Intro

Brenda and Lois have been best friends for years, ever

since their husbands had worked a business deal

together. Brenda is the mother of two little girls,

ages 3 and 5, named Lacey and Shayna. Brenda's

husband, James Michaels has been abusing Brenda for

years, almost since their wedding night. Brenda

finally gets up the courage to leave James and flees

to Port Charles, running to her best friend Lois

Ashton. Lois shields Brenda from James' wrath and

helps her obtain a divorce. She introduces Brenda to

Luke, hoping to land her a job at the club. When

Brenda runs into Sonny, will the electricity be enough

to mend Brenda's broken heart and broken spirit? Or

is it too late?

Things about GH history that I have changed: Ned and

Lois are still together, they have Brooke and another

child, age 3, named Roxanne (after the Rockettes).

Luke and Laura never got a divorce, Lucky never died

in the fire, Robin and Brenda were never friends,

Jason is with Carly. Lucky and Elizabeth are Brenda's

age (about 25 for this fic) and are married, Elizabeth

expecting her first baby. Ok, here we go. Please

respond! Good or bad. It's the responses that keep

me going.

Lois tied her robe tightly around her and went to

answer the banging on the door. She gasped as she

opened it to a bloody and battered Brenda

Barrett-Michaels. Lois took Brenda by the arm and led

her in, taking Brenda's 3 year old daughter Lacey by

the other hand. Looking behind her, she saw 5 year

old Shayna standing there with tears rolling down her

cheeks, a bruise under her eye.

"Sit tight right here, Bren. I'm gonna go wake

up Ned." said Lois, making sure the shades were drawn

and the door securely locked.

Brenda sat on the couch, cuddling her daughters

to her. She had been willing to tolerate the beatings

she received from James as long as her children were

safe. Tonight when he had come home drunk, he had hit

Shayna, and that had been the last straw. Brenda had

hit him over the head and fled with the girls.

"Brenda, what happened?" asked Ned, coming down

the stairs with Lois.

"Wait, Ned. Let me get the girls settled." said

Lois, not wanting Brenda to have to go through the

story twice.

"Do you want something to drink, Brenda?" asked

Ned, not sure what to do.

"Some ice water. Thanks, Ned. And, could you

get me an ice pack for this eye?"

A few minutes later, Lois came down the stairs.

She sat down by Brenda and hugged her, careful not to

hug her too tight. She knew there were far more

bruises than what she could see.

"Thanks, Ned." said Brenda, taking the ice water

and ice pack from him.

"What happened, Brenda?" asked Lois.

"James was drunk tonight when he came home from

his business meeting. He started in on me because his

supper had gotten cold. He beat on me for almost 20

minutes, then Shayna came in the room. She yelled at

him to stop hitting me. He turned around and hit her

hard. She went flying across the room.

"When he did that, I didn't have a choice. I hit

him over the head with a vase and left. I used his

credit card to get the plane tickets. I didn't know

where else to go, Lois. I'm so sorry to dump this on

you. I just-the girls-we don't have anyone else."

finished Brenda, sobbing.

"Don't apologize, honey. We'll get this all

sorted out. You and the girls have a home with us

anytime." replied Lois, pulling Brenda in her arms and

looking over her shoulder at Ned.

Chapter 1

One month later, Brenda was a free woman. Ned

had used all his Quartermaine connections to get

Brenda a speedy divorce, as well as getting James to

sign over his parental rights to Lacey and Shayna.

"Lo, I need to get a job." said Brenda, coming

down the stairs after dressing the girls. "And, I

need to get Shayna enrolled in school for this coming

school year."

"I have an idea about the job thing. You've

heard me talk about Lucky and Elizabeth Spencer?

Well, his father Luke owns a club here in town. And

Luke happens to look at me as an adopted daughter. He

mentioned to me that he needs a new waitress at the

club. What'ya say?"

"Let's go talk to him."

Brenda and Lois arrived at the club 30 minutes

later. They were greeted by Lucky and a very pregnant

Elizabeth.

"Guys, I would like you to meet one of my very

best friends, this is Brenda Barrett. Brenda, this is

Lucky and Elizabeth Spencer."

