A few years ago...
It should be raining. Spectacular weather didn't happen often in London, but today had to be one of those rare days. The last thing she wanted was for the sky to be relatively clear. At least a light breeze kept things a little chilled.
Alexia wanted a full out storm with torrential rain and flash flood warnings. Lightning and thunder shaking the walls would have also been appreciated. All physical manifestations of the turmoil churning in her.
The black Mercedes moved through traffic deftly. Matthew asked if she wanted the windows down since the weather was so nice. Alex shook her head and told him to drop the AC temperature in the car to the lowest. Cold. If only she could numb herself to everything. Although she was already shivering, Matthew complied.
They didn't talk during the hour drive out of London. Alexia had been grateful that Matthew didn't start a conversation. He just dutifully drove her to the estate her grandfather owned on the outskirt of London. She couldn't recall how they reached the estate, too lost in her thoughts by the time the car pulled into a perfectly manicured, white coral driveway.
She opened the car door and stepped out cautiously. The twinge of physical pain in her abdomen was nothing compared to her emotional and mental anguish. The pinch from her injury only reinforced her loss. Instinctively, her hand protectively settled over her flat stomach. Tears pooled in her eyes as she stopped walking.
"Alexia," Matt began softly, "you haven't cried yet. It would do you some good." His hand was at her elbow, offering a comforting embrace should she need it.
Blinking back her tears, Alexia gave a sad smile. "I'm trying to prolong my state of denial." She rasped.
Only a couple weeks ago she shed a layer of her depression, just enough to want to venture out of her grandfather's building. She had been in ICU for three weeks before in a stable enough condition to be moved to a private wing of the hospital. The moment she received the ok, Dane had her return to London.
Matthew thought a ghost inhabited the house. Since she had been in the hospital for almost six weeks, Alexia wasted away to almost nothing. The dark circles made her sad eyes look even bigger. Her coffee and cream complexion was devoid of its usual healthy glow. Instead, paleness to her color added to the appearance of her frailty.
Dane assigned someone with Alexia at all times. She refused to take medication and he worried she would try to hurt herself. He pushed for her to visit Blake and their son's graves in hopes that reality would start to sink in. The two had been buried on the estate where Alexia was now. It would be her first time visiting the graves.
"Then we'll walk slowly." Matt replied just as softly.
They took the scenic route, going through the gardens. Her favorite part of the whole estate was the gardens. It stretched on and on, having grown in size since Alex first told her grandfather how much she loved it when she was little. Her pace grew deliberately slower as they neared the huge marble headstones surrounded by fresh flowers.
The small hills of dirt had yet to settle, reminding the visitors of how recent the tragedy. Alexia stopped several feet away. Matthew patiently waited for her next move. He could tell she was reading the headstones, the names and dates. Her gaze lingered on the engraved cursive words written in French on her son's headstone.
"We love you." Alexia translated before she burst into tears.
Matt retreated quietly as Alexia sobbed and made her way to the graves. She didn't care how dirty she'd get as she dropped to her knees in the mounds of dirt. Her words tumbled out, forming not one coherent sentence. The words switched back and forth between Blake and Gabriel. Finally, she let out an anguished cry and just sobbed herself into exhaustion.
Awhile later, Matthew approached when Alexia's body stilled. He saw her draw in a shuddering breath. She looked up at him with swollen eyes still swimming in tears. He didn't like seeing her so completely devastated and a part of him was glad that no one had such a debilitating power over him. Well no one he'd admit to.
"It-" She began, her throat working to get the words out, "it still doesn't f-feel real." She drew in another unsteady breath. "O-only a part feels r-real. I can feel G-Gabriel's loss in m-my soul, but not Blake's. I should feel like h-he's gone. But I don't."
Kneeling, Matthew rubbed a hand over Alexia's back. "They're both gone, Alexia. I'm sorry." He couldn't sympathize. He hadn't grown an attachment to the unborn child and he sure as hell wasn't fond of Blake. All he could offer was what little empathy he could fake.
---
Alexia stayed at the estate for a couple months. She found it therapeutic to visit the graves and speak with Blake and Gabriel. She heard from her grandfather that Gabriel had jet black hair, and light eyes. He probably would have looked just like his father.
At first, she had been angry with Blake, but when all that anger was spent, she was overwhelmed with how much she still loved him and missed him. She planted flowers near the graves and told stories of her youth. Sometimes she'd tell the two about her day or the wishful dreams she had about the three of them as a family.
"The doctors say I am unable to have any children." Alexia whispered to Blake as she yanked out the newly sprouting weeds. There were gardeners and staff for that, but she liked doing it herself. "I don't mind though. I can't imagine having anyone else's child."
Alexia was silent again as she worked to pull out all the little weeds and then went to planting some miniature pink roses. She felt herself smile. "I know it's not very manly, but they're so beautiful." She explained to Blake and Gabriel as if Blake asked why she planted pink roses beside their graves.
She still couldn't believe Blake was gone as well. Her soul still ached for the loss of their son, but she couldn't bring herself to accept Blake's death.
When she had been stabbed, she vaguely remembered voices, horns honking, and lights flashing in and out above her. Then the beeping of machines. She remembered being hooked up to all these tubes. The doctor checked in on her and told her to get some rest. She wanted to ask about her baby, but the solemn look on his face told her everything.
Her first visitors were her grandfather and Matthew. He told her about the funeral arrangements he made for Gabriel. Then his voice trailed off and he looked to Matthew. Her grandfather always had Matt tell the bad news. As Dane moved to leave the room, Matthew pulled a seat beside Alexia's bed.
"Blake went looking for Richardson's partners." He started with. Alex blinked and felt her stomach drop. She already knew where this headed. "He found one of the guys...but he walked into a trap."
"No." Alexia started to shake her head. She was too weak to shout. "No. He can't be dead, too. I don't believe you."
Matt continued. "We did a DNA test on the body we found and it most definitely is Blake, Alexia. I'm so sorry. Your grandfather will have Blake buried beside Gabriel. His body was unrecognizable. It would be best you don't see it."
She called Matthew a liar and told him to get out. Her sudden movement to grab something, anything, to hurl at him pulled some of the needles out. The machines started to alarm and her heart rate shot up.
Nurses rushed into the room and shoved Matthew out. They tried to calm Alexia down, but she fought them off. Her screams drowned out the furious beeping from the machines. A sedative was injected to one of her many tubes and Alex was out in the next few moments.
When she woke up again, she didn't feel anything. Living in denial was so much easier. With her grandfather insistent on her to move back in with him, she went on living in denial. She reveled in her deep depression. Every single time her grandfather mentioned a visit to the graves, Alexia pretended not to hear him.
She wasn't certain why she changed her mind that one day. Her grandfather hinted again and she agreed to go. Now she didn't want to return to London. She didn't want to go anywhere.
---
A year passed without much notice. The pain had receded to a dull ache. There was restlessness in her now. So many places she wanted to see and things she wanted to do. Life was too short to keep putting it all off. When her traveling ended, she wanted to do something useful. She needed to be useful to someone, even just one person.
After a few months of planning, Alexia was off to France. She had been all over Europe before, but tended to stay in the cities. She wanted to visit the country side where Blake grew up. Every place listed in his file, she visited for at least a few weeks.
Her grandfather fought with her about sending someone along, but she needed this for herself. She told him so and he had reluctantly agreed. Still, she called to check in every day. By the time another year-and-a-quarter passed, Alexia visited all the places listed except for one. She'd returned to England to visit Blake and Gabriel's graves again before she'd head to Cabo San Lucas for a couple months. She read that it was Blake's favorite place to vacation.
She spent a week at her grandfather's rural estate outside of London. Originally she planned for only a few days, but she missed talking to Blake and Gabriel during her fifteen-month-long sojourn throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The night before her departure, Matthew offered to cook. However, he avoided all of her questions.
"I was only curious. I don't mind talking about it now, Matt. Did I upset you? I'm sorry." Alexia murmured as she followed him from the kitchen to the dining room.
Alexia wanted to help, but he wouldn't let her. So she stood by and watched. Shortly after, she began to ask a small question here and there until it became questions about what happened more than two years ago.
"I'm not upset. I just don't know why you are suddenly so curious about it." Matt frowned as he placed the baked seafood salad down. He didn't want to answer any questions about that night. It was best to leave it alone.
Alexia gave a winsome smile. "I've been thinking a lot during the past year. Before you start in on some smart ass comment, I thought a lot before then too." She caught a brief smile touch his lips. "During my time away, I've been coming to terms with Gabriel and Blake's deaths. Things are a blur to me of that night and I just wanted to know. So I can lay it all to rest now."
Matthew let out a breath and turned to Alex. He crossed his arms before speaking. "Well...you were being stubborn as usual-"
"I'm sorry. I have gotten better about that, haven't I?"
"Yes, except you still like to interrupt me." He said lightly. Alex gave another apologetic smile before she promised not to interrupt again. "I went to the airport to pick up your grandfather. In hindsight, I should have just stayed with you until Mr. Jensen had gotten back. So I left you alone, assuming Mr. Jensen was to return shortly. I had been banking on hiding right under your enemy's nose to be the best tactic, but have since then changed my mind on that."
Matthew walked back into the kitchen and Alexia followed along. "When we returned, a gun had been fired and I rushed to see what happened. Mr. Jensen was about to pull the trigger, but I did so first and shot Richardson dead. You were in the kitchen bleeding to death. We rushed you to the hospital. They couldn't save your son, but they saved you."
Alexia tried to remember it all. Nope. Still fuzzy. "You said Kaleb was fine." She recalled asking about Kaleb's welfare and thankfully he had been uninjured. Before she got to speak with him again, he returned home. Alexia, too gone in her grief, didn't think to bother Kaleb again.
Matt nodded his head. "Yes, he jumped back in time. He told me that you warned him a split second before and that saved his life."
With a wry smile, Alex shook her head. "It's my fault he almost got shot." There were many things she thought about in since then. So naïve and selfish. A wake-up call to what a juvenile brat she had been. Regardless of the fact that she donated money to worthy charities and did volunteer work, she was far from selfless and mature. Since that realization, she tried her best to change. After her two months in Cabo, she planned to throw herself into charitable works. Maybe she'd finish med school and join the Peace Corp. or Doctors without Borders.
"True. But a part of life is living with regret and trying not to be suffocated by what ifs." Matthew pointed out. He dropped a small kiss on the top of Alex's head. "Don't think about those what ifs. There's nothing you can do about them." He warned.
Aware of the gravity of the situation, Alexia playfully scrunched her nose at Matt. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
With a laugh, Kaleb grabbed his squealing sister. She had been running around the house and daring him to catch her. The door bell rang and she yelled that she got it. He didn't like her opening the front door, so he rushed over and snatched her up. Laughing when he opened the door, he had not expected to find Miss Alexia Whitt standing there.
