Alexis held her coffee cup with both hands as she spoke in a low voice for anyone with ears open to their conversation

"Why did she run away?"

"Rebellion mostly... and she wanted to look for you. I wouldnt help her"

"You cant blame her for wanting to try and find me"

"Honestly, no I cant. But I had also kept a secret for 20 something years and it was hard to break"

"Please know I regret putting that burden on you..."

"Its not a burden, it was for our daughter"

"Youre a saint"

"No Im a father... and youre a mother and we both did what we thought was best"

"I missed her life"

"She might not have a life if it werent for what you did"

"Having her here now. I cant believe I ever made that decision"

"I replay over and over how I could have protected the both of you, how we didnt have to live separate lives... it was the way it was for a reason..."

"Why are you so forgiving?"

"Mostly because Ive mellowed about it, but mainly because I realized Ive always known its hurt you just as much as it did Kate and I"

"Connor? Can I be honest?"

"Of course"

"Im afraid youre here to take her away, to force her to leave Port Charles"

"Alexis, shes an adult. But she is also very juvenile to the thought of being with her mother. I had to come here, one because she ran away from home... and I had to make sure she was alright. Second, because I didnt want her to be attached to you and not realize that it wasnt ok to be here, mainly because Im not sure if you would even tell her it wasnt ok. I think you would run yourself in a frenzy trying to protect her on your own"

It was true... Alexis couldnt help but think of Kristina. She would do the same for Kate

"Connor, my life... its changed a lot. I mean you were aware of the life I lived. I feared my family, I worked to cover up everything... Then, things changed. I had to change. Connor I got pregnant..."

Connor looked stunned

"Pregnant?"

Alexis shook her head letting it sink in

"Neds? He assumed

The fear of the recent past was in her eyes

"No"

Connor raised an eyebrow intrigued but left it at that for now

"How old is she?"

"Kristinas two"

"Kristina" he stumbled

"I didnt plan for her, I didnt expect how she would turn my life around"

"And shes ok?"

"We had ruff start but yes shes perfect"

Connor looked at her again intrigued

"Its a long, long story" Alexis said with a pained look on her face "look Connor the point is my life has changed. Yes I still have deal with my family, yes Im a complete lunatic but Im not the same person I was way back then. As Im sure youre not..."

"I still believe in you"

"What?" Alexis was puzzled by his interruption. He still believed in her. What did he mean by that?

"I still believe in you. I still believe that if you say things need to be the way they are then ok. I still trust your judgment, you instincts. Youre strong, youre smart. If you say you can take care of things, that you can have both of your daughters here. I believe you.

Alexis leaned back in her chair

She could breath

"I honest to God dont think I can comprehend why you do"

"I dont know... maybe its because both you and Kate are alive so I have no reason to doubt you"

"So what if I was right up until now. What if my attachment to her will get her killed after all these years"

"Youre doubting yourself one minute and youre begging me to let her stay the next..."

"Im just trying to do whats right..."

"You know I think its about time we found Ms. Isabella Katherine and talked through some things... like three adults. If she wants to make adult decisions, well let her but she needs to know the deciding factors first"

Alexis shook her head agreeing

"Shall we?" He questioned before assuming Alexis was ready to have them all meet face to face

"We should" Alexis said as she stood and began to pull her coat on as Connor politely helped

"Thank you"

He grinned his handsome grin and she couldnt help but smile her dimpled smile back to him

He held the door and she slipped through

"Ned" she said almost running into him

"Hi"

"Hi"

Ned looked at the man she seemed quite comfortable with

Alexis noticed

"Oh uh..." It seemed odd to introduce Connor to Ned. She hoped he wouldnt as how they knew each other. "This is Connor Ward"

Connor held out his hand

"Connor this is Ned Ashton"

"Ah Mr. Ashton. Ive heard so much about you"

Ned looked surprised not having any earthly idea who he was

Alexis was holding her breath

"About me? Really? May I ask how you and Alexis know each other?"

"Very old friends" Connor responded without flinching "I was making my way through town and I had to stop by and see Alexis and catch up..."

Ned nodded. It was a perfectly logical explanation

Alexis was being strangely quiet though

Ned then politely excused himself to Alexis relief

"So thats the Ned Ashton?"

Alexis had a pained look on her face

"Alexis would you calm down? People have old friends. It was perfectly logical and in fact truthful..."

"Can we just get out of here?"

"Is there something else going on between you two? You seemed more worried that he saw you with another man"

"Connor... Kate remember?"

Connor grinned. He had hit a nerve...

"You lead, I follow"

Ned had stood just inside the door out of view watching the scene wondering who this guy was and why Alexis had never mentioned him before. He didnt mean to be jealous or over protective of what Alexis did. But he couldnt help but want to know more about her mystery "friend"