A round of nice to meet you's went around. Lucky

and Elizabeth immediately took a liking to Brenda.

They were talking a little small talk when Luke came

out of the back with Sonny.

"Lois, love! What are you doing here?" asked

Luke, looking up from the invoice he and Sonny were

discussing.

"Still need a waitress?" asked Lois, not failing

to notice that Sonny couldn't take his eyes off

Brenda.

Sonny looked up, ready to greet Lois when all

coherent thought left him. He saw before him the most

beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had gorgeous

dark hair that was like spun silk, and eyes that

looked like melted chocolate. Her eyes, however, had

a haunted look in them. Sonny noticed the longer he

stared, the more uncomfortable Brenda looked. Finally

tearing his eyes away from her, he turned to Lois.

"Looking for a job, Cerullo?" asked Sonny, trying

his best not to look back at Brenda.

"It's Ashton, Corinthos. You'd think after 6

years, you'd be used to it by now. And, actually,

it's my best friend Brenda that needs the job."

replied Lois, not missing the look in Sonny's eyes.

"Got any experience, doll?" asked Luke, not

missing a thing either.

"A little. But, I pick things up quick." replied

Brenda, looking Luke in the eye.

"What ya think, Corinthos?"

"Your hired. Sonny Corinthos." said Sonny

holding out his hand. Brenda placed her hand in his

and felt the electricity ripple through her. Sonny

looked into her eyes, and wondered what had happened

to this gorgeous lady to cause such pain in her eyes.

"Brenda Barrett. And thank you, Mr. Corinthos."

said Brenda, finally tearing her eyes away from his.

"It's Sonny. You're welcome. Be here at 5 this

evening." replied Sonny, not wanting to break the

contact.

Later on that evening, a very tired Brenda sat on

one of the bar stools enjoying a much needed diet

Pepsi. Her first night had been hectic, but had gone

well. Luke and Sonny were both pleased.

"You did good tonight, honey." said Luke, wiping

off the bar.

"Thanks, Luke. I'll get quicker." replied

Brenda, casting her eyes down.

"I know you will. This job takes a bit to get

used to. But, you're great with the customers. How

much did you make in tips tonight?"

"I haven't counted it yet. Do I need to give you

a percentage of it?"

"Nope. Whatever you make in tips is yours. You

girls earn it."

"Good night, Luke." said Angie, one of the other

girls.

"Night, Ang." replied Luke.

"I better get going. Oh no!" said Brenda.

"Whats wrong, doll?"

"I forgot, Ned and Lois went into the city with

all the kids. Their two and my two. They were going

to see Lois's parents and spend the night. I don't

have a way home."

"Yes you do. Lois asked if I'd give you a lift."

said Sonny, coming out of the back.

"Thanks, Sonny."

"My pleasure, Brenda. Come on." said Sonny,

ushering her out of the club. Sonny placed his hand

on the small of her back to guide her to the car.

Brenda felt a shiver go up her spine at the slight

caress. There was definitelyabout Sonny

Corinthos that made her want to let down all her

defenses. But, after James, that was going to be

tough. Brenda wasn't sure if she was ready to trust

someone that much again.

Chapter 2

A week later, Sonny, Brenda and Luke were in the

back room doing inventory when the phone rang. Brenda

took the opportunity to sit on a box, and wipe her

face. It was hot and dusty in the storeroom.

"Hang in there, Cowboy! I'll be there in a bit."

said Luke, hanging up. "Corinthos, Barrett, I gotta

go. Elizabeth is about to give birth to my first

grandchild."

Sonny and Brenda grinned as Luke dashed out of

the club. Sonny looked up at Brenda, his dimples

deepening as he smiled at her.

"Ready for a break? Luke can be such a slave

driver."

"Sounds good." replied Brenda, standing up and

trying to brush the dust off her jeans.

Sonny and Brenda went to the bar, Brenda sitting

on what had become her stool, Sonny going behind the

bar to fix them both a drink. Sonny poured himself a

scotch on the rocks, then looked to Brenda, raising an

eyebrow.

"Just a diet Pepsi, please." said Brenda,

casting her eyes down.

