Emily stopped her mind from wandering like that. I won’t know anything until I read the letter. She reminded herself as she found a place to sit down and read. If anything was information you should sit down for, this certainly was.
Wanting to prolong the inevitable, she studied the writing on the envelope. “At least he is literate.” She whispered softly as she read the neat almost familiar handwriting.
She breathed in deeply and pulled the letter out of the envelope. Slowly she unfolded it; and studied the lines of print. She wanted to look at the signature line and find his name first. However, something compelled her to read the whole thing.
Dearest Paige,
I hope this letter finds you safe and settled. Of course, I know that it has. The guards never fooled you before. I am not quite sure why I thought they would this time. Maybe I knew they wouldn’t. I know how much you hate them. I am not trying to insinuate that you can’t take care of yourself. I have known you longer, better than that. I just wanted to make sure you and the princess were safe. I needed to know that. It is the only thing that makes this easier.
Oh Paige, if I could make everything better I would. If I could know you would be safe, I would be with you both tomorrow. Since that is impossible, try and make the best of your life. Live a long and happy life filled with sunshine and laughter. After so many years with me, you have earned that and much more.
Tell the Princess I love her; I have always loved her. Her birth was one of my three best days. I wish I could be there for her class play, her first solo ride on a two wheeler, her first crush, her first time behind the wheel, her high school graduation… and beyond. I would give everything I have to hear her call me Daddy, or give me one last hug.
The tears welling up in Emily’s eyes made it impossible for her to continue reading. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know why he had to keep them safe. She didn’t want to think of what he might have done to endanger them. All that mattered, at that moment, was that he had loved her. She wiped her eyes and continued with the letter.
I know these letters make it harder for you to move on. This is the last one, for a while, at least. The bank account will always be full and you know how to get to me, if you need anything else. Keep these photos to show her when she asks about me, please.
Always,
Sonny.
“Sonny?” She whispered looking up at Nikolas. “Sonny Corinthos?”
Nikolas nodded as he knelt down beside her and pulled the photographs out of the envelope. “Can you tell me what you are feeling?” He asked as he wiped a fresh set of tears off her face.
---
After losing her mom and moving to a strange place, her first reaction was to take a stranger upstairs to play? Ned wondered about his daughter’s strange request. “You have to ask her, Brooke.”
Brooke looked up at V with a shy smile. “Will you come and play with me?” V smiled as she took the little girls hand and led her upstairs. “What do you want to play?”
Brooke shrugged her arms. “Whatever you do.”
V laughed. “What is your favorite?” Scanning the games and toys V realized that Brooke had quite a collection.
“Candy land.” She whispered softly. “Will you play that with me?”
V nodded, got the game out and set it up. “Should we invite your Daddy to play too?”
“No.” Brooke shook her head emphatically. “Just us.”
V looked puzzled. “Okay, why? Does your Daddy not like Candy Land?” V wondered about the child’s reluctance to invite Ned. It seemed like Brooke should feel more comfortable with her father present.
“I want to talk to you.” Brooke said in a strong serious voice.
---
Carly shook her head. She wasn’t sure that not telling Emily was the brightest move that sonny ever made, however, when he got like this there was no arguing with him. She would have to try a different tactic. “What if she figures it out?”
Sonny snapped his head towards Carly. “What do you mean?”
“If she figures out that you are her father, what are you going to tell her?” Carly explained herself.
“How could she do that?” Sonny asked suddenly worried that it might be a possibility. “You are not going to tell her.”
Mike sighed. “That is not what she said. What if Emily started thinking about all the time you spend with her? What if started reading Paige’s diaries? Are there letters she might have access too?”
The letters, Sonny groaned inwardly. “There are letters.” He admitted softly. “She has never found them before.” He tried to tell himself and the others. “That isn’t good enough, is it?”
---
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