Alex was surprised, but she smiled brightly. "Hello." She said to the two who looked over with curious expressions. "Sorry, is this a bad time?"
"Hi, I'm Willow. Tell her come in." She jabbed her brother in the ribs.
Although Willow just made nine, she was already very bossy. Kaleb didn't mind so much. He adored his little sister. He also didn't want to admit that he spoiled her too much. While he tried to wrap his mind around Alexia Whitt being there, Willow dragged Alexia in.
"Sorry, come in. I wasn't expecting to have you here." He said quickly as he closed the door behind Alexia, keeping the cold outside.
After removing her shoes and putting it on the rack beside the other footwear, Alex smiled at Willow who said she was very beautiful. "Thank you, sweetie. I'm a friend of your father's. My name is Alexia. And you're probably going to be ten times more beautiful than me when you grow up. Your daddy is going to have to beat the boys away."
Kaleb cringed. Not because of the father statement, but because Willow truly was going to make heads turn when she grew up. Half Tahitian and half French, she inherited the best genes from both sides. With her brown curls, golden skin, and cat like green eyes, Kaleb was dreading the day Willow wouldn't think that all boys were gross. Relief filled him to see Willow's face screw up.
"I don't like boys. They're so yucky." Willow informed Alexia.
Kaleb chuckled. "That's right. They don't get much better either."
"And Kaleb isn't my dad. He's my brother. The best brother in the whole world." Willow beamed a smile of obvious adoration over at him.
The scene touched Alexia. Although an older brother, Kaleb played the fatherly role very well.
"He'll still have to beat boys away with a stick when you grow up." Alex laughed as she followed the two into a very homey living room. Willow bounded off to the kitchen after announcing she was thirsty.
"So uh...what brings you here?" Kaleb asked when Alexia took a seat.
Alexia still smiled as she watched Willow run off. That was definitely a well-loved and happy child. It only made her wonder what Gabriel would have been like around that age. Kaleb's question brought her out of her thoughts.
Her warm, brown eyes settled on him. "I never got to thank you for all your help and it was inconsiderate of me to have waited this long. Thank you for everything you did for me, Kaleb."
Certain he'd never see her again, he sat there shock. Something about long overdue words of gratitude. He wouldn't have held it against her if she just sent a belated thank you card or email or even nothing at all. But here Miss Alexia Whitt was. In the flesh.
"Jesus. You came all this way to say thank you?" He tried to lighten the mood with a laugh. "It's fine, Alexia. You didn't have to go out of your way for that and like I told you back then, I was getting paid for it." Kaleb doubted Alexia knew about his added bonus courtesy of her grandfather.
"And I do remember you saying that you're not good with compliments and it seems with thank you's as well." She pointed out softly to which Kaleb laughed again. Her attention then went to her bag as she dug around for her card. "If there's anything I can do to help, I just wanted you to know that you can always call on me."
Kaleb took the offered card, her hand so soft and warm. He always wondered how soft she was and if she was soft like that all over. Alexia didn't seem as affected by their contact as he. A loud crash in the kitchen followed by an equally loud 'uh-oh,' got both their attention.
He was on his feet and in the kitchen in less than a minute. Alexia followed and he stopped her from walking right into a chocolate milk warzone. Willow had the decency to look guilty as she stood in the middle of the giant puddle.
"It slipped!" She insisted before Kaleb could say anything. "The carton had condensation."
Alexia giggled when Kaleb shook his head.
"Condensation. Where did you learn that word from?" He asked in amusement.
Willow gave a smile now that she knew Kaleb wasn't angry with her. "From school. The windows get sweaty and our teacher told us it's called condensation."
He turned to Alexia. "Sorry, you can wait in the living room if you want. We'll get this cleaned up. You," he pointed at Willow who blinked at him innocently, "you stay there. Don't move."
Expecting Alexia to go take a seat, Kaleb headed down the hallway to grab some towels, a mop and two buckets. When he returned to the kitchen, Alexia had taken off her socks and sweater and rolled up her pants to her knees. It was pathetic really that he thought she had the cutest toes he'd ever seen. Maybe not so pathetic since Willow thought so as well.
"Oh those are so cute!" She pointed at the rhinestones on Alexia's toenails.
Alex cringed. "Yeah, my friend, Clara, took me out to a spa day before I left London." It had been what Clara called 'the first step to forgiveness'. So depressed, Alexia ignored her good friend at every turn. She was making amends now. Although Alex hadn't wanted to do a spa day, Clara demanded. "We got matching pink flowers."
"Kaleb, can I get something like that? Please."
Kaleb snorted and then raised a brow. "You emptied the entire gallon of chocolate milk onto the floor and you want me to bring you to get your nails done?"
"Yes?"
Alexia easily intervened. "I can bring you if you'd like. I'm going on a trip for a couple months and I'll need a girl day after that. We can have a girl day when I get back if you want to."
"Two months!" Willow burst out and then quickly apologized after her brother started in with her first and middle name. "I didn't mean it like that, Kaleb. Just...two months?" She repeated as if she had been told a whole year.
Alexia laughed and touched Kaleb's arm before he could scold his sister. "No, its okay. She's right. Two months is a long time. How about three weeks? Will three weeks be okay?" She asked.
Willow looked over at Kaleb worriedly. He didn't seem too upset, so she accepted. "If that's okay with you..."
"It is more than okay with me, sweetie." Alexia assured her new friend. "Now, we should get this cleaned up before your brother says we can't go."
Kaleb cracked a smile. "That's right."
So Alex grabbed the towels from Kaleb and tossed one to Willow who quickly went to cleaning up. Alexia wiped up what Willow missed while Kaleb kept insisting she let him do it. With a laugh, she had replied that he could do the mopping to make sure the floors weren't sticky. They put the chocolate milk drenched towels into the buckets and Willow showed Alex to the wash room. Kaleb filled his bucket up halfway with hot water and he added some Pine-Sol.
Willow and Alexia passed Kaleb in the hallway on his way to the bathroom to empty out the dirty water into the tub. When Kaleb joined the two females back in the kitchen, Willow sat on the counter as Alex puttered around in the kitchen.
"I hope you don't mind me using your kitchen. I offered to make some hot chocolate and I'm pretty sure you don't want Willow working the stove." She told Kaleb.
He looked on the counter where she laid out the sugar, Nesquik, and regular milk. "I don't mind. I just feel bad that you helped clean up and now you're making my baby sister some hot chocolate. I'm the host here."
"And I'm an unexpected guest. I can make some hot chocolate for you too. Do you have evaporated milk?"
Kaleb figured it would be easier not to fight with her. "Yes, we have some." He went over to the cabinet and pulled out a couple cans. "I've never had hot chocolate with evaporated milk."
Alexia looked over her at Kaleb as she washed out a big pot. "Then you are missing out. My nanny used to make this for me all the time."
"Nanny? Is that like a babysitter? I have a babysitter when Kaleb has to leave for work. She's really nice." Willow glanced at Kaleb and cupped her hands over her mouth. "She lets me eat candy and sleep late." She whispered to Alexia.
Alexia's mouth curved into a smile. "My nanny let me do that, too." They both giggled. "Now, I'm going to teach you the hot chocolate secret recipe. When you get old enough to use a stove, you should make this. It can get pretty chilly up here in Lakeview. I grew up in Northern Spain and the nights were cold."
"You don't have an accent." Kaleb noted as he handed her a can opener.
Alex placed the partially water-filled pot on the stove and turned the dial. She took the can opener. "Thank you. Well, I used to live in New York up until I was five. My nanny was American and she moved with us between America and Spain. She had a hard time learning Spanish and she couldn't understand the accents so well either, so even though I learned Spanish, I had the most American English accent in all of Santander. I pick up on languages and accents easily. When I'm in England for more than a month, I'll sound like a total Brit." She laughed.
Willow tilted her head. "Kaleb makes me learn French and Tahitian because he says I should know my heritage. I'm adopted."
"Really? Me too!" Alexia said with a big smile over at Willow. "My grandpa adopted me. Not quite the same thing, but close." She handed a measuring cup, a bowl and the chocolate powder to Willow. "You'll be my little helper okay?"
Kaleb watched as the two worked in the kitchen together. Willow had fun measuring the sugar and Nesquik. He was eventually recruited to help pour the milk into the measuring cup Willow held. Alexia told him to watch out for the condensation and although Willow was young, she was sharp. She scolded them for making fun of her.
By the time the hot chocolate finished, Willow hopped around in excitement. Kaleb had to admit that it did smell pretty good. They got out the marshmallows and whipped cream. While Alexia and Willow put a mountain of whipped cream on theirs, Kaleb just opted for a couple marshmallows. Having Alexia around wouldn't be so bad. He hoped.
---
Current day...
Kaleb returned to his rented room in a daze. He didn't expect Alexia to jump at him the moment he entered. Pasting a smile on, he hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.
"I thought you were going to be out shopping all day."
Wrinkling her nose, Alex shook her head. "The heat was killing me. I've grown spoiled up in Oregon. I just talked to Willow. She isn't too fond of camping."
Although Alex only lived in Lakeview for three months, she had quickly acclimated to the cool weather. When she got back from Cabo, she fulfilled her promise of a girls'-day-out with Willow. A week stay turned into two weeks and then three weeks until Willow cried that she didn't want Alexia to leave. The house next to Kaleb's went up for sale and Alex took it as a sign to relocate to Oregon. Honestly, they were at each other's houses so often that it would have been practical to just live in one house.
About a month ago, Kaleb asked Alexia out on a date. Their dates usually involved Willow since the little girl had a knack for inviting herself along, but on the several occasions Kaleb and Alexia were alone, they found that they really clicked. Alex asked to go along with Kaleb to Las Vegas for the long weekend while Willow went on a school trip. They both knew that Alexia's decision to follow Kaleb meant she was ready to take their relationship to the next level.
With a small laugh, Kaleb made his way over to the desk. He dropped his briefcase and then took a seat. Alex immediately perched herself on his lap and looped her arms around his neck.
"So, how did the meeting go? You look exhausted." Alexia frowned.
Kaleb didn't want to tell Alexia about Blake. He wasn't positive that he wouldn't lose her. "It went pretty well. I think I can find this guy Mr. Greene is looking for."
"Isn't this more bounty hunting than you're used to?"
A sigh. "Just a bit. Really, I'm just doing some digging and Mr. Greene will send someone to deal with the perp."
"Perp?" Alex repeated, on the verge of giggles.
Kaleb raised a brow and rested his hands on her hips. "What's wrong with saying perp?"
Shaking her head, Alex dropped her voice to playful seductiveness. "Oh nothing. I like when you get all PI lingo on me."
