Author's Note: Here we are at the end. I'm not really sure what to say other than it's been a long and enjoyable ride. Sonny and Alexis will always hold a special place in my heart, and I enjoy writing them. That being said, I have simply adored each and every review I have received on this piece. I thank everyone who has taken a simple few minutes from their day to read and review something I have written. Even as a writer, I cannot describe how much that means to me. That being said, Sexis fics are few and far between, which has perhaps made reading those reviews just that much more enjoyable. Just knowing that someone else is out there who gets why I love these two so much is more than I could have asked for.

-MoonlightGardenias

Three Weeks Later

It had taken time, but Alexis began to realize that no matter where they went Port Charles would always be home. The places and memories there were not all happy but the ones that were made a strong effort to make up for it. She tried putting a word on the way she felt about the place but hadn't been able to find one. In truth, Alexis knew that it didn't matter where she was as long as family was there. She'd learned to be grateful for every smile or kind word she received, but it didn't stop her from falling onto their bed the second they were home.

"You know if you really missed them that much, I could have had a set sent to London." Sonny grinned as he propped a shoulder against the door frame.

Alexis turned her head and smiled at him. The sheets. Little things like that from home did bring a certain comfort but the people beside her were more important. "I'm just happy to be home."

Sonny nodded as he walked slowly toward her. "I am, too. That doesn't mean we shouldn't get away every once in a while."

Alexis nodded and closed her eyes as she felt Sonny's hands move to massage her shoulders. She allowed herself that moment; closing her eyes and simply feeling nothing but him. "You know if Sam walks up here and finds out that you're...here-"

"I know, believe me. I just needed a minute with you. I think that's fair enough." Sonny laughed as he pulled her in tight. Truth be told he still found it a little hard to believe. They were married, and he couldn't be happier.

"It's fair." Alexis said as Sonny pressed a kiss to her temple. "But if you stay much longer I'm sure you'll miss Micheal and Morgan coming in, and you know how much they've been looking forward to seeing you."

"How much I've been looking forward to seeing them as well." Sonny nodded, pulling her in for another kiss just as the sound of a cough sounded from by the door.

"You two are sweet. Really, you are. However, Carly and Jax just arrived with the boys and my mother has to get ready." Sam said, smiling apologetically as she gestured to the door. "Sonny?"

Sonny grinned as he looked over at Alexis. "She's kicking me out of my own room. Just how is that fair?"

"You are already prepared. I, however, am not." She gave his hand a squeeze as they stood. She kissed him one last time and offered a smile. "I'll meet you downstairs."

It wasn't a ceremony really, but family and friends gathering together to rejoice the ending of a particularly difficult chapter in all of their lives. In one form or another every person in the living room had been affected by events that no one could have predicted. They had struggled and at times were afraid, but had somehow managed to make their way through. If anything, finding a way through was what they were all good at.

Alexis was speaking to Sam about plans with the girls that weekend when she heard the sound of someone tapping metal against a champagne glass. "He isn't."

"Relax, " Sam spoke as she watched her mother flush. "I'm sure everything will be fine."

Once Sonny caught everyone's attention he nodded in Alexis' direction. "Could you come here, Lex? Just...for a minute."

Alexis hesitated a second, but was quick to move forward. "What's this about?" She whispered upon reaching his side.

"You'll see." Sonny promised, returning his gaze to everyone standing and sitting in the room. Jason was sitting next to Mike on the sofa, that one thought alone surprising him a little. Mike held Molly on his lap, and Morgan sat beside him. Kristina was standing next to Jason and a few feet away Carly cradled Jocelyn in her arms while Jax stood at her side. Michael took up the space next to Courtney and Nikolas, and Sam stood near the playpen which currently held a sleeping Stephen and Spencer. He smiled. All of them were brought together due to reasons he preferred to not think about, but he still found himself consoled by the fact.

"What's going on, Sonny?" Carly asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I just wanted to say something. You know, to everybody." Sonny shrugged before linking his hand with Alexis'. "This past year or so has been kind of crazy, and things have happened that tested each and every person in this room. I don't have to summarize anything or add little anecdotes, but I just-" Sonny flitted his gaze in his wife's direction. "I just wanted to say I'm glad we're all here today. 'Cause I gotta be honest, it probably wouldn't have been easy without all of you. And strange as it may sound, I have to be thankful for some of it happening. I have a beautiful wife and a great stepdaughter as proof of that. Not to mention the two nephews who I'm sure won't remember this day-"

"Don't worry, I'm taping." Jax quipped. He earned a glare, to which he had to laugh. "It's new and I had to test it out, right?"

