Surprises

Part 30

The Recovery Room vibrated as a party to celebrate two occasions was underway. Streamers hung, music blared and everyone in attendance was happy to be there. The two guests of honor were just happy to be together again.

A sweet ballad came on and Sonny reached for his daughter's hand. Today marked her eighteenth birthday and his first official day of freedom.

Three years ago before a jury could find him guilty of manslaughter and illegal firearm possession, he told Alexis to cut a deal with Justus. At first, his attorney balked at the idea, but Sonny remained firm. He couldn't stand to see the toll the trial was taking on Hope. Her dark brown eyes were rimmed with redness from her tears.

He didn't know what to expect when he and Alexis walked into Justus' office. He was sure the DA would use him to make a statement, but to their surprise, Justus offered him something he never thought he would have: a second chance.

Adjusting to life behind bars hadn't been easy. The claustrophobia made it worse than it would have been otherwise. He toughed it out as best he could and now, a miracle happened, and he was a free man. Well, as long as he didn't violate his parole.

So that meant no more of the organization and everything had to be legit from then on. Well, as long as no one knew. And no one did. But Sonny had plans to reclaim his empire and he would do it. One step at a time. But first thing's first...

"Happy birthday, mi hija," he said with a smile for his daughter.

"It is happy now," she said. "I am glad that you are free."

"So am I."

# # #

Dara watched father and daughter dance from across the room. Sonny and Hope moved together like they had never been apart. Her heart grew warm at seeing her daughter happy.

"Eighteen," Lois said, joining her. "It's amazing how fast time flies. She's a woman."

Dara smiled. "She'll always be my baby. I'm glad things are better for her."

"Me too. She is happy. Sonny is, too." Lois gave her friend a measured look. "What about you? Are you happy with how things turned out?"

"I don't know," Dara said. "Time will tell."

# # #

***Flashback***

Without Dara's knowledge, Marcus and Felicia began an investigation as to how and why Hope was taken away from her. It took them several months, but eventually they fitted the pieces together--Scully, Dara's father, Sonny, and Dara--and presented them to Dara.

"I don't want to believe this," Dara said, looking through the pile of evidence that Marcus and Felicia presented her. "My own father worked with Joe Scully. He took my daughter away. How can this be real?"

"It's real," Felicia said gently. She moved across the room to sit on the edge of the coffee table facing Dara. "What do you want to do about this?"

"Do?" Dara stared at them, finding it difficult to comprehend. "Scully is dead and my father... We don't have a relationship anyway. Cynthia has seen to that. Do? Don't do anything. Knowing is enough."

Felicia patted her hand. "I suppose you're right." The blonde private eye stood. "If you need anything, you know where to find me. Take care."

Dara rose. The two women hugged, and Dara showed Felicia to the door. After she closed and locked the door, she took a moment before turning to face Marcus. His gaze bored into her. She could feel his thoughts running at a rapid pace inside his head. He wanted more, the things she couldn't give him. Now was the time to come clean, but she didn't want to. She wasn't ready to tell him goodbye.