"Well, I am more than happy to oblige, ma'am." Kaleb grinned before he pulled Alexia closer and kissed her softly on the lips.
Alexia purred as she wiggled in Kaleb's lap. They had gotten into heavy petting before and went just a bit farther a few days ago. She hoped that they could go all the way on this trip.
Their kiss grew deeper. Kaleb cupped Alex's cheek with one hand, her front pressed to his chest. He swallowed her sigh when his other hand slipped under her shirt to skim over her smooth skin. When he broke the kiss, Alexia's lips were wet and kiss swollen.
"Want to order room service?" She whispered, her fingers gently pulling the hair at the nape of his neck.
Kaleb knew what that meant and damn did he want to. He really hated himself for being such a good guy. "Alex," Kaleb began, "there's something I have to tell you."
By Kaleb's long exhale, Alexia knew the news bothered him. "Alright. What's wrong?"
The concern on her face squeezed at Kaleb's heart. "What are your feelings towards Blake?"
"I'm not sure what you mean." Alexia's brows drew together in confusion. "It's been three years since I lost him. I think I've finally laid the past to rest though. I wouldn't have agreed to go out on a date if I was still mourning him." She and Kaleb had spent many late nights talking about the hardships of their pasts.
Kaleb felt little relief. "If it turned out that Blake is still alive...would you go back to him?"
"I-" She paused and decided to be honest. "I don't know."
"Am I the reason for your indecision?"
Frustration started to build. "Yes...no, I don't know. I'm involved with you and Willow now. Who is to say if Blake was still alive that he'd be the same person I knew from three years ago? Kaleb, I don't understand why you're asking me this. What happened today?"
He forced the words out. "Blake isn't dead, Alexia. I bumped into him today at Peter Greene's office. He thought you were the one dead this whole time."
A pained cry ripped itself from her throat. She covered her hands over her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. She didn't doubt Kaleb's words and she already knew who was responsible.
---
Clara got off the phone and put her hands on her hips. She looked over at her husband as he gave her a blank expression. With narrowed eyes, she stood in front of him.
"That was Alexia. She's distraught at what you did."
He kept his expression blasé. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean. She's always upset at me for something or another."
In the twelve years they had been married, Clara knew how to read her husband. "Don't you dare start with that, Matt."
With a shake of his head, Matthew motioned over at the chair across of him. His gorgeous wife took a seat and crossed her arms over her chest. He really did love Clara. Since the first day they met twelve years ago, he knew she was the one. He asked her out although it was against all protocols and they eloped three weeks later.
Unfortunately, business made it so they had to keep their marriage a secret. When Clara went on her scheduled vacations, Matt would conveniently be gone as well. It was a surprise no one figured it out before. Seeing as Clara's decision to retire next month would allow them to be more open with their relationship, Matt didn't bother with being discreet anymore.
Matt reached over for Clara's hand and she reluctantly let him press his lips to the back of her fingers. "I don't know what she's mad about this time. Honest." Although Alex had been trying to call him for the past hour, he was on vacation with his wife damn it. They hardly saw each other through the year and Hell if he was going to get dragged back to work.
"Kaleb met Blake by accident and Alexia knows." Clara said. "I can't believe you didn't tell me Blake is alive."
Great. Now he had a wife a pissed off at him because he not only withheld information from her, but also hurt her best friend. He didn't even want to think about how furious Alexia would be. "I knew I should have killed the bastard when I had the chance."
Pulling her hand from his, Clara smacked him hard. "Don't even go there. Why?"
"When Alexia was in the hospital, Dane swore that he wasn't letting Blake near her again. We both agreed that those two were too dangerous together. It was either kill Blake or make him go away. I told Blake that Alex and the baby were dead so he didn't try to look for them. Then I told Alexia that we found Blake's body. If she knew he was still alive, she would have spent her entire life looking for him."
Clara locked gazes with Matthew. "If two people are meant to be together, the universe will find a way to get them to each other. You and Dane think you can play gods over people's lives. When Gabriel died, Alex needed someone. She needed Blake. And now it's heartache all over again."
"That was not our intention. How were we supposed to know they'd find out about the other?" He held his hand up quickly to stop Clara. "Yes, I know. Fate set in motion." His wife always was the closet romantic. "What do you want me to do?"
"Nothing!" She exclaimed. "Don't do anything. If Blake and Alexia get back together, leave them alone."
Matthew reached for his cell to make a call. "I'll try to reason with Dane, but I can't make any guarantees." He dialed the number and waited. "Where do we stand?" He asked Clara.
Her reply told him exactly where he'd be spending the night. "The couch doesn't look too uncomfortable."
---
Peter saw how distracted Blake was and told him to take a couple days off. Since Blake never took vacation or had a sick day, Peter wouldn't fuss over it. And Blake didn't argue. No questions, just the way Blake preferred. Even the usually nosy and opinionated Gutierrez kept his mouth shut.
The drive home blurred into the space between the discovery of Alexia being alive and him staring at the picture of her he kept in his home office. Mixed feelings churned in his chest. At one point, it felt difficult to breathe.
His cell buzzing on the counter caught his attention. A new text. Flipping the phone open, a pang of shame assaulted him when he realized it came from Piper.
Waiting for my connecting flight. Hope you had a good day at work. See you in a few days. J
Blake's hand closed around his phone tightly. He inhaled deeply before typing out a text to Piper. No sooner did he type out the text that he deleted it and called her instead.
Her cheerful answer added to his growing guilt. "Hey, Blake. I wasn't expecting for you to return my text with a call. What's up?"
"Piper, we need to talk about last night and I don't think it can wait until you're back."
Blake could hear all the background noise, but Piper remained quiet for a few moments.
"Okay. What about last night did you want to talk about?" She finally spoke.
He really didn't want to hurt her. "You know there can't be anything between us right?"
"Blake...we agreed that I'd only take what you're willing to give." Her attempt at nonchalance didn't fool either of them.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you, but there isn't and won't ever be anything more than friendship between us, Piper. What happened last night won't happen again."
He heard the way her voice hitched when she replied. "I completely understand." She was quiet again and Blake wanted her to be the first to hang up. "Is it because of her? Alexia?"
Blake owed her the truth. "Yes. I found out today that she's alive. I'm sorry-"
Piper interrupted. "Oh please don't apologize, Blake. You love her and you'll always love her. If anything, I should think that's romantic."
"Piper," He said softly, "you'll find someone for you one day."
Her throat hurt from keeping herself from crying. "I hope someday soon before I lose my looks. Otherwise, there'd be no hope in me snagging a guy."
Blake's shame intensified at Piper's effort to cheer him up. "That's not true. You're a wonderful woman, Piper Amanda Greene. Any man would be lucky to have you."
"But not you." She whispered. "I don't think I'll be seeing you in a few days after all. Goodbye, Blake."
"Goodbye, Piper."
After she hung up, Blake carefully placed his cell phone down. A pounding headache developed in that eight-minute conversation. Although still early in the evening, Blake popped a couple of Motrin pills and lay awake in bed until he at last fell asleep the next morning.
---
Alexia wished she had more time. Since they promised Willow they would pick her up from school the next day, tonight was the only chance she had to meet with Blake. Kaleb set up the arrangements as Alexia didn't trust herself talking to Blake just yet. While Kaleb spoke to Blake, she made the reservations at Pinot Brasserie for a table in the corner.
After they got dressed, they decided to walk down the strip to the restaurant. When they reached the entrance of the place, Kaleb stopped walking. Alexia looked up and knew why he stood there.
"I should let the both of you have some privacy." Kaleb forced a smile. "You look beautiful, as usual."
Alex's brows drew together as she thought of what to say. "Kaleb, I don't know what will happen tonight-"
"It's okay, Alexia." He cut in. "I'll see you in a bit."
They both heard the uncertainty in his voice. Alexia wasn't so sure herself, but she nodded. "Yes. I'll see you in a little bit."
An awkwardly silent moment passed before Alexia turned and went into the restaurant and asked for her table. She glanced behind and saw Kaleb still standing there. He gave her a reassuring smile and waved before he took a step back.
"Ms. Whitt, I have you down for a reservation of three. We have someone from your party already seated."
Alexia's attention immediately went back to the hostess. "There will only be two of us dining tonight." She found herself replying. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as the hostess motioned over for one of the waiters to show Alexia to her table.
Skin prickling in awareness, Alexia followed the waiter to a shadowed corner. Someone stood as she approached. Her palms felt damp as the man went around the table to pull her seat back for her.
Stopping in front of Blake, Alexia found herself gazing up into those beautiful green eyes that haunted her in the years passed. Memories flooded back and her eyes began to itch.
"Blake." She whispered.
He looked so familiar and yet not. There were more lines on his face. He didn't look as easy going as he had three years ago. His eyes held a hint of hardness. Still...she remembered those eyes filled with so much tenderness and intensity.
"Ça fait un moment. Tu m'as manqué." Blake saw a mix of emotions cross her face. She looked well, albeit smaller than he remembered.
"It has been awhile." She agreed. "I've missed you, too." After taking her seat and receiving a menu from the waiter, they were left alone.
Reaching across the table, Blake took her hand. She was still as warm as he remembered, still as lovely. Her chocolate eyes softened and she squeezed his hand.
"There is much to talk about. Je ne sais pas where to start." His accent thick, emotion filled.
"Then I'll start." Alexia inhaled a shaky breath. "When you left...Richardson found me. I was there alone. I threw a fit about going with Matthew to the airport to pick up my grandfather. Richardson grabbed me and thought you were hiding somewhere. Kaleb returned and we all got into a fight." She paused. "I was stabbed in the stomach. The doctors say I can't have children. I was so stupid, Blake. It's my fault Gabriel died."
Blake shook his head. "No, Alexia. That is not your fault. Richardson would have killed you either way. I should have been there. I went to empty one of my accounts. I thought we could elope."
Another waiter returned to their table to ask if they wanted anything to drink. Alexia let Blake pick out a wine and they returned to their conversation.
"Matthew told me you were killed."
"Matthew told me you and Gabriel were killed." Blake gave a humorless smile.
Her fingers tightened around Blake's. "And that is the story of what happened. What have you been up to?"
"I made my way to Las Vegas on a lead for one of Richardson's partners. I needed a job and I got one bounty hunting for Peter Greene. I've been looking for Theodore Mills and Nguyen Le." Richardson's other partners had already been caught.
"Blake," Alexia began, "none of Richardson's partners are alive. My grandfather made sure of that." Usually her grandfather gathered enough information on people to get them convicted for multiple life sentences, but not this time.
Blake shook his head. "No, Mills and Nguyen are still out there. I've been following trails..." Then it clicked. "I've been getting false leads." It made sense that Dane would blame Blake for everything that happened. He'd probably have Blake chasing false leads for the rest of his life. And here Blake thought that not touching any of his other accounts kept Dane from finding him.
