ATSSCH24

Chapter 24

The next day Alexis is in her office going over some paperwork when someone knocks on her door.

�Sorry ma�am but there was nobody at the desk out front and I have some papers here that need your signature.� A delivery boy stated as in walk in her office.

�Um oh thank you.� Alexis replied looking up form her folder and signing for them.

She was so preoccupied with her work that she just threw the envelope down on her desk. A few minutes later there was another knock at her door.

�Yea� she said not looking up from her work.

�Well good morning to you to dear.�

Alexis immediately stopped working and looked up. �Hello Tracy and what brings you by?� She asked slightly annoyed with her presents.

�I came by to see if my new daughter-in law would like to have an early lunch with me?�

�Ned and I have been married for over six years Tracy I�d hardly call myself your new daughter-in law.� She said getting up from her desk and carrying on with business.

�Well considering the fact that we know nothing about each other I tend to differ.� Tracy remarked.

�Oh I know a lot about you Tracy and I�m sure you�ve heard a lot about me.�

�Okay fine enough with the games.� Tracy said getting up and walking over to her. �I didn�t come here to invite you to lunch and you know it. I also have no intention of getting to know you better.�

�Good because the feeling is mutual.� Alexis said cutting her off.

Tracy laughed. �You know Alexis if you weren�t a Cassidine I think we could have worked well together. We�re more alike then you realize.�

�Well I know an insult when I hear one.� Alexis snapped back. �Why don�t you just tell me what it is you want Tracy?�

Tracy just stared at her for a moment and was about to say something when the phone rang.

�Excuse me.� Alexis said as she walked past Tracy and answered the phone. �Alexis Ashton.�

�Hey it�s me I just called the hospital and they said that the test results should be at your office sometime today.� Ned stated on the other end of the phone.

�Thanks sweetheart I�ll keep an eye out for them.� She said as she glanced over at Tracy.

�Well please do tell my darling son that I said hello.� Tracy asked Alexis.

�What is my mother doing there?� Ned yelled

�Would you believe she came by to invite me to lunch?�

�No I wouldn�t, and whatever you do don�t agree to it. If she�s there she wants something.�

�I agree.� Alexis said turning her back on Tracy.

Tracy was half listening in on Ned and Alexis� conversation when she spotted an envelope on Alexis� desk mark important DNA result for Attorney Alexis Ashton, delivery ASAP. Tracy looked over at Alexis and then picked up the file and placed it under her coat.

�Listen Honey I know it�s new years eve and all but do we really have to celebrate it with your family and half of Port Charles at the grill?� Alexis asked turning back and giving Tracy a look that could kill.

�I don�t want to anymore then you do but we at least have to make an appearance. But I�ll make you a deal if things get to out of hand we�ll leave early and celebrate back here at the house.� Ned replied.

�Sounds heavenly.� Alexis stated before she realized what he said. �What are you still doing at home? I thought you had a meeting this morning with the L&B distributors?�

�I did, but he had to cancel��. family emergency or something like that.�

�So does that mean you�ll be home all day?� she said slightly seductive.

�Only of you plan on coming home for lunch?� he said even more seductive.

Alexis looked at Tracy. �Well it�s either that or I could agree to have lunch with your mother.�

�Oh heavens for bid I wouldn�t wish that on my worst enemy, let alone my wife.�

Alexis laughed. �I�ll see you soon, I love you.�

�Oh isn�t that just so cute still acting like newlyweds.� Tracy said as Alexis hung up the phone. �Or is it more like to overgrown sex addicts.�

�Tracy I really don�t have time to play or for that matter am interested in playing mind games with you. So why don�t you either tell me what it is you want from me or leave.� Alexis said even more annoyed then before.

�Excuse me Mrs. Ashton a messenger just left these for you.� Janis said walking into her office.

�Thank you Janis that�s probably the report I�ve been waiting for.� Alexis said as she took the file from her and began looking at it, before she realized that Tracy was still there. �Well which is it mother dearest are you going to tell me what it is you want or are you leaving?�

Tracy got up and grabbed her coat. �Well fine then if you don�t want to get to know me better then I�ll just be on my way.� She stated coldly as she left.

�Is she your mother?� Janis asked.

Alexis threw the file on her desk and sat back down in her chair. �No worse she�s the in-law from hell.�

Janis couldn�t help but laugh. �Oh so she�s Ned� mother.�

Something about the way Janis said that made Alexis laugh as well. �AHHHH doesn�t the phone ever stop ringing around here?�

�Afraid not.� Janis replied �would you like me to answer it.