Sonny fixed her the soda and sat it on the bar

without comment. He looked at Brenda, wishing he knew

what had put the sadness in her dark eyes. He had

asked Lois, but Lois had refused to tell him. She

told him it was something Brenda had to tell him

herself.

"So, tell me about yourself, Brenda." said

Sonny, leaning against the bar.

"There isn't much to tell, Sonny. I'm 25. I

have two of the most beautiful children in the world.

Lacey is 3 and Shayna is 5. Lois and I were pregnant

at the same time both times. I grew up here in New

York, except for high school. I went to boarding

school in Europe. My parents are divorced. I don't

speak to my father or sister. My mother is dead.

There's not much else to tell."

"What about Lacey and Shayna's father?" asked

Sonny.

"Shouldn't we get back to work?" asked Brenda,

jumping down off the stool.

"Whoa. Slow down there. We don't have to talk

about him if you don't want to." said Sonny, putting

his hand on her arm to stop her. Sonny looked at her

surprised when she flinched at his touch.

Suddenly, memories flooded Sonny's mind.

Memories of his mother flinching at a touch. Memories

of her laying in bed, beaten and bloodied. Looking up

at Brenda, he finally recognized the look in her eyes.

"Oh my God. He beat you didn't he? That's why

Lois wouldn't tell me." said Sonny, his voice barely

above a whisper.

Brenda nodded as tears came to her eyes. She

hated what James had done to her, how he had made her

feel. She wanted more than anything to put the past

behind her.

"I'm so sorry, Brenda. I didn't know. The

bastard should be beaten himself. My mother, she uh,

she died from my step father beating her. I'm glad

you got out." said Sonny, his eyes reflecting the

sadness.

"I could put up with it as long as he didn't

hurt my daughters. The night we came to town, James

hit Shayna. She came in the room to stop him from

beating me up. As soon as he hit her, I knew then

that it had gone too far."

"It went too far the first time he hit you,

Brenda."

"I deserved it, Sonny. Harlan, my father always

told me how useless I was. He thought I was a whore

like my mother. I know that I'm not beautiful or

worth anything. It's something that I had to live

with. I had to let James beat me up. I deserved that

punishment for what my mother did to my father. I had

to, Sonny." finished Brenda, sobbing.

Sonny stood for a moment before taking Brenda in

his arms. He felt tears of rage flow down his cheeks.

Brenda was easily the most beautiful woman he had

ever met. Just from what he had seen in the week

Brenda had worked for him, she was so caring and

sensitive.

Brenda let Sonny hold her, feeling safe for the

first time in her life. Brenda relaxed against Sonny,

feeling his arms wrap around her in a comforting

embrace. After a few minutes, she straightened up and

wiped her tears away.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put that all off

on you." said Brenda.

"Don't be sorry. You are one special lady,

Brenda. And I intend to show you just how special you

are." replied Sonny with a glimmer in his eyes.

Brenda looked up at him and smiled, wondering

what he had in mind.

Chapter 3

A couple nights later, Brenda was sitting on the

living room floor playing with the girls when the

doorbell rang. Lois opened the door and gasped with

surprise. There was a delivery boy there holding a

dozen tiger lilies.

"Uh, delivery for, uh, Brenda Barrett." said the

boy, looking down at his clipboard.

Lois took the flowers and set them down. Brenda

got up to give the boy a tip.

"It's taken care of, ma'am." he said, leaving.

"Mommy, who are the pretty flowers from?" asked

Shayna, walking up to Brenda.

"I don't know. Here's a card. Let's see.

'Brenda,

These flowers can't compare to the

beauty I see when I look at you.

Sonny'

"Wow." said Lois. "Why don't you ever say things

like that, Ned?"

"Too sappy." said Ned, rolling his eyes.

"Now what?" asked Lois as the doorbell rang

again. "A balloon boquet? Let me guess. Brenda

Barrett?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Lois took the balloons and brought them in the

house. Brenda grinned at her, probably the first

genuine smile Lois had seen on her face in months.

"Yuck. He just keeps getting sappier. It says:

'Brenda, I love the way your eyes sparkle when you

laugh. I hope these put a smile on your face.