"It must have been my grandfather and Matthew." Alexia confirmed Blake's thoughts. "I'm so sorry. Had I known you were alive-"
"I know, Alexia. Me too."
The waiter was back again with their wine. Releasing each other's hand, Alexia and Blake pulled back to their sides of the table as the waiter poured the wine. Looking between the two, the waiter asked if they were ready to order. Neither had an appetite, but they ordered their dishes so the waiter would leave.
"What about you, Alexia?" Questions swamped his brain. He wanted to know everything. His anger at Dane and Matthew was barely held in check. He thought of Alexia waking up alone in the hospital to be told that Gabriel was dead. Blake should have been there to comfort Alexia. But then she was told that he died as well.
"My grandfather had me move back to London. I never left the house for months. I didn't want to be part of the world anymore. He sent me to live in the country where yours and Gabriel's graves were at. It's a bit morbid to think of your grave when you're sitting in front of me. Being there helped me. Healed me. I spent hours out at the graves and then I went traveling to all the places listed in your portfolio." Alexia admitted. "It made me feel closer to you like I understood you better."
Blake frowned slightly. "Where does Kaleb fit into all of this?"
Alex swallowed. "After I went on my trips, I paid him a visit to thank him for helping me find you. I met his baby sister and I grew attached to her." Matthew told Alexia that after Gabriel's death, Alexia's need to be a mother to someone was stronger than ever. "Three months ago, I moved to be closer to them and a couple months after that, Kaleb and I started dating."
"Run away with me, Alexia." Blake said suddenly. "I have other accounts and investments. We can run away to anywhere you want. If you want children, we can adopt."
Her heart sank. "I'm sorry, Blake. I can't. I have a little girl who trusts me to be there for her. There are other people involved who would get hurt. It isn't just about me and you anymore. I need time to think about this. I need-" Alexia was interrupted as her cell started to buzz. She reached into her bag to put her phone on silent when she recognized the number. "Excuse me, I have to take this."
Blake stood when Alexia did as she excused herself from the table. She left for the lobby so she could take the call. He sat back down and wondered how the hell he was going to win her back. Her words sounded strained as if she forced them out. As if it was what she felt obligated to say even though she might feel differently deep down.
Shortly after, Alexia arrived back at the table. She looked panicked. Blake rose from his seat and reached for Alex, but she stepped out of his reach as contact would push her over the edge. He dropped his hand.
"What's wrong?" He asked instead.
"It's my grandfather. He had a heart attack. I think he found out we know about each other." She tried to joke, but almost choked on a sob.
Explaining to the waiter that something urgent happened, Blake paid for their uneaten meal and then he and Alexia exited. "I'll get you to the airport." He recalled she carried her passport with her wherever she went.
"It's alright, I'll catch a cab there, I um..."
They reached outside and Alexia spotted the line of available taxis out in front. Blake took Alexia's hand and pulled her to him. She tensed before hugging him back desperately. They stood there holding each other for a long time.
"I love you, Alexia." Blake whispered into her hair.
She pulled away. "I need to go, Blake." There were things she needed to see to and get done before she did anything about Blake.
Before he could stop her, Alexia rushed to the line of cabs waiting and got into the first available car. She made a call to Kaleb and forced herself not to turn around to look at Blake.
---
"Willow's finally asleep." Kaleb said when he entered the living room. With Alexia gone for a week to see her ill grandfather, Willow had missed Alexia and stayed up way pass her bedtime to celebrate Alexia's return.
"Kaleb, we didn't have a chance to talk about Blake." She decided to get right into it.
Taking a seat across of Alexia, Kaleb exhaled. "I know. Alexia before you say anything, I want you to know that whatever your decision, I support you."
Alex gave a weak laugh. "Why are you such a nice guy?"
"That's how my parents raised me. I also already talked with Willow about it. She says you should follow your heart. She's a smart girl."
A soft smile touched Alexia's lips. "She has a wonderful person raising her."
They settled into silence and it was Kaleb who broke the tense quiet. "Go to him, Alexia. You still love him."
Her chin trembled. "I'm so sorry, Kaleb." She sat beside her grandfather's bed for that week and kept thinking how she wouldn't be able to live if she lost Blake again. She just couldn't lose him again. But she needed to bring closure between her and Kaleb before she went to Blake.
"Don't be sorry. We can't help who we love." His voice hinted that the same problem afflicted him. "So what are you going to do now?"
"Go back to Nevada. Beg Blake to take me back. Apologize for leaving and being so uncertain."
Kaleb frowned at her plans. Didn't she know? "Alexia...Blake isn't in Nevada anymore. I talked to Peter Greene a couple days ago for business and he mentioned that Blake resigned and left Las Vegas."
Alexia's brows drew together. "Really?" Well, she would just have to find him then. Even if that meant getting her grandfather and Matthew to tell her where Blake went.
"Do you want me to find him for you?"
She looked over at Kaleb and shook her head. "I couldn't ask that of you." Kaleb truly was such a nice guy. "I have to make some traveling plans it seems. I'm going to keep my cell number the same in case you or Willow want to call and I'd love it if I can come and visit you two sometime." She added hesitantly as she rose.
"You're always welcomed here, Alexia." Kaleb assured her as he stood to walk her back to her place next door. "Not to mention, Willow would demand you visit all the time for your girls'-day-out."
She laughed her first real laugh in days. "That's true."
---
Splashing cool water on his face, Blake enjoyed the refreshing jolt. He wiped his face with a clean towel and then tossed it onto the porch. Outside, he worked on fixing up the country home his mother left to him. Since Dane and Matthew already knew his whereabouts, Blake cashed in some of his investments and headed to Quincy, France. He still remembered the trips to Annecy that he took with his mother. His mother adored Annecy, the place of her birth and childhood.
Alexia said she needed time to think and after four days of nothing, Blake wondered if she would ever come back. He needed his own time of reflection and healing. When he thought Alexia and Gabriel were both dead, he didn't let the wounds heal. The pain kept him going on his vendetta. This was the best place for him to start his healing.
A rental car pulled into his driveway and he shook his head. Probably some lost tourists. He started towards the car and the door flew open. His heart started to thump faster as he spotted glossy black hair. His feet moved faster on the gravel. She turned to look at him and her brilliant smile made his heart ache.
"Blake!" Alexia cried and rushed towards him, leaving her car running and the door open.
Their bodies slammed in contact, neither had slowed soon enough to prevent it. His fingers laced through her hair and her arms wrapped around him tightly. Her bottom lip trembled, trapped between laughing and crying.
"I drove pass Quincy twice! The stupid GPS wasn't worth what they charged me." She blubbered.
Happiness bubbled up in Blake. He laughed until his cheeks were wet. Alexia's hands wiped at his hot tears before she cupped his face and she pulled him down for a kiss. The moment their lips touched, he felt whole once more. Having Alexia in his arms again was paradise to him.
A long moment later, Blake broke the kiss and cradled Alexia's beautiful face in his hands. "How did you find me?"
"I made my grandfather make Matthew tell me where you went." She said breathlessly. Her heart was going to beat out of her chest. "I love you, Blake. I've always loved you. I had to end things with Kaleb before it was right for me to tell you that I love you. I love you so much."
"Moi aussi, je t'aime. More than you'll ever know." He replied and picked her up, making Alexia squeak in surprise.
Carrying her to the house, he kissed her briefly to silence her words about leaving the car like that. He didn't give a damn about the car. All he wanted was the both of them naked and in bed. He wasn't letting her out of bed until every cell in her body knew just how much he loved her.
They reached the bedroom and Blake carefully placed Alexia to sit on the edge of the high bed. She unzipped the back of her dress while he tore off his shirt and removed his pants to be completely naked. Kneeling at her legs, Blake helped Alexia tug the dress down, revealing inch by delicious inch of her soft skin. His lips trailed after the material. He kissed her neck and down to the tops of her breasts.
With the dress at her waist, Blake reached behind to unclasp Alexia's bra. He slid the straps down her arms, goosebumps rising. Taking his time, he kissed her nipples and nuzzled them before taking one into the wet hotness of his mouth. As he licked and sucked on one nipple, his hand played with her other nipple, circling and pinching.
Pulling away, Blake continued kissing down her body. Alexia lifted her hips so he could push the bunched dress and her panties off. When his lips moved even lower, a small voice in the back of her head made her remember the scar. He felt Alexia tense when his lips pressed against the healed wound on her stomach.
"Do you find any of my scars repulsive?" He asked her softly.
"No!" Alexia replied fiercely, causing Blake to smile.
He ran his tongue over the smooth, raised flesh. "Then don't even for a second think that I am bothered by your scars."
Touch by the tenderness of the moment, Alexia could only nod. She threaded her fingers through his hair while he pushed her thighs wide apart and lowered his head. A shiver ran through her when he inhaled deeply before placing a kiss on her throbbing clit. She was already so aroused and wet.
One of his hands curved around her ass to pull her closer to the edge of the bed while the fingers of his other hand glided over her moist slit. He slid one finger into her and began to play his tongue around her clit. Soon two fingers penetrated her and Alexia rocked towards him as a light sweat broke over her heated skin.
Blake curved his fingers as he moved them in and out of Alexia with that deliberately maddening pace he loved to torture her with. Her breathing grew harsher, those barely restrained pants and mewls of hers set his blood on fire. He pressed against that spongy part that made Alexia whimper as her hips shot forward. His sucks grew harder and he flicked his tongue over her clit faster.
"Blake," Alexia gasped, her fingers tightening in his hair. Her toes curled and her back arched. She cried out when her orgasm hit, pleasure so intense that she couldn't breathe until she felt as though her lungs were on fire. Inhaling deeply, she felt the waves of pleasure crash through her all over again, making her shiver.
Pulling his fingers out of her, Blake wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. He grinned when she fell back on the bed, breathing heavily. Standing, his heart beat a bit faster when Alexia raised her arms to Blake.
She moved up to the headboard as Blake got onto the bed. Her legs parted and he settled between her thighs. Alexia reached for Blake and pulled him down for a kiss. Their lips moved on each others, sliding and molding in hot urgency. Snaking her hand between them, Alexia wrapped her fingers around Blake's hard cock. Her hand moved on his length and they both groaned. Positioning him at her entrance, she coated the head of his cock in her juices before he started to push into her tight body. He held himself above her, watching the mix of emotions on her face as he penetrated her.
They both held their breaths as their bodies joined. Nothing felt so exquisite. When his cock was completely sheathed in her body, Alexia let out a long pleasurable sigh. Her inner muscles pulled on him, urging Blake to move. She tilted her hips to him in a plea.
"Fais-moi l'amour, Blake." Her hot breath tickled his ear as she told him to make love to her.
