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Chapter 20 They had already been in New York for three days. Julia left more messages, but Ned just ignored them. Alexis had shopped in every store, twice. Ned is amazed at how much money a woman can spend on a single pair of shoes and how many pair of shoes she can by at one time. Alexis practically bought her and the girls a new wardrobes. Ned bought a thing or two, but clearly not as much as Alexis has. They took Brooke to Central Park and let her ride the Carousel. Ned tried to teach her how to ice skate in Rockefeller Plaza. They rode in a horse carriage around Central Park. They went on every possible tour they could go on. They went to FOA Swartz and bought Brooke and Kristen tons of toys. Are they a little spoiled one would ask? NAH! Just very loved. The next evening they were getting ready for their dinner and Broadway Show. "Okay Brooke one more time..Beauty and the Beast or Susical?" Ned asked the little girl. Alexis was fixing her hair" I guess..well.." Ned looked at Alexis "She is acting more like you everyday" She smiled and finished her hair. "I really like Belle, so Beauty and the Beast" "Great now that that's settled, I go downstairs and by he best tickets in the house" Ned left. Alexis finished getting Brooke dressed and got herself dressed before Kristen woke up from her nap. Ned came back "let's go girls, we have reservations." He yelled. Alexis sat on the sofa "Well we are gonna have to be a little late. Someone was on the hungry side." She said as she sat there nursing Kristen. "My goodness that girl eats all the time. She is going to be a little butterball. Don't you think it's about time you put her on a bottle? That way she can eat on the go and not make us miss our reservations" Ned said gathering their stuff. "Alexis stood up "She still can eat on the go." She started to walk out the door.� Excuse me" Ned said draping a blanket over her shoulder. "They are just something�s I don't want to share with the public. It's bad enough they saw you in your underwear" Alexis rolled her eyes "Did you have to remind me of that. How humiliating was that?" Alexis laughed as they walked to the elevator. They arrived at the theater 30 minutes before show time. Brooke-Lynn was in total amazement. They were sitting on the front row. She was so excited. Ned worked a little magic and she was to go backstage after the show. It was a surprise that he would share with her at curtain call. They settled in their seats and Brooke talked nonstop. She was talking to people in the row behind her. People was stopping Brooke-Lynn and talking to her, cause she was just so darn cute. Even when Alexis took her to the bathroom, she was talking to everyone in there. They all told Alexis what a wonderful daughter she had. Alexis felt proud that Brooke-Lynn was her stepdaughter. She had picked up on a few of Alexis' traits since she has been staying with them, like her nonstop rambling about anything. Ned had came out to look for them because it seemed to have taken them so long just to go to the bathroom. Ned noticed them talking with an older couple. Ned walked up to Alexis and handed Kristen to her, he wrapped his arm around her. Alexis introduced the older couple to Ned "Honey, this is Mr. and Mrs. Harshbarger. They were just telling me how much Brooke-Lynn reminded them of their little great granddaughter." "Ned Ashton and it's really nice to meet you. Brooke-Lynn is one of a kind" He smiled at the little girl twirling around like a princess. "Who is this little beauty?" The lady asked grabbing Kristen chubby little hand. "This our little Kristen Nicole." Alexis said kissing her head. "My, you have such beautiful children. You two are so lucky. There are many people out there childless or have children they don't want. I hope you don't stop with these two, your children are so delightful. It's any parents dream to have such wonderful children." The older man told them. The lights flickered letting them know it was almost show time. "Thank you for your kind words. Ned and I are truly blessed. Our children are shown constant love. We love each other and nothing would ever happen to us or our children." Alexis told them leaning in closer to Ned. Ned felt his heart sink cause it brought back what he and Julia almost did. They older couple left. "Sweetheart, are you okay? You like something is bothering you." Alexis asked Ned. "Oh no..I was just thinking about us and how much I love you and the girls. You are the most important things in my life." Ned kissed Alexis "Let's go, the shows about to start" He picked up Brooke-Lynn and took Alexis hand as he lead them back to there seat. Brooke sat still through the whole show taking it all in. Ned and Alexis tried asking her questions, but she blew them off. She was so into the show. At intermission Alexis had the hardest time to get her to go use the bathroom, she didn't want to miss anything. The show ended and Brooke starting talking nonstop about the show and her favorite parts and songs. She was singing the songs and people looked at her and smiled. They saw the older couple again before they went backstage. Brooke's eyes about popped out of her head when she saw Belle standing in front of her. She began telling the girl her favorite parts. She started singing and the girl started singing with her. Ned and Alexis stood back beaming with joy and pride. They took pictures and got autographs. Brooke then was on cloud nine. She had met Belle and the Beast. Words couldn't describe how the little girl felt. They arrived at the restaurant for dinner. The waiter took them to their table and Brooke proceeded to tell him about the show. He listened and talk with her about it. He had told her that his daughter also loved the show. People couldn't help but watched the Ashton's. They all thought what a picture perfect family they made. The gossip from Port Charles had not filtered to New York just yet, but looking at them, people would be crazy to believe the lies that paper prints about them on a daily basis. Ned and Alexis fit each so other perfectly. It was like they were made for each other. Brooke-Lynn and Kristen where a perfect mixture of them both, although Brooke is not Alexis, they have similar characteristics and features. One couple walked up to them and told them how much they envy them. Ned and Alexis just looked at each other as they walked away "If they only knew" They said at the same time. Ned and Alexis were far from being the perfect couple. It took many years and tears to get where they are today, in that place of happiness. Ned carried an overly exhausted Brooke into the room. He laid her on the bed. He let her lay there till Alexis got Kristen fed and down for the night. Brooke was fast asleep as Alexis changed her clothes and tucked her into bed. Alexis walked back into their room and climb in bed next to Ned. She snuggled up to him and he wrapped his arm around her. She shivered slightly. �You cold? Need me to turn up the heat?" Ned asked rubbing her arms to get her warm. "Nah..I'm fine. I had the best time this week. I can't believe we have to leave Saturday. This has been the best vacation I have had in the a longtime, it's ranks up there with our trips to Monte Carlo and Belize. Thank you" She kissed him softly on the lips. "No thank you for making me so happy and for letting me want to bring you here. Alexis, I love you a little more each day. I didn't think I could ever possibly love anyone or anything more than I do you, but that little girl in the next room has captured my heart. Yes I love Brooke, but there is something about Kristen that makes me love her more. Maybe its because she is a part you and me. Is that bad for loving one daughter more than the other? Thank you for letting me be apart of her life. I know you could have gotten rid of her, or ran away or just not tell me about her at all since, we weren't at all civil with each other. I am sorry for any pain I may have caused you in the past. I know it's to late now, but better later than never. I love you." Ned kissed her as she melted into his arms. They held on to one another not wanting to let go. Alexis looked up at him "Ned Ashton, I do believe you left me speechless" Ned laughed "Well that's a first" They laughed as Ned pulled her on top of him and slowly discarded their clothes and made love. |
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