Sonny'."

"Momma? Who's Sonny?" asked Lacey, tugging on

Brenda's pant leg.

"He's Mommy's boss, and a friend of mine. Would

you like to meet him?" asked Brenda, her smile

widening.

"Yeah!"

"Can I go too, Mommy?" asked Shayna.

"You can both go. I want you to go change into

some pretty dresses. We're going to visit Sonny."

"Come on, girls. I'll help you." said Lois, a

soft smile on her face.

An hour later, Brenda and the girls arrived at

Sonny's penthouse. Brenda had gotten the address from

Lois. She was surprised to see a body guard outside

the door.

"Can I help you, Ma'am?"

"I'm here to see Sonny." said Brenda, a little

taken aback by the man's attitude.

"Just a moment. Your name?"

"B-b-b-Brenda." she stammered, wondering if it

had been a good idea to come over.

"Boss, there is a Brenda here to see you." said

Johnny.

"Let her in." said Sonny, his smile deepening to

show his dimples. "Hey, you."

"Hi. Thank you for the flowers and the

balloons. How did you know I liked lillies?"

"I have my ways. Tell me, who are these two

beautiful young ladies?"

"Sonny, I would like you to meet my daughters.

This is Shayna Michelle, and this is Lacey Jane." said

Brenda, smiling at him.

"It's nice to meet you. My name is Sonny

Corinthos. You are both very beautiful. I bet both

of you really like Sesame Street." said Sonny,

crouching down to where he was on their eye level.

"Elmo is my favorite." said Lacey, her eyes

lighting up.

"Big Bird is better." said Shayna, rolling her

eyes. Brenda laughed at her.

"I happen to have 3 extra tickets to Sesame

Street Live at the Port Charles Convention Center.

Could I interest you three lovely ladies into an

evening with Bert, Ernie, Elmo and Big Bird?"

Lacey and Shayna began jumping up and down,

excitedly begging Brenda to go. Brenda smiled

indulgently at her girls, nodding her approval. She

looked at Sonny, her eyes sparkling with laughter.

Sonny had gone right to the heart of her kids,

therefore, right to the heart of her.

Later on that evening, after the show and ice

cream, Sonny and Brenda carried a sleeping Lacey and

Shayna into the gatehouse. After tucking the girls in

for the night, Sonny and Brenda went outside. Sonny

rolled down the windows to his car and put on some

music.

"Care to dance?" he asked, holding out his hand.

Brenda drifted into Sonny's arms as the music

filled the night. She lay her head down on his chest

and listened to his heart beat. Sonny held her close,

careful not to pull her too close. The last thing he

wanted to do was frighten her.

"Thank you for doing this." said Brenda, pulling

away a little, and looking up at Sonny.

"Doing what? Dancing with you?" he asked, his

attention riveted to her lips.

"Dancing with me, spending the evening with the

girls, sending me flowers. Everything." replied

Brenda, the last word spoken in a whisper as Sonny's

lips got closer to hers.

"I told you, Brenda. You're special. I'm going

to make you see that." whispered Sonny, his lips

brushing hers.

Brenda gasped against the gentleness of his

lips. Sonny took the opportunity to sweep her mouth

with his questing tongue. Brenda answered with her

own tongue tasting him. Sonny deepened the kiss,

wanting all of her, wanting everything she had to

offer. Brenda moaned lightly as Sonny continued his

gentle assault on her lips. Brenda had never been

kissed the way Sonny was kissing her. Her entire body

was on fire from his kiss.

Sonny finally ended the kiss, pulling away

slightly and leaning his forehead against hers.

Brenda kept her eyes closed, reveling in the

sensations.

"I'm going to warn you now, Brenda. I'm going

to make you fall in love with me. I'm going to sweep

you off your feet and make you realize what a

wonderful woman you are. And then, I'm going to marry

you."

"I'm not getting married again, Sonny." replied

Brenda, hoarsely.

"We'll see about that. Just be prepared for

anything." said Sonny with a grin. He leaned down and

kissed her softly again before leaving. Brenda stood

there staring after his car, her fingers on her lips.

Lips that still burned from his kiss.