He moved slowly at first to savor the feel of their bodies joined, every sensation of that wet friction that stirred his soul into a frenzy. Alexia's knees bent, her heels digging into the sheets and mattress as she matched Blake's steady rhythm. Their slick bodies undulated together. He angled each entry to heighten Alexia's pleasure.
The persistent urge for completion grew more demanding with each stroke. Tingles started down Blake's spine to his balls as he staved off the desperate need to cum. Alexia writhed beneath him, their bodies slapping together in a quicker pace.
Her hands roamed his sweaty back to his firm ass. With Alexia's inner muscles clenching down on him, Blake knew she neared another orgasm. The pleasure-pain of her nails digging into his skin pushed him over the edge. He slammed into Alexia with a loud groan, his hips jerking as he spent himself inside of her.
One hand at the back of his head, Alex pulled his mouth down to hers, swallowing his groans in heated kisses. Soon, their cries of bliss melted into one as Alexia came again.
Both their bodies shivering from their sweat cooling and the aftershocks of their climaxes still thrumming through them, neither dared to move. Blake's weight pressed Alexia into the mattress, but she held him there with her arms and legs wrapped around him.
"No, don't move. Stay." She begged.
Blake's throat was too tight with emotion to reply. He let Alexia hold him, so afraid that he'd wake up alone to find this a sweet dream. The solid beating of her heart thumped against his chest, harmonizing with his own beating heart.
"I'll always stay with you." He finally answered. "You're the first woman I've ever loved."
She wanted everything from Blake just as she wanted to give him everything of herself. "What about being the last?"
Rising enough so he could look into her chocolate eyes, Blake smiled. "The first and the last." He assured her before dipping his head down for another kiss.
It should be raining. Spectacular weather didn't happen often in London, but today had to be one of those rare days. The last thing she wanted was for the sky to be relatively clear. At least a light breeze kept things a little chilled.
Alexia wanted a full out storm with torrential rain and flash flood warnings. Lightning and thunder shaking the walls would have also been appreciated. All physical manifestations of the turmoil churning in her.
The black Mercedes moved through traffic deftly. Matthew asked if she wanted the windows down since the weather was so nice. Alex shook her head and told him to drop the AC temperature in the car to the lowest. Cold. If only she could numb herself to everything. Although she was already shivering, Matthew complied.
They didn't talk during the hour drive out of London. Alexia had been grateful that Matthew didn't start a conversation. He just dutifully drove her to the estate her grandfather owned on the outskirt of London. She couldn't recall how they reached the estate, too lost in her thoughts by the time the car pulled into a perfectly manicured, white coral driveway.
She opened the car door and stepped out cautiously. The twinge of physical pain in her abdomen was nothing compared to her emotional and mental anguish. The pinch from her injury only reinforced her loss. Instinctively, her hand protectively settled over her flat stomach. Tears pooled in her eyes as she stopped walking.
"Alexia," Matt began softly, "you haven't cried yet. It would do you some good." His hand was at her elbow, offering a comforting embrace should she need it.
Blinking back her tears, Alexia gave a sad smile. "I'm trying to prolong my state of denial." She rasped.
Only a couple weeks ago she shed a layer of her depression, just enough to want to venture out of her grandfather's building. She had been in ICU for three weeks before in a stable enough condition to be moved to a private wing of the hospital. The moment she received the ok, Dane had her return to London.
Matthew thought a ghost inhabited the house. Since she had been in the hospital for almost six weeks, Alexia wasted away to almost nothing. The dark circles made her sad eyes look even bigger. Her coffee and cream complexion was devoid of its usual healthy glow. Instead, paleness to her color added to the appearance of her frailty.
Dane assigned someone with Alexia at all times. She refused to take medication and he worried she would try to hurt herself. He pushed for her to visit Blake and their son's graves in hopes that reality would start to sink in. The two had been buried on the estate where Alexia was now. It would be her first time visiting the graves.
"Then we'll walk slowly." Matt replied just as softly.
They took the scenic route, going through the gardens. Her favorite part of the whole estate was the gardens. It stretched on and on, having grown in size since Alex first told her grandfather how much she loved it when she was little. Her pace grew deliberately slower as they neared the huge marble headstones surrounded by fresh flowers.
The small hills of dirt had yet to settle, reminding the visitors of how recent the tragedy. Alexia stopped several feet away. Matthew patiently waited for her next move. He could tell she was reading the headstones, the names and dates. Her gaze lingered on the engraved cursive words written in French on her son's headstone.
"We love you." Alexia translated before she burst into tears.
Matt retreated quietly as Alexia sobbed and made her way to the graves. She didn't care how dirty she'd get as she dropped to her knees in the mounds of dirt. Her words tumbled out, forming not one coherent sentence. The words switched back and forth between Blake and Gabriel. Finally, she let out an anguished cry and just sobbed herself into exhaustion.
Awhile later, Matthew approached when Alexia's body stilled. He saw her draw in a shuddering breath. She looked up at him with swollen eyes still swimming in tears. He didn't like seeing her so completely devastated and a part of him was glad that no one had such a debilitating power over him. Well no one he'd admit to.
"It-" She began, her throat working to get the words out, "it still doesn't f-feel real." She drew in another unsteady breath. "O-only a part feels r-real. I can feel G-Gabriel's loss in m-my soul, but not Blake's. I should feel like h-he's gone. But I don't."
Kneeling, Matthew rubbed a hand over Alexia's back. "They're both gone, Alexia. I'm sorry." He couldn't sympathize. He hadn't grown an attachment to the unborn child and he sure as hell wasn't fond of Blake. All he could offer was what little empathy he could fake.
---
Alexia stayed at the estate for a couple months. She found it therapeutic to visit the graves and speak with Blake and Gabriel. She heard from her grandfather that Gabriel had jet black hair, and light eyes. He probably would have looked just like his father.
At first, she had been angry with Blake, but when all that anger was spent, she was overwhelmed with how much she still loved him and missed him. She planted flowers near the graves and told stories of her youth. Sometimes she'd tell the two about her day or the wishful dreams she had about the three of them as a family.
"The doctors say I am unable to have any children." Alexia whispered to Blake as she yanked out the newly sprouting weeds. There were gardeners and staff for that, but she liked doing it herself. "I don't mind though. I can't imagine having anyone else's child."
Alexia was silent again as she worked to pull out all the little weeds and then went to planting some miniature pink roses. She felt herself smile. "I know it's not very manly, but they're so beautiful." She explained to Blake and Gabriel as if Blake asked why she planted pink roses beside their graves.
She still couldn't believe Blake was gone as well. Her soul still ached for the loss of their son, but she couldn't bring herself to accept Blake's death.
When she had been stabbed, she vaguely remembered voices, horns honking, and lights flashing in and out above her. Then the beeping of machines. She remembered being hooked up to all these tubes. The doctor checked in on her and told her to get some rest. She wanted to ask about her baby, but the solemn look on his face told her everything.
Her first visitors were her grandfather and Matthew. He told her about the funeral arrangements he made for Gabriel. Then his voice trailed off and he looked to Matthew. Her grandfather always had Matt tell the bad news. As Dane moved to leave the room, Matthew pulled a seat beside Alexia's bed.
"Blake went looking for Richardson's partners." He started with. Alex blinked and felt her stomach drop. She already knew where this headed. "He found one of the guys...but he walked into a trap."
"No." Alexia started to shake her head. She was too weak to shout. "No. He can't be dead, too. I don't believe you."
Matt continued. "We did a DNA test on the body we found and it most definitely is Blake, Alexia. I'm so sorry. Your grandfather will have Blake buried beside Gabriel. His body was unrecognizable. It would be best you don't see it."
She called Matthew a liar and told him to get out. Her sudden movement to grab something, anything, to hurl at him pulled some of the needles out. The machines started to alarm and her heart rate shot up.
Nurses rushed into the room and shoved Matthew out. They tried to calm Alexia down, but she fought them off. Her screams drowned out the furious beeping from the machines. A sedative was injected to one of her many tubes and Alex was out in the next few moments.
When she woke up again, she didn't feel anything. Living in denial was so much easier. With her grandfather insistent on her to move back in with him, she went on living in denial. She reveled in her deep depression. Every single time her grandfather mentioned a visit to the graves, Alexia pretended not to hear him.
She wasn't certain why she changed her mind that one day. Her grandfather hinted again and she agreed to go. Now she didn't want to return to London. She didn't want to go anywhere.
---
A year passed without much notice. The pain had receded to a dull ache. There was restlessness in her now. So many places she wanted to see and things she wanted to do. Life was too short to keep putting it all off. When her traveling ended, she wanted to do something useful. She needed to be useful to someone, even just one person.
After a few months of planning, Alexia was off to France. She had been all over Europe before, but tended to stay in the cities. She wanted to visit the country side where Blake grew up. Every place listed in his file, she visited for at least a few weeks.
Her grandfather fought with her about sending someone along, but she needed this for herself. She told him so and he had reluctantly agreed. Still, she called to check in every day. By the time another year-and-a-quarter passed, Alexia visited all the places listed except for one. She'd returned to England to visit Blake and Gabriel's graves again before she'd head to Cabo San Lucas for a couple months. She read that it was Blake's favorite place to vacation.
She spent a week at her grandfather's rural estate outside of London. Originally she planned for only a few days, but she missed talking to Blake and Gabriel during her fifteen-month-long sojourn throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The night before her departure, Matthew offered to cook. However, he avoided all of her questions.
"I was only curious. I don't mind talking about it now, Matt. Did I upset you? I'm sorry." Alexia murmured as she followed him from the kitchen to the dining room.
Alexia wanted to help, but he wouldn't let her. So she stood by and watched. Shortly after, she began to ask a small question here and there until it became questions about what happened more than two years ago.
"I'm not upset. I just don't know why you are suddenly so curious about it." Matt frowned as he placed the baked seafood salad down. He didn't want to answer any questions about that night. It was best to leave it alone.
Alexia gave a winsome smile. "I've been thinking a lot during the past year. Before you start in on some smart ass comment, I thought a lot before then too." She caught a brief smile touch his lips. "During my time away, I've been coming to terms with Gabriel and Blake's deaths. Things are a blur to me of that night and I just wanted to know. So I can lay it all to rest now."
Matthew let out a breath and turned to Alex. He crossed his arms before speaking. "Well...you were being stubborn as usual-"
"I'm sorry. I have gotten better about that, haven't I?"
"Yes, except you still like to interrupt me." He said lightly. Alex gave another apologetic smile before she promised not to interrupt again. "I went to the airport to pick up your grandfather. In hindsight, I should have just stayed with you until Mr. Jensen had gotten back. So I left you alone, assuming Mr. Jensen was to return shortly. I had been banking on hiding right under your enemy's nose to be the best tactic, but have since then changed my mind on that."
