LUACH8

Chap 8

Alexis is 8 months pregnant and her horomones are so out of whack. She is not at all happy with the way she looks. She's very self conscious and thinks the Ned doesn't love her anymore cause he is always coming home from work late and having alot of business meetings all of the sudden when she calls to have lunch with him. She thinks that he thinks she's not attractive anymore because she's gotten so big with the baby and she is just plain paranoid about anything and everything, always jumping to the wrong conculions about stuff.

Alexis is meeting Ned at the Grille for lunch. When she gets there she sees Ned talking with his one ex's, Julia, who is in town for some ELQ business meetings. Alexis of course jumps to conclusions and thinks Ned is cheating on her, but it's all do to her ranging hormones. Ned and Julia have been had meetings before, but now they seemed to bother Alexis. She is just taking their business dealings the wrong way. Julia on the other hand has a different kind of meeting in mind with Ned. Julia doesn't know that he and Alexis are married, last she had heard, Alexis ran out of the wedding. So Julia has got her eyes set on a very unavailable Ned.

Alexis walks into the Grille and sees Ned and Julia, and immedently jumps to the wrong conculsion. They are sitting in the corner talking and laughing. So Alexis automatically thinks the worst. Alexis stands there for a minute watching before either of them notice she is standing there. Ned looks up and Alexis "Hey honey, (gives her a quick kiss then kisses her on the cheek) I am so glad your here. You remember Julia right?" Alexis said "Yes, I met you in Monte Carlo right? We played a game of cards and I think I won?" Alexis chuckled. Julia eyes slowly scan down to Alexis stomach. Alexis asked 'So what brings you to Port Charles, Julia? Is it business or personal?" Julia looked at Alexis with a confussed look. If Ned and Alexis are not married, then who's baby is she carrying, Julia thought to herself She hadn't heard that Ned and Alexis had gotten back together, much less having a baby. "So Alexis, when is your baby due? Ned why didn't you tell me your gonna be a father again? (Ned and Alexis kind of gave each other a quick glace) I mean you are the father..uumm.. are you two are still together? I mean..last I heard...Oh nevermind.." "No Julia please go on..I know what your gonna say, your still with her even after she ran out of your wedding. I have heard it all. Yes were are still together. As a matter of fact (Alexis holds u! p her finger and grabs Ned's left hand) we are actually married! (Julia looks shocked) and yes this is Ned's baby, who else's would it be? So he is no longer available. Sorry! What was that you said in Monte Carlo "Lucky at cards, unlucky in love." Well I guess I proved that theroy wrong. Cause I am very happy and very much in love" Alexis said very defensive as she moved closer to Ned so he could wrap an arm around her waist or lack there of one. Ned looked at Alexis in shock. He could not believe how feisty she was being towards Julia. "Honey are you okay? Your not acting like yourself. Maybe we should can just order our food to go and get you home so you can get some rest. All this stress isn't good for the baby. I'll call grandfather and let him finish up the rest of my meetings today. " Ned said looking at Alexis who was about to bust out in tears "Why do you want to go home? Are you embarrassed to be with me? Hell I would be, I am so fat, I have elephant ankles, I mean ..I'm happy one minute, then the next I can snap your head off . What's wrong with me?? I cry all the time. No wonder you would rather be here with Julia laughing and having a good time. I am so boring these days. I am an emotional roller coster. I mean look at her (gesturing to Julia) she's got a waist! She can actually see her on feet (they all look down and Julia's very well manicured toes). I don't even remember what color toe nail polish I have on mine, much less what they even look like. I wouldn't blame you for wanting to be seen in public with a pretty women. Look at me, look what you married.." Before Alexis could go on Ned jumped in "Alexis honey, what is wrong with you, I love you, you know that. I couldn't be any more happier now that I am married to the most beautiful pregnant women in PC. You are jumping to way to many conclusions here, Julia and I have done business before. You know that. You didn't seem to mind then. What ever gave you the idea that I want to be with Julia? (Alexis looked at Julia and Juli! a smirked at Alexis and gave her a look. Alexis could tell Julia was very much interested in Ned and Julia knew she knew it too.) So what's with all the accusations?" Before Alexis mouthed off again She looked between both Ned and Julia "have a nice lunch" then she turned on her heals and stormed off. Ned went to grab Aleixs arm, but she yanked it away and kept walking "Wait, Alexis " Ned yalled. She turned around and met eyes with Julia, but she kept walking leaving a very stunned Ned and a very pleased Julia standing there. She didn't want Julia to get the best of her. So instead of making a bigger fool of herself, she just walked out. When Alexis got in the lobby of the hotel, she grabbed her stomach doubled over in pain and passed out. The bellhop quickly ran over to her to help her. "Mrs. Ashton, can you hear me?? Come on...Someone get Mr. Ashton now!! He's in the Grille" He yelled. "Mrs. Ashton hang in there we are getting Mr. Ashton. Someone call 911" Everyone was rushing around looking for Ned and calling for help. Ned and Julia came walking out of the Grille and he saw all the commotion going on. He stopped one of the clerks as they tried rushed by, "What the hell is going on here?" " Oh Mr. Ashton, I am so glad we found you. Your wife passed out! We think she might be having the baby. She is unconscious. We think she hit her head pretty bad on the floor." "What? Dammit! It's to early for the baby, she's not due for another 4 or 5 weeks!" Ned ran over to Alexis and held her in his arms. "Alexis,honey I am here, we are going to get you to the hospital, come one Alexis stay with me here!" Ned held Alexis caressing her and rocking back and forth until the ambulance got there. Julia stood in the corner watching everything going on.

