likes it.� He grins. �LocaMeow Ashton it is.�
Avery grins. So does Brooke. Within minutes, they are both asleep.
Alexis: (watching them sleep) �LocaMeow? Ned, are you serious about letting her call that poor cat that name?�
Ned: �Why not? Anyone can tell that a six year old named it, Lexi. It�s cute.�
Alexis: (snickering) �I can�t wait until you�re out on the front porch at eleven at night, calling �Here, LocaMeow!� �
Ned: �I love you, Lex.�
Alexis: �I love you too.�
With that, they close their eyes and immediately fall into a deep and fulfilling sleep.