Chapter 4

"Are you sure you'll be ok if we all go, Bren?"

asked Lois one last time.

"I'll be fine. Go into the city. Have a fun

day. All the kids have been looking forward to going

to the zoo. I have the day off, and I'm going to pack

some stuff. We're going to move into the apartment

next week, and I want to get everything done." replied

Brenda with a smile.

Lois and Ned finally left with the kids. Brenda

had the entire day to herself. She planned on doing

nothing but packing.

Brenda had been packing for almost an hour when

the doorbell rang. Thinking it was Sonny, she bounded

down the stairs and threw open the door. Looking up,

she gasped at the site of James standing in the

doorway.

"James. What are you doing here?" asked Brenda,

frightened by the look on his face.

"I wanted to see you. You know I got fired

don't you? Thanks to that prick Ashton and his bitch

wife." said James, pushing his way into the gatehouse.

"James, Ned and Lois had nothing to do with you

getting fired. The negative publicity from our

divorce was enough to do that." said Brenda, silently

praying she could get him to leave.

"Shut up! Never did know when to keep your

mouth shut, stupid bitch!" yelled James, his words

slurring. Suddenly, his hand shot out and he

backhanded her. Brenda cried out and grabbed at her

cheek. "Why'd ya have to run here? I hope you know

that you are every bit of the whore your father said

you were."

"No, James. He was wrong about me. I know that

now. And the way you hit me was wrong too." said

Brenda, tears coursing down her cheeks.

"SHUT UP!!!!" screamed James, coming at her with

his fist doubled up.

James began pummeling her, his fists crashing

down again and again. Brenda curled herself into a

ball, praying that he wouldn't do to much damage.

From far away, Brenda heard the phone ringing. She

heard James knock it off the table as his foot landed

in her stomach again. Brenda cried out, hoping that

whoever was on the other end heard and would get there

before James finished the job this time.

Sonny sat in his chair looking down at the

phone. He was sure he had dialed the right number,

but he couldn't help hoping it was wrong. He knew

Brenda's voice well enough to know that it was her

scream he had heard. Slamming the phone down, Sonny

raced out of the club, praying he wasn't too late.

Sonny pulled up at the gatehouse and saw James'

car. He cursed and jumped out of the car, running to

the door. He pushed it open, and panic struck him by

what he saw. The living room was destroyed. Things

littered the floor, broken and bloodied. He looked

around frantically, finally finding Brenda laying

unconcious on the kitchen floor, James laying beside

her, dead.

Sonny picked up the phone and called an

ambulance, then the police. He wasn't sure what

exactly had happened, but he knew Brenda had acted in

self defense.

Two hours later, Sonny paced in the hall outside

intensive care. Lois came running down the hall, Ned

not far behind her. She saw Sonny, and immediately

went to him.

"What the hell happened, Sonny?"

"I called Brenda, I was gonna ask her out to

lunch. I heard the phone crash down, then I heard her

scream. I went over to see what the hell was going

on. Brenda was laying on the kitchen floor next to

her ex-husband. Her ex-husband is dead. I talked to

Monica, and they think Brenda is going to make it, but

they aren't sure."

Lois collapsed on the bench next to Sonny. She

felt tremendously guilty for leaving Brenda that

morning. She prayed that Brenda would be ok. She

didn't know if Shayna and Lacey could handle losing

their mother.

"Code blue, ICU4, Code blue, ICU4." came the

voice over the loud speaker. Sonny and Lois looked

up alarmed. That was Brenda's room. Lois sank to her

knees, sobbing as she saw the crash cart raced into

the room along with dozens of medical staff. Tears

flowed down her cheeks as she wondered if Brenda would live.

Chapter 5

Sonny and Lois looked up as the door to Brenda's

room opened, people coming out talking. Lois saw

Monica come out of the room last, and rushed over to

her.

"Monica! How is she? Is she ok?" asked Lois,

barely able to get the words out.

"She's doing as well as can be expected, Lois.

The code blue was a mistake. Brenda's monitors came

off when she sat up. She has a lot of injuries, but I

am fairly positive she is going to recover."

"Thank God! Can we see her?" asked Lois, pulling

Sonny over to her.