Matthew walked back into the kitchen and Alexia followed along. "When we returned, a gun had been fired and I rushed to see what happened. Mr. Jensen was about to pull the trigger, but I did so first and shot Richardson dead. You were in the kitchen bleeding to death. We rushed you to the hospital. They couldn't save your son, but they saved you."
Alexia tried to remember it all. Nope. Still fuzzy. "You said Kaleb was fine." She recalled asking about Kaleb's welfare and thankfully he had been uninjured. Before she got to speak with him again, he returned home. Alexia, too gone in her grief, didn't think to bother Kaleb again.
Matt nodded his head. "Yes, he jumped back in time. He told me that you warned him a split second before and that saved his life."
With a wry smile, Alex shook her head. "It's my fault he almost got shot." There were many things she thought about in since then. So naïve and selfish. A wake-up call to what a juvenile brat she had been. Regardless of the fact that she donated money to worthy charities and did volunteer work, she was far from selfless and mature. Since that realization, she tried her best to change. After her two months in Cabo, she planned to throw herself into charitable works. Maybe she'd finish med school and join the Peace Corp. or Doctors without Borders.
"True. But a part of life is living with regret and trying not to be suffocated by what ifs." Matthew pointed out. He dropped a small kiss on the top of Alex's head. "Don't think about those what ifs. There's nothing you can do about them." He warned.
Aware of the gravity of the situation, Alexia playfully scrunched her nose at Matt. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
With a laugh, Kaleb grabbed his squealing sister. She had been running around the house and daring him to catch her. The door bell rang and she yelled that she got it. He didn't like her opening the front door, so he rushed over and snatched her up. Laughing when he opened the door, he had not expected to find Miss Alexia Whitt standing there.
Alex was surprised, but she smiled brightly. "Hello." She said to the two who looked over with curious expressions. "Sorry, is this a bad time?"
"Hi, I'm Willow. Tell her come in." She jabbed her brother in the ribs.
Although Willow just made nine, she was already very bossy. Kaleb didn't mind so much. He adored his little sister. He also didn't want to admit that he spoiled her too much. While he tried to wrap his mind around Alexia Whitt being there, Willow dragged Alexia in.
"Sorry, come in. I wasn't expecting to have you here." He said quickly as he closed the door behind Alexia, keeping the cold outside.
After removing her shoes and putting it on the rack beside the other footwear, Alex smiled at Willow who said she was very beautiful. "Thank you, sweetie. I'm a friend of your father's. My name is Alexia. And you're probably going to be ten times more beautiful than me when you grow up. Your daddy is going to have to beat the boys away."
Kaleb cringed. Not because of the father statement, but because Willow truly was going to make heads turn when she grew up. Half Tahitian and half French, she inherited the best genes from both sides. With her brown curls, golden skin, and cat like green eyes, Kaleb was dreading the day Willow wouldn't think that all boys were gross. Relief filled him to see Willow's face screw up.
"I don't like boys. They're so yucky." Willow informed Alexia.
Kaleb chuckled. "That's right. They don't get much better either."
"And Kaleb isn't my dad. He's my brother. The best brother in the whole world." Willow beamed a smile of obvious adoration over at him.
The scene touched Alexia. Although an older brother, Kaleb played the fatherly role very well.
"He'll still have to beat boys away with a stick when you grow up." Alex laughed as she followed the two into a very homey living room. Willow bounded off to the kitchen after announcing she was thirsty.
"So uh...what brings you here?" Kaleb asked when Alexia took a seat.
Alexia still smiled as she watched Willow run off. That was definitely a well-loved and happy child. It only made her wonder what Gabriel would have been like around that age. Kaleb's question brought her out of her thoughts.
Her warm, brown eyes settled on him. "I never got to thank you for all your help and it was inconsiderate of me to have waited this long. Thank you for everything you did for me, Kaleb."
Certain he'd never see her again, he sat there shock. Something about long overdue words of gratitude. He wouldn't have held it against her if she just sent a belated thank you card or email or even nothing at all. But here Miss Alexia Whitt was. In the flesh.
"Jesus. You came all this way to say thank you?" He tried to lighten the mood with a laugh. "It's fine, Alexia. You didn't have to go out of your way for that and like I told you back then, I was getting paid for it." Kaleb doubted Alexia knew about his added bonus courtesy of her grandfather.
"And I do remember you saying that you're not good with compliments and it seems with thank you's as well." She pointed out softly to which Kaleb laughed again. Her attention then went to her bag as she dug around for her card. "If there's anything I can do to help, I just wanted you to know that you can always call on me."
Kaleb took the offered card, her hand so soft and warm. He always wondered how soft she was and if she was soft like that all over. Alexia didn't seem as affected by their contact as he. A loud crash in the kitchen followed by an equally loud 'uh-oh,' got both their attention.
He was on his feet and in the kitchen in less than a minute. Alexia followed and he stopped her from walking right into a chocolate milk warzone. Willow had the decency to look guilty as she stood in the middle of the giant puddle.
"It slipped!" She insisted before Kaleb could say anything. "The carton had condensation."
Alexia giggled when Kaleb shook his head.
"Condensation. Where did you learn that word from?" He asked in amusement.
Willow gave a smile now that she knew Kaleb wasn't angry with her. "From school. The windows get sweaty and our teacher told us it's called condensation."
He turned to Alexia. "Sorry, you can wait in the living room if you want. We'll get this cleaned up. You," he pointed at Willow who blinked at him innocently, "you stay there. Don't move."
Expecting Alexia to go take a seat, Kaleb headed down the hallway to grab some towels, a mop and two buckets. When he returned to the kitchen, Alexia had taken off her socks and sweater and rolled up her pants to her knees. It was pathetic really that he thought she had the cutest toes he'd ever seen. Maybe not so pathetic since Willow thought so as well.
"Oh those are so cute!" She pointed at the rhinestones on Alexia's toenails.
Alex cringed. "Yeah, my friend, Clara, took me out to a spa day before I left London." It had been what Clara called 'the first step to forgiveness'. So depressed, Alexia ignored her good friend at every turn. She was making amends now. Although Alex hadn't wanted to do a spa day, Clara demanded. "We got matching pink flowers."
"Kaleb, can I get something like that? Please."
Kaleb snorted and then raised a brow. "You emptied the entire gallon of chocolate milk onto the floor and you want me to bring you to get your nails done?"
"Yes?"
Alexia easily intervened. "I can bring you if you'd like. I'm going on a trip for a couple months and I'll need a girl day after that. We can have a girl day when I get back if you want to."
"Two months!" Willow burst out and then quickly apologized after her brother started in with her first and middle name. "I didn't mean it like that, Kaleb. Just...two months?" She repeated as if she had been told a whole year.
Alexia laughed and touched Kaleb's arm before he could scold his sister. "No, its okay. She's right. Two months is a long time. How about three weeks? Will three weeks be okay?" She asked.
Willow looked over at Kaleb worriedly. He didn't seem too upset, so she accepted. "If that's okay with you..."
"It is more than okay with me, sweetie." Alexia assured her new friend. "Now, we should get this cleaned up before your brother says we can't go."
Kaleb cracked a smile. "That's right."
So Alex grabbed the towels from Kaleb and tossed one to Willow who quickly went to cleaning up. Alexia wiped up what Willow missed while Kaleb kept insisting she let him do it. With a laugh, she had replied that he could do the mopping to make sure the floors weren't sticky. They put the chocolate milk drenched towels into the buckets and Willow showed Alex to the wash room. Kaleb filled his bucket up halfway with hot water and he added some Pine-Sol.
Willow and Alexia passed Kaleb in the hallway on his way to the bathroom to empty out the dirty water into the tub. When Kaleb joined the two females back in the kitchen, Willow sat on the counter as Alex puttered around in the kitchen.
"I hope you don't mind me using your kitchen. I offered to make some hot chocolate and I'm pretty sure you don't want Willow working the stove." She told Kaleb.
He looked on the counter where she laid out the sugar, Nesquik, and regular milk. "I don't mind. I just feel bad that you helped clean up and now you're making my baby sister some hot chocolate. I'm the host here."
"And I'm an unexpected guest. I can make some hot chocolate for you too. Do you have evaporated milk?"
Kaleb figured it would be easier not to fight with her. "Yes, we have some." He went over to the cabinet and pulled out a couple cans. "I've never had hot chocolate with evaporated milk."
Alexia looked over her at Kaleb as she washed out a big pot. "Then you are missing out. My nanny used to make this for me all the time."
"Nanny? Is that like a babysitter? I have a babysitter when Kaleb has to leave for work. She's really nice." Willow glanced at Kaleb and cupped her hands over her mouth. "She lets me eat candy and sleep late." She whispered to Alexia.
Alexia's mouth curved into a smile. "My nanny let me do that, too." They both giggled. "Now, I'm going to teach you the hot chocolate secret recipe. When you get old enough to use a stove, you should make this. It can get pretty chilly up here in Lakeview. I grew up in Northern Spain and the nights were cold."
"You don't have an accent." Kaleb noted as he handed her a can opener.
Alex placed the partially water-filled pot on the stove and turned the dial. She took the can opener. "Thank you. Well, I used to live in New York up until I was five. My nanny was American and she moved with us between America and Spain. She had a hard time learning Spanish and she couldn't understand the accents so well either, so even though I learned Spanish, I had the most American English accent in all of Santander. I pick up on languages and accents easily. When I'm in England for more than a month, I'll sound like a total Brit." She laughed.
Willow tilted her head. "Kaleb makes me learn French and Tahitian because he says I should know my heritage. I'm adopted."
"Really? Me too!" Alexia said with a big smile over at Willow. "My grandpa adopted me. Not quite the same thing, but close." She handed a measuring cup, a bowl and the chocolate powder to Willow. "You'll be my little helper okay?"
Kaleb watched as the two worked in the kitchen together. Willow had fun measuring the sugar and Nesquik. He was eventually recruited to help pour the milk into the measuring cup Willow held. Alexia told him to watch out for the condensation and although Willow was young, she was sharp. She scolded them for making fun of her.
By the time the hot chocolate finished, Willow hopped around in excitement. Kaleb had to admit that it did smell pretty good. They got out the marshmallows and whipped cream. While Alexia and Willow put a mountain of whipped cream on theirs, Kaleb just opted for a couple marshmallows. Having Alexia around wouldn't be so bad. He hoped.
---
Current day...
Kaleb returned to his rented room in a daze. He didn't expect Alexia to jump at him the moment he entered. Pasting a smile on, he hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.
"I thought you were going to be out shopping all day."
Wrinkling her nose, Alex shook her head. "The heat was killing me. I've grown spoiled up in Oregon. I just talked to Willow. She isn't too fond of camping."