Alexis shook her head and answered the phone. �Alexis Ashton.�

�Alexis I know it�s New Years Eve and all but I need you.�

�This day just can�t get any better can it?� she yelled. �What is it this time Corinthos?�

�You know same old same old.� Sonny said looking up at Taggert. �I promise you if you come down here and get me out of this mad house, I�ll double your salary.�

�Triple it and I�ll think about it!� She quickly shot back.

�Isn�t that a little steep consular?�

�Well that all depends on where it is exactly that you want to spend the New Year!�

�If I didn�t know any better, I�d say that sound like blackmail.� He shot back.

�Call it what you will.� She replied. �Now do you won�t my help that bad or not?�

�Well since you�ve got me��....well let�s just say where it hurts and I know you�re the only one who can actually get me out of here tonight.�

�I�ll be there in twenty,� she said hanging up the phone.

Alexis quickly put on her coat and grabbed her cell phone and briefcase. �Janis I need to go if any one�s looking for me tell them I won�t be back until 2006.�

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�Another day like today and I swear I�m quitting my job.� Alexis yelled as she entered the house and threw her keys on the table.

�Bad day I take it?� V who was sitting on the couch asked as she looked up at her.

�Nothing went right.� She said as she sat down next to her. �I mean if it could go wrong it did and even if it couldn�t somehow I swear it managed to anyway.�

�Mom I can�t find my other shoe.� Rachel yelled from the top of the stairs.

�I�m coming.� V hollered back. �Well think about it this way the year is almost over.

�I can�t wait.� She mumbled as she watched V run up the stairs.

�Hey when did you get home?� Ned asked as he walked up behind her and started massaging her neck.

�Oh that feels so good, don�t stop.� She replied.

�I�d say by the large knots in your neck that you could also use a nice long hot bath.�

�I don�t suppose you�d take pity on me and let me stay home tonight?�

Ned laughed as he walked in front of her and stuck out his hand. �No, but I will give you a complete rub down if you come upstairs with me.�

�As wonderful as that sounds I�m to tried to move.�

�Okay then I�ll carry you upstairs.� He said as he picked her up and headed for their bedroom.

�Hey� Alexis yelled as Ned threw her down on the bed. �That wasn�t very nice of you.� She added jokingly.

�Well what can I say you started to get heavy.� He joked back as she threw the pillow at him.

�Ned do we really have to spend New Years Eve at the grill? Can�t we just stay home and have our own private party?� she asked as she sat up grabbed his waist and pulled him down on top of her.

�And here I thought you said you were to tried?� he stated as her hands roamed freely across his body.

�I said I was to tried to walk not to tried for this.� She said as her lips touched his and they engaged in a hot steamy kiss.

�Mommy, mommy it�s snowing out again.� Kristin yelled as she came running into the room. �Daddy I want to go play in the snow�..Can we please, please, pleeeease?�

Ned rolled off of Alexis and swept his little girl up in his arms. �Do you really want to go out there and play in the cold wet snow?�

Kristin� eyes lit up. �Yes daddy I really do!�

�Okay then go get dressed and mommy and I will meet you downstairs in five minutes.�

�Mommy and I?� Alexis asked in a not a chance tone as Kristin ran off.

�Yes mommy and I.� He said rolling back over and tickling her. �You have two choices here either you get up and come play with us outside or I�ll just have to stay here and tickle you until you do.�

�That�s not a choice.� She managed to spit out threw laughter.

�Maybe not but it�s the only one you�ve got.� He stated as he stopped tickling her and pulled her up onto her feet. �So get up and get dressed while I get Tommy ready. You did say you bought him a new pair of boots, didn�t you?�

�Yes they�re in his closet.� She replied. �But don�t you think it�s a little to wet and cold out for the baby?�

�Nonsense he�ll be fine. You on the other hand won�t be if you�re not dressed and ready to go outside when I get back.�

�If you won�t to go out and play have fun.� She stated firmly as she threw herself back down on the bed. �I on the other hand plan on staying here on my nice warm bed.�

�Whatever.� Was all Ned said as Alexis looked up and watched Ned walk out of the room.

�Good I�ll just lay here for about five minutes and then go take a nice hot bath.� She stated to herself as she closed her eyes.

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�You girls ready to go outside and play?� Ned asked as he walked down the stairs with Tommy in his arms.

�Yea.� Rachel and Kristin screamed

�I don�t know how you convinced me to go outside with you.� V said as she opened the door and the kids ran past.

Ned just smiled at her as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the house. �Come on it will be fun.