"Yes. Just don't stay too long." replied Monica.

Sonny and Lois walked into Brenda's room quietly.

It was all either of them could do to keep from

bursting into tears at the sight of her. Brenda's

right eye was swollen shut, her left was bruised and

red. Her bottom lip was swollen, there were stitches

in three different places on her face. Her left hand

was in a cast, her right hand wrapped in a bandage.

She opened the eye that wasn't swollen shut and smiled

as much as she could at her two best friends.

Lois walked over to the bed and took her hand,

unable to keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks.

Sonny walked up to the other side of the bed, letting

his hand rest on the top of her head.

"I understand I have you to thank for getting me

here." said Brenda, looking up at Sonny. Her voice

was barely a whisper, and Sonny could see the

handprints around her throat where James had tried to

strangle her.

"I got you here. I'm sorry I didn't get to the

house soon enough to keep this from happening." said

Sonny, his voice choked with emotion.

"If you hadn't called when you did, I probably

would've been dead, Sonny. When the phone rang, it

gave me a chance to get into the kitchen.

"Lo, where are the girls?" asked Brenda, her

eyes betraying her fear.

"I left them and my two in the city with Ma and

Pop. They'll be fine, Bren." said Lois, trying to be

reassuring.

"No. I want them back here. I know it's a lot

to ask of you. Please."

"They can stay with me, Brenda." offered Sonny,

quietly.

Brenda looked at Sonny, surprised. She hadn't

expected him to offer.

"Sonny, they'll disrupt your schedule, your

house, your entire life. That's not fair to you."

said Brenda, looking up at him.

"Sweetheart, I don't say things I don't mean.

Your girls are great, and they need to be with someone

they are familiar with. Lois is running ragged with

her two. I have all the time in the world. Please

let me do this for you." asked Sonny, his eyes

pleading. Brenda nodded, her eyes filling with tears.

"I'm gonna go back to the city and get the kids.

I have something to ask both of you before I leave

though." said Lois with a secretive smile. "Will you

be godparents to the baby?"

"What baby, Lo?" asked Sonny still distracted by

Brenda.

"The one I'm having in about 7 months."

"That's great, Lo!" said Brenda, smiling as much

as she could.

Two hours later, Lois, Lacey and Shayna were

ushered into the penthouse by Johnny. Lacey and

Shayna ran to Sonny, hugging him tight. Lois smiled

at the girls.

"Ok, Corinthos, they're all yours."

"Thanks, Lo." replied Sonny. "Come on, girls,

I'll show you where you're gonna be sleeping."

Lois watched as Sonny and the girls disappeared

upstairs. She couldn't help but think they looked so

right. The only thing missing was Brenda.

"Sonny, where is my Mommy?" asked Shayna, later

on that night as Sonny got them ready for bed.

"She's in the hospital, honey." replied Sonny,

not sure how much to tell her.

"My dad hit her again, didn't he?" asked Shayna,

tears coursing down her cheeks.

"Did he do that a lot?" asked Sonny, his voice

hoarse.

Shayna nodded her head, tears still streaming.

Sonny held her for a minute, trying to gain control

over his emotions.

"There's something else I need to tell you and

your sister. Is it ok if I tell you first?"

"Yes. I'm older, so I understand better than

Lacey." said Shayna, doing her best to look brave.

"Your dad isn't going to be around anymore.

He's dead, Shayna."

"I'm glad." said Shayna in a defiant voice. "He

was always mean. He hit Mommy all the time. And,

before we left he started to hit me too."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, Shayna.

Your Mommy never would've stayed if she had known that

your dad would hit you. Your mom loves you very

much."

"I love her too, Sonny. And I'm glad my dad

can't hurt her anymore. I'm really tired, Sonny."

"Come on. I'll tuck you and Lacey in. We'll

talk to Lacey about your dad in the morning."

Sonny took Shayna into the room he had

designated as theirs. He tucked both the girls in

bed, and turned off the light. It amazed him how much

the girls looked like Brenda. Looking at her

children, it was easy for him to realize that he was

in love with Brenda. He just had to find a way to

mend her heart.