Although Alex only lived in Lakeview for three months, she had quickly acclimated to the cool weather. When she got back from Cabo, she fulfilled her promise of a girls'-day-out with Willow. A week stay turned into two weeks and then three weeks until Willow cried that she didn't want Alexia to leave. The house next to Kaleb's went up for sale and Alex took it as a sign to relocate to Oregon. Honestly, they were at each other's houses so often that it would have been practical to just live in one house.
About a month ago, Kaleb asked Alexia out on a date. Their dates usually involved Willow since the little girl had a knack for inviting herself along, but on the several occasions Kaleb and Alexia were alone, they found that they really clicked. Alex asked to go along with Kaleb to Las Vegas for the long weekend while Willow went on a school trip. They both knew that Alexia's decision to follow Kaleb meant she was ready to take their relationship to the next level.
With a small laugh, Kaleb made his way over to the desk. He dropped his briefcase and then took a seat. Alex immediately perched herself on his lap and looped her arms around his neck.
"So, how did the meeting go? You look exhausted." Alexia frowned.
Kaleb didn't want to tell Alexia about Blake. He wasn't positive that he wouldn't lose her. "It went pretty well. I think I can find this guy Mr. Greene is looking for."
"Isn't this more bounty hunting than you're used to?"
A sigh. "Just a bit. Really, I'm just doing some digging and Mr. Greene will send someone to deal with the perp."
"Perp?" Alex repeated, on the verge of giggles.
Kaleb raised a brow and rested his hands on her hips. "What's wrong with saying perp?"
Shaking her head, Alex dropped her voice to playful seductiveness. "Oh nothing. I like when you get all PI lingo on me."
"Well, I am more than happy to oblige, ma'am." Kaleb grinned before he pulled Alexia closer and kissed her softly on the lips.
Alexia purred as she wiggled in Kaleb's lap. They had gotten into heavy petting before and went just a bit farther a few days ago. She hoped that they could go all the way on this trip.
Their kiss grew deeper. Kaleb cupped Alex's cheek with one hand, her front pressed to his chest. He swallowed her sigh when his other hand slipped under her shirt to skim over her smooth skin. When he broke the kiss, Alexia's lips were wet and kiss swollen.
"Want to order room service?" She whispered, her fingers gently pulling the hair at the nape of his neck.
Kaleb knew what that meant and damn did he want to. He really hated himself for being such a good guy. "Alex," Kaleb began, "there's something I have to tell you."
By Kaleb's long exhale, Alexia knew the news bothered him. "Alright. What's wrong?"
The concern on her face squeezed at Kaleb's heart. "What are your feelings towards Blake?"
"I'm not sure what you mean." Alexia's brows drew together in confusion. "It's been three years since I lost him. I think I've finally laid the past to rest though. I wouldn't have agreed to go out on a date if I was still mourning him." She and Kaleb had spent many late nights talking about the hardships of their pasts.
Kaleb felt little relief. "If it turned out that Blake is still alive...would you go back to him?"
"I-" She paused and decided to be honest. "I don't know."
"Am I the reason for your indecision?"
Frustration started to build. "Yes...no, I don't know. I'm involved with you and Willow now. Who is to say if Blake was still alive that he'd be the same person I knew from three years ago? Kaleb, I don't understand why you're asking me this. What happened today?"
He forced the words out. "Blake isn't dead, Alexia. I bumped into him today at Peter Greene's office. He thought you were the one dead this whole time."
A pained cry ripped itself from her throat. She covered her hands over her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. She didn't doubt Kaleb's words and she already knew who was responsible.
---
Clara got off the phone and put her hands on her hips. She looked over at her husband as he gave her a blank expression. With narrowed eyes, she stood in front of him.
"That was Alexia. She's distraught at what you did."
He kept his expression blasé. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean. She's always upset at me for something or another."
In the twelve years they had been married, Clara knew how to read her husband. "Don't you dare start with that, Matt."
With a shake of his head, Matthew motioned over at the chair across of him. His gorgeous wife took a seat and crossed her arms over her chest. He really did love Clara. Since the first day they met twelve years ago, he knew she was the one. He asked her out although it was against all protocols and they eloped three weeks later.
Unfortunately, business made it so they had to keep their marriage a secret. When Clara went on her scheduled vacations, Matt would conveniently be gone as well. It was a surprise no one figured it out before. Seeing as Clara's decision to retire next month would allow them to be more open with their relationship, Matt didn't bother with being discreet anymore.
Matt reached over for Clara's hand and she reluctantly let him press his lips to the back of her fingers. "I don't know what she's mad about this time. Honest." Although Alex had been trying to call him for the past hour, he was on vacation with his wife damn it. They hardly saw each other through the year and Hell if he was going to get dragged back to work.
"Kaleb met Blake by accident and Alexia knows." Clara said. "I can't believe you didn't tell me Blake is alive."
Great. Now he had a wife a pissed off at him because he not only withheld information from her, but also hurt her best friend. He didn't even want to think about how furious Alexia would be. "I knew I should have killed the bastard when I had the chance."
Pulling her hand from his, Clara smacked him hard. "Don't even go there. Why?"
"When Alexia was in the hospital, Dane swore that he wasn't letting Blake near her again. We both agreed that those two were too dangerous together. It was either kill Blake or make him go away. I told Blake that Alex and the baby were dead so he didn't try to look for them. Then I told Alexia that we found Blake's body. If she knew he was still alive, she would have spent her entire life looking for him."
Clara locked gazes with Matthew. "If two people are meant to be together, the universe will find a way to get them to each other. You and Dane think you can play gods over people's lives. When Gabriel died, Alex needed someone. She needed Blake. And now it's heartache all over again."
"That was not our intention. How were we supposed to know they'd find out about the other?" He held his hand up quickly to stop Clara. "Yes, I know. Fate set in motion." His wife always was the closet romantic. "What do you want me to do?"
"Nothing!" She exclaimed. "Don't do anything. If Blake and Alexia get back together, leave them alone."
Matthew reached for his cell to make a call. "I'll try to reason with Dane, but I can't make any guarantees." He dialed the number and waited. "Where do we stand?" He asked Clara.
Her reply told him exactly where he'd be spending the night. "The couch doesn't look too uncomfortable."
---
Peter saw how distracted Blake was and told him to take a couple days off. Since Blake never took vacation or had a sick day, Peter wouldn't fuss over it. And Blake didn't argue. No questions, just the way Blake preferred. Even the usually nosy and opinionated Gutierrez kept his mouth shut.
The drive home blurred into the space between the discovery of Alexia being alive and him staring at the picture of her he kept in his home office. Mixed feelings churned in his chest. At one point, it felt difficult to breathe.
His cell buzzing on the counter caught his attention. A new text. Flipping the phone open, a pang of shame assaulted him when he realized it came from Piper.
Waiting for my connecting flight. Hope you had a good day at work. See you in a few days. J
Blake's hand closed around his phone tightly. He inhaled deeply before typing out a text to Piper. No sooner did he type out the text that he deleted it and called her instead.
Her cheerful answer added to his growing guilt. "Hey, Blake. I wasn't expecting for you to return my text with a call. What's up?"
"Piper, we need to talk about last night and I don't think it can wait until you're back."
Blake could hear all the background noise, but Piper remained quiet for a few moments.
"Okay. What about last night did you want to talk about?" She finally spoke.
He really didn't want to hurt her. "You know there can't be anything between us right?"
"Blake...we agreed that I'd only take what you're willing to give." Her attempt at nonchalance didn't fool either of them.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you, but there isn't and won't ever be anything more than friendship between us, Piper. What happened last night won't happen again."
He heard the way her voice hitched when she replied. "I completely understand." She was quiet again and Blake wanted her to be the first to hang up. "Is it because of her? Alexia?"
Blake owed her the truth. "Yes. I found out today that she's alive. I'm sorry-"
Piper interrupted. "Oh please don't apologize, Blake. You love her and you'll always love her. If anything, I should think that's romantic."
"Piper," He said softly, "you'll find someone for you one day."
Her throat hurt from keeping herself from crying. "I hope someday soon before I lose my looks. Otherwise, there'd be no hope in me snagging a guy."
Blake's shame intensified at Piper's effort to cheer him up. "That's not true. You're a wonderful woman, Piper Amanda Greene. Any man would be lucky to have you."
"But not you." She whispered. "I don't think I'll be seeing you in a few days after all. Goodbye, Blake."
"Goodbye, Piper."
After she hung up, Blake carefully placed his cell phone down. A pounding headache developed in that eight-minute conversation. Although still early in the evening, Blake popped a couple of Motrin pills and lay awake in bed until he at last fell asleep the next morning.
---
Alexia wished she had more time. Since they promised Willow they would pick her up from school the next day, tonight was the only chance she had to meet with Blake. Kaleb set up the arrangements as Alexia didn't trust herself talking to Blake just yet. While Kaleb spoke to Blake, she made the reservations at Pinot Brasserie for a table in the corner.
After they got dressed, they decided to walk down the strip to the restaurant. When they reached the entrance of the place, Kaleb stopped walking. Alexia looked up and knew why he stood there.
"I should let the both of you have some privacy." Kaleb forced a smile. "You look beautiful, as usual."
Alex's brows drew together as she thought of what to say. "Kaleb, I don't know what will happen tonight-"
"It's okay, Alexia." He cut in. "I'll see you in a bit."
They both heard the uncertainty in his voice. Alexia wasn't so sure herself, but she nodded. "Yes. I'll see you in a little bit."
An awkwardly silent moment passed before Alexia turned and went into the restaurant and asked for her table. She glanced behind and saw Kaleb still standing there. He gave her a reassuring smile and waved before he took a step back.
"Ms. Whitt, I have you down for a reservation of three. We have someone from your party already seated."
Alexia's attention immediately went back to the hostess. "There will only be two of us dining tonight." She found herself replying. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as the hostess motioned over for one of the waiters to show Alexia to her table.
Skin prickling in awareness, Alexia followed the waiter to a shadowed corner. Someone stood as she approached. Her palms felt damp as the man went around the table to pull her seat back for her.
Stopping in front of Blake, Alexia found herself gazing up into those beautiful green eyes that haunted her in the years passed. Memories flooded back and her eyes began to itch.
"Blake." She whispered.
He looked so familiar and yet not. There were more lines on his face. He didn't look as easy going as he had three years ago. His eyes held a hint of hardness. Still...she remembered those eyes filled with so much tenderness and intensity.
"Ça fait un moment. Tu m'as manqué." Blake saw a mix of emotions cross her face. She looked well, albeit smaller than he remembered.
"It has been awhile." She agreed. "I've missed you, too." After taking her seat and receiving a menu from the waiter, they were left alone.
Reaching across the table, Blake took her hand. She was still as warm as he remembered, still as lovely. Her chocolate eyes softened and she squeezed his hand.