�But it�s cold out there.� V pouted like a small child. �If you had to pick on someone why didn�t you pick on your wife?�

�Oh don�t worry she�ll get what�s coming to her.� Ned stated with an evil look. �Come on kids what do you say we make some snowballs?�

�You�re not going to throw them at me are you Ned.� V asked as she headed back towards the door.

�No V trust me these snowballs are not for you.� He said as he picked up a hand full of snow.

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About fifteen minutes later V watched the kids outside while Ned went upstairs to check on Alexis. He smiled slightly as he opened the bedroom door and found her sound asleep, still fully dressed and in the same position he left her in. He quietly tiptoed over to the bed and placed his hands gently underneath her. He then quickly picked her up as she screamed.

�Ned what are you doing? Where are we going.� She continued to scream as Ned carried her down the stairs and out the front door.� No Ned it�s cold out here and I don�t have a coat on. �She yelled as he dropped her on her butt.

�Get her kids.� Ned screamed as he picked up a snowball and threw it at her.

Alexis ducked her head in between her knees as the kids started to launch snowballs in her direction. �Ned Ashton you�re going to pay for this!�

�I told you to get dressed and be ready when I got back!� he shot back.

Alexis stuck her head up and gave him a dirty look at the same time he launched another snowball hitting her right between the eyes. Ned put his hands over his face and couldn�t help but laugh, as Alexis wiped the snow off. She quickly grabbed a hand full of snow and got up. Ned was laughing so hard that he didn�t even see her coming. She quickly reached behind him and shoved a hand full of snow down the back of his pants.

�Hey that�s cold.� He hollered as he grabbed her and kissed her. The kids continued to throw snowballs at them as they kissed.

�Couldn�t just let me sleep?� Alexis asked as she broke the kiss and snow hit the side of her face. �Okay that�s it this means war.� She said as she bent down and picked up a hand full of snow. �Which one of you rotten little kids should I hit first?�

�Get me mommy.� Tommy said as he grabbed her leg.

�You want me to throw snow at you?� she asked lovingly as Tommy shook his head. �Okay ran away and I�ll try to hit you.

Tommy ran off and Alexis gently threw snow at her small son. Before long everyone was soaking wet and laughing as an all out snowball fight took place. Alexis threw the last snowball at Ned as he quickly, seeing it coming picked up Kristin, and held her in front of him.

�I love you daddy.� She yelled as the snow hit her back and she grabbed tightly around his neck.

�I love you too baby.�

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Alexis sighed loudly as she walk into the living room carrying a tray with hot chocolate on it. �I think the next time you tell me to be ready to go I�m putting on my jacket.�

Ned laughed as he took the tray from her and poured the hot chocolate. �Oh was it to cold out there for you?�

�Yes.� She stated firmly as she sat down next to him. �Poor V� so cold she�s probably still in the shower.�

�Mommy� always cold.� Rachel stated quickly.

�My mommy�s always cold too.� Kristin said as Ned laughed.

�That she is.� He said as he put his arms around her and pulled her close.

�Why don�t you girls go upstairs and make sure that room of yours is clean before dinner?� Alexis began to say as they ran up the stairs. �And don�t wake the baby.� She added while they were still within earshot.

�So have you decided what you�re going to wear tonight?� Ned asked

�Oh I was thinking about my black pajama�s.�

�Alexis weather you like it or not we are going to the Grill.� He said as he kissed her forehead. �Now do you know what you�re going to wear or should you go upstairs now and start looking for something.�

Alexis looked down at her watch. �Ned don�t push it. We still another five hours before we have to be there.�

�Yea well I figured it would take you that long just to find the right shoes. To match the, oh so right handbag that doesn�t clash with the dress. That sometime before we leave the house you�re going to change, because you�re going to ask me if you look fat in it, and I�m going to tell you that you look.� He trailed off as she bent down and kissed him.

�Are you mocking me Mr. Ned Ashton.�

�Who me?� he asked so innocently. �I would never mock you. I love you way to much to ever do that.�

�Sure you do that�s why you threw me in the snow earlier and tried to turn me into a frozen Popsicle.� She yelled as she hit him in the chest and ran up the stairs. �I�m going to find something to wear behave yourself while I�m gone.�

�Oh wait you�re going upstairs to the �BEDROOM� and you expect me to stay down here? He yelled as he flashed his dimples and ran up the stairs after her. �Not a chance.�

�Ouch� Alexis screamed as Ned caught up to her and slapped her bottom.

�Like you said we still have five hours left before the party.� He stated seductively as he grabbed her spun her and landed on top of her as they hit the mattress.