GH

They rushed Alexis in the ER with Ned right beside her holding her hand. Monica ran up to them "Ned can you tell me what happened?" "I don't know she was leaving the Grille and Joe said she was walking throught the lobby at the hotel and grabbed her stomach and then passed out before she got to the door" "Okay well don't you worry, we will find out what's wrong her. (Ned couldn't take his eyes off Aleixs laying there so still. Monica saw the fear in Ned's eyes) "Ned, you have to beileve me that Alexis and Kristen are going to be OK. I will not let anythign happen to them. We will get all the best doctors and nurses there is to find out what's wrong." Ned shook his head yes at Monica and hugged her "Thanks. Please take good care of them, they are all I have. I don't know what I would do if something were to happen." "Okay, we have to take her now for some tests" " Okay, I am going too" Ned said "You can't go, you have to stay here. I will come and get you the moment we are find out what made her pass out. You have to stay here and be strong for Alexis and Kristen. Do you want me to call the family for you? So you don't have to wait alone??" Ned was standing there numb staring at Alexis "Huh....what..oh no..I can call Nik and Emily..I don't want to worry grandmother right now not untilll I know what's going on." Monica gave Ned a quick hug and left him standing there all alone. He watched as the wheeled Alexis into the double doors. He was worried about Alexis and Kristen. All he wanted to do was hold them and never let them go. He didn't know what he would do if something were to happen to them. Ned walked over to a chair and sat down. All his emtions came out all at once he was mad at himself for letting her walk out and was terrified that something could happen to both Alexis and Kristen. He sat there and sobbed until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up "What do you want Julia?" "I am just here to make sure Alexis and the baby are okay. How are you doing?" 'How am I doing, we! ll lets see, the love of my life and my daughter have been taken somewhere for something and I have no clue as to what is going on, one of them could die, or both of them can die..so NO I am not doing okay. I am sorry Julia, I just want to be alone. Please could you just leave" Julia looked at Ned wanting to comfrot him, but she couldn't stoop that low. He wife and daughter are fighting for there lives for all they know. Julia left and after a few minutes Ned pulled out his cellphone an called Nikolas

20 minutes later Nikolas and Emily came running into the waiting room. Emily ran over to Ned and hugged him. Ned looked awful. He had not heard anything from anyone about Alexis and every second seemed to be takeing a toll on him. He explained what had happened to Nikolas and Emily. "Don't worry Ned they are strong. They have Cassidine blood running through their veins" Nikolas said trying to make Ned feel better. "and Kristen, shes a fighter she's half Quatermine and Cassidine. She is gonna be one strong little girl" Emily told Ned. About 15 minutes later Monica walked back into the waiting room and striaght to Ned, he jumped up when he saw Monica enter the waiting area. "How is she, whats wrong? Kristen?? Tell me something. " Ned asked worried. "Alexis has a slight concusion. She hit her head pretty hard on the floor. Her head is gonna hurt for awhile. She is also in premature labor. her blood pressure is really high. We can't get her contractions to stop so we may have to take the baby. Which is fine Alexis is far enough along that there will be no compilcations for her or the baby. She is awake and is asking to see you." Ned hugged Monica and ran down the hall to Alexis' room. He held his breathe as he opened the door. Once he saw Alexis he finally was able to breathe again. She looked so peaceful laying there resting. All he wanted to do is hold her and never let go. Alexis heard the door shut and opened her eyes and looked at Ned. They stared at each for what seemed like forever before Ned spoke "Hey baby, how ya feeling. Monica said you hit your head pretty hard. But you are gonna be fine. ( Ned walked over to Alexis' bed) Looks like we are finally going to get to see and hold this baby of ours." He said as he walked over and sat on the edge on Alexis bed and kissed her forehead and took her hand in his. Alexis looked at Ned in a panic "It's to early, Ned!! I am not due for another 5 weeks! (She was getting to worked up) Ned, she's going to be so small and sick. What have I done. Th! is is all my fault" Alexis said through her tears. "Honey, calm down. Monica said everything will be fine, yes she may be small and a little early, but she will be just fine. Don't worry. Remember she's is half and half of the two strongest families in Port Charles. She is a fighter, Quatermine and Cassidine blood runs through her veins. I love you and you are to never scare me like this again. is that clear." Alexis shook her head yes and Dr. Newman walked in. "Well lets take a look at this little girl here. She looked at all the machines and told Ned and Alexis that they will difeantly have to take the baby. Ned asked the doctor about her big or small Kristen would be. Dr Newman said right about now she is a little over 4lbs., they will be able to know more once Alexis delivers. Ned thanked the doctor and walked back into Alexis' room. She was scared he could see it in her eyes. "Sweetheart, everything is going to be fine. I promise you" Ned said as he held Alexis hand and gently kissed her. "Be strong and remember I love u always" as Alexis closed her heavy eyes, tears fell down her cheeks as she prayed a slinet little prayer for Kristen.