Sonny nodded. "I guess so. Anyway-" He smiled at Alexis who gladly returned the favor. In sync he thought, or perfectly able to read each other. "I just wanted to thank all of you for coming tonight. It's very important to us, and I'm glad you could make it."

Alexis watched as he finished hastily and nodded in Jax's direction, apparently interested in whatever new gadget he'd purchased. Her thoughts went to the possibility that Sonny would be taking the opportunity to capture more moments for the sake of the future. The idea settled on her as the light from a setting sun caught the diamond in her ring. Alexis walked to the open doorway and stared outside. So much had happened, and yet it felt fitting that they were back again. She looked out at the flowers in the garden and caught sight of a recent addition; next to a rose bush, there were a flurry of gardenias.

She couldn't help but laugh a little, thinking of how certain things like love and beauty turned up in the least expected of places.

"It's pretty."

Alexis jumped a little at the voice from behind her. "Nikolas," Her hand slowly fell from her throat. "I'm sorry, you scared me."

"I apologize," Nikolas replied. "but I was just taking the chance to admire the place. Sonny has a beautiful garden out here. Granted, Wyndemere's gardens are nearly three times the size, but-"

"I like it here." Alexis replied, feeling like she knew where the conversation was going.

Nikolas coughed and shifted his feet. He was usually calm and put together, but found that Alexis managed to cut directly to the point, which wasn't what he planned for. "I understand in this family we don't say it much, but I do love you Alexis. You're my aunt and as such I feel that I should do everything I can to make sure you are happy. It is my understanding that where you are happiest is with Sonny and your two girls, but I'd like you to know that I would always be glad to have you at Wyndemere. To visit more often at the least."

Alexis nodded in agreement. "I'll definitely visit more often."

"Alexis, do you-" Sonny paused upon seeing them both. "Sorry Nikolas, I didn't realize you were out here."

Nikolas shook his head. "No problem at all. Actually, I should go wake Stephen and Spencer."

"You aren't leaving now, are you?" Alexis asked.

"No, not yet. However, I'd like to have them awake for a while. They need to sleep tonight." He replied. Waving at them both, Nikolas nodded and walking back into the house.

Sonny sighed and stared at her. Back slightly turned, he could just smell her perfume on the breeze that drifted by. "Okay, spill."

Alexis frowned until he walked closer, eventually wrapping his arms tightly around her waist to pull her closer. "Spill what?"

Sonny shrugged. "Whatever it is that's bugging you. I can see it on your face, Lex."

Alexis thought for a moment and shrugged. "This family. How incredibly happy I am to have all of them here and close to me." She replied, just seconds before her laughter broke the comfortable silence. "If someone told me a year ago that I'd be happy that Carly was here, I'm almost positive that I would laugh in their face."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Sonny countered, carefully retracting his steps. "I just meant that I know you. I also know that you care for our children, and so does she. You and Carly have your differences...a lot of them, really. Still, you two managed to come together where it counted."

Alexis thought back, remembering the times she'd sworn she was crazy for ever agreeing to a plan Carly had fabricated. It wasn't exactly a secret as to how badly some turned out. However, she'd been instrumental in arranging for everyone to go to the island, not knowing at the time the train of events that would follow. She herself hadn't been in as bright and happy of a place, what with Courtney's supposed passing and Sonny's imminent depression. Still, through everything that followed, her heart eventually came back to where she realized it had always been before; Sonny had been the only one to really reach her in that way, and for that she would always be thankful.

Spotting a tear that sprouted in her eye, Sonny brought forward his thumb and lightly brushed it away. "Alexis?"

She shook her head, signaling that she was fine. Not fineas Alexis was known to say in the past, but for once truly content. Cocking her head to the side, Alexis brought her hand up to rest against his cheek. "I know that you're probably aware of this already as I have said it before, but I truly do love you, Sonny Corinthos."

Sonny's concern broke in the form of a grin. "Yeah I do know that, but I'll never grow tired of hearing it. Therefore, it's only fair that I tell you how much I love you-" Sonny hesitated, unsure of how she would react. They were unable to take the opportunity to discuss things such as trivial as a name, but it seemed perfectly fitting. "Alexis Corinthos."

Alexis' mouth hung open, to which Sonny was quick to claim it with his. She found that they danced in near perfect harmony, both following the other as if they needed no direction. Finally pulling back due to a need for oxygen, Alexis offered a simple smile as the thought rang in her head. "You know Sonny, we never officially got our first dance."

Sonny laughed, because in truth they'd been dancing around each other for years. Either way, they had a way of always coming back to each other. Music drifted out from inside the house and he held out his hand. "Well then, I'd say it's about time."