"There is much to talk about. Je ne sais pas where to start." His accent thick, emotion filled.
"Then I'll start." Alexia inhaled a shaky breath. "When you left...Richardson found me. I was there alone. I threw a fit about going with Matthew to the airport to pick up my grandfather. Richardson grabbed me and thought you were hiding somewhere. Kaleb returned and we all got into a fight." She paused. "I was stabbed in the stomach. The doctors say I can't have children. I was so stupid, Blake. It's my fault Gabriel died."
Blake shook his head. "No, Alexia. That is not your fault. Richardson would have killed you either way. I should have been there. I went to empty one of my accounts. I thought we could elope."
Another waiter returned to their table to ask if they wanted anything to drink. Alexia let Blake pick out a wine and they returned to their conversation.
"Matthew told me you were killed."
"Matthew told me you and Gabriel were killed." Blake gave a humorless smile.
Her fingers tightened around Blake's. "And that is the story of what happened. What have you been up to?"
"I made my way to Las Vegas on a lead for one of Richardson's partners. I needed a job and I got one bounty hunting for Peter Greene. I've been looking for Theodore Mills and Nguyen Le." Richardson's other partners had already been caught.
"Blake," Alexia began, "none of Richardson's partners are alive. My grandfather made sure of that." Usually her grandfather gathered enough information on people to get them convicted for multiple life sentences, but not this time.
Blake shook his head. "No, Mills and Nguyen are still out there. I've been following trails..." Then it clicked. "I've been getting false leads." It made sense that Dane would blame Blake for everything that happened. He'd probably have Blake chasing false leads for the rest of his life. And here Blake thought that not touching any of his other accounts kept Dane from finding him.
"It must have been my grandfather and Matthew." Alexia confirmed Blake's thoughts. "I'm so sorry. Had I known you were alive-"
"I know, Alexia. Me too."
The waiter was back again with their wine. Releasing each other's hand, Alexia and Blake pulled back to their sides of the table as the waiter poured the wine. Looking between the two, the waiter asked if they were ready to order. Neither had an appetite, but they ordered their dishes so the waiter would leave.
"What about you, Alexia?" Questions swamped his brain. He wanted to know everything. His anger at Dane and Matthew was barely held in check. He thought of Alexia waking up alone in the hospital to be told that Gabriel was dead. Blake should have been there to comfort Alexia. But then she was told that he died as well.
"My grandfather had me move back to London. I never left the house for months. I didn't want to be part of the world anymore. He sent me to live in the country where yours and Gabriel's graves were at. It's a bit morbid to think of your grave when you're sitting in front of me. Being there helped me. Healed me. I spent hours out at the graves and then I went traveling to all the places listed in your portfolio." Alexia admitted. "It made me feel closer to you like I understood you better."
Blake frowned slightly. "Where does Kaleb fit into all of this?"
Alex swallowed. "After I went on my trips, I paid him a visit to thank him for helping me find you. I met his baby sister and I grew attached to her." Matthew told Alexia that after Gabriel's death, Alexia's need to be a mother to someone was stronger than ever. "Three months ago, I moved to be closer to them and a couple months after that, Kaleb and I started dating."
"Run away with me, Alexia." Blake said suddenly. "I have other accounts and investments. We can run away to anywhere you want. If you want children, we can adopt."
Her heart sank. "I'm sorry, Blake. I can't. I have a little girl who trusts me to be there for her. There are other people involved who would get hurt. It isn't just about me and you anymore. I need time to think about this. I need-" Alexia was interrupted as her cell started to buzz. She reached into her bag to put her phone on silent when she recognized the number. "Excuse me, I have to take this."
Blake stood when Alexia did as she excused herself from the table. She left for the lobby so she could take the call. He sat back down and wondered how the hell he was going to win her back. Her words sounded strained as if she forced them out. As if it was what she felt obligated to say even though she might feel differently deep down.
Shortly after, Alexia arrived back at the table. She looked panicked. Blake rose from his seat and reached for Alex, but she stepped out of his reach as contact would push her over the edge. He dropped his hand.
"What's wrong?" He asked instead.
"It's my grandfather. He had a heart attack. I think he found out we know about each other." She tried to joke, but almost choked on a sob.
Explaining to the waiter that something urgent happened, Blake paid for their uneaten meal and then he and Alexia exited. "I'll get you to the airport." He recalled she carried her passport with her wherever she went.
"It's alright, I'll catch a cab there, I um..."
They reached outside and Alexia spotted the line of available taxis out in front. Blake took Alexia's hand and pulled her to him. She tensed before hugging him back desperately. They stood there holding each other for a long time.
"I love you, Alexia." Blake whispered into her hair.
She pulled away. "I need to go, Blake." There were things she needed to see to and get done before she did anything about Blake.
Before he could stop her, Alexia rushed to the line of cabs waiting and got into the first available car. She made a call to Kaleb and forced herself not to turn around to look at Blake.
---
"Willow's finally asleep." Kaleb said when he entered the living room. With Alexia gone for a week to see her ill grandfather, Willow had missed Alexia and stayed up way pass her bedtime to celebrate Alexia's return.
"Kaleb, we didn't have a chance to talk about Blake." She decided to get right into it.
Taking a seat across of Alexia, Kaleb exhaled. "I know. Alexia before you say anything, I want you to know that whatever your decision, I support you."
Alex gave a weak laugh. "Why are you such a nice guy?"
"That's how my parents raised me. I also already talked with Willow about it. She says you should follow your heart. She's a smart girl."
A soft smile touched Alexia's lips. "She has a wonderful person raising her."
They settled into silence and it was Kaleb who broke the tense quiet. "Go to him, Alexia. You still love him."
Her chin trembled. "I'm so sorry, Kaleb." She sat beside her grandfather's bed for that week and kept thinking how she wouldn't be able to live if she lost Blake again. She just couldn't lose him again. But she needed to bring closure between her and Kaleb before she went to Blake.
"Don't be sorry. We can't help who we love." His voice hinted that the same problem afflicted him. "So what are you going to do now?"
"Go back to Nevada. Beg Blake to take me back. Apologize for leaving and being so uncertain."
Kaleb frowned at her plans. Didn't she know? "Alexia...Blake isn't in Nevada anymore. I talked to Peter Greene a couple days ago for business and he mentioned that Blake resigned and left Las Vegas."
Alexia's brows drew together. "Really?" Well, she would just have to find him then. Even if that meant getting her grandfather and Matthew to tell her where Blake went.
"Do you want me to find him for you?"
She looked over at Kaleb and shook her head. "I couldn't ask that of you." Kaleb truly was such a nice guy. "I have to make some traveling plans it seems. I'm going to keep my cell number the same in case you or Willow want to call and I'd love it if I can come and visit you two sometime." She added hesitantly as she rose.
"You're always welcomed here, Alexia." Kaleb assured her as he stood to walk her back to her place next door. "Not to mention, Willow would demand you visit all the time for your girls'-day-out."
She laughed her first real laugh in days. "That's true."
---
Splashing cool water on his face, Blake enjoyed the refreshing jolt. He wiped his face with a clean towel and then tossed it onto the porch. Outside, he worked on fixing up the country home his mother left to him. Since Dane and Matthew already knew his whereabouts, Blake cashed in some of his investments and headed to Quincy, France. He still remembered the trips to Annecy that he took with his mother. His mother adored Annecy, the place of her birth and childhood.
Alexia said she needed time to think and after four days of nothing, Blake wondered if she would ever come back. He needed his own time of reflection and healing. When he thought Alexia and Gabriel were both dead, he didn't let the wounds heal. The pain kept him going on his vendetta. This was the best place for him to start his healing.
A rental car pulled into his driveway and he shook his head. Probably some lost tourists. He started towards the car and the door flew open. His heart started to thump faster as he spotted glossy black hair. His feet moved faster on the gravel. She turned to look at him and her brilliant smile made his heart ache.
"Blake!" Alexia cried and rushed towards him, leaving her car running and the door open.
Their bodies slammed in contact, neither had slowed soon enough to prevent it. His fingers laced through her hair and her arms wrapped around him tightly. Her bottom lip trembled, trapped between laughing and crying.
"I drove pass Quincy twice! The stupid GPS wasn't worth what they charged me." She blubbered.
Happiness bubbled up in Blake. He laughed until his cheeks were wet. Alexia's hands wiped at his hot tears before she cupped his face and she pulled him down for a kiss. The moment their lips touched, he felt whole once more. Having Alexia in his arms again was paradise to him.
A long moment later, Blake broke the kiss and cradled Alexia's beautiful face in his hands. "How did you find me?"
"I made my grandfather make Matthew tell me where you went." She said breathlessly. Her heart was going to beat out of her chest. "I love you, Blake. I've always loved you. I had to end things with Kaleb before it was right for me to tell you that I love you. I love you so much."
"Moi aussi, je t'aime. More than you'll ever know." He replied and picked her up, making Alexia squeak in surprise.
Carrying her to the house, he kissed her briefly to silence her words about leaving the car like that. He didn't give a damn about the car. All he wanted was the both of them naked and in bed. He wasn't letting her out of bed until every cell in her body knew just how much he loved her.
They reached the bedroom and Blake carefully placed Alexia to sit on the edge of the high bed. She unzipped the back of her dress while he tore off his shirt and removed his pants to be completely naked. Kneeling at her legs, Blake helped Alexia tug the dress down, revealing inch by delicious inch of her soft skin. His lips trailed after the material. He kissed her neck and down to the tops of her breasts.
With the dress at her waist, Blake reached behind to unclasp Alexia's bra. He slid the straps down her arms, goosebumps rising. Taking his time, he kissed her nipples and nuzzled them before taking one into the wet hotness of his mouth. As he licked and sucked on one nipple, his hand played with her other nipple, circling and pinching.
Pulling away, Blake continued kissing down her body. Alexia lifted her hips so he could push the bunched dress and her panties off. When his lips moved even lower, a small voice in the back of her head made her remember the scar. He felt Alexia tense when his lips pressed against the healed wound on her stomach.
"Do you find any of my scars repulsive?" He asked her softly.
"No!" Alexia replied fiercely, causing Blake to smile.
He ran his tongue over the smooth, raised flesh. "Then don't even for a second think that I am bothered by your scars."
Touch by the tenderness of the moment, Alexia could only nod. She threaded her fingers through his hair while he pushed her thighs wide apart and lowered his head. A shiver ran through her when he inhaled deeply before placing a kiss on her throbbing clit. She was already so aroused and wet.
One of his hands curved around her ass to pull her closer to the edge of the bed while the fingers of his other hand glided over her moist slit. He slid one finger into her and began to play his tongue around her clit. Soon two fingers penetrated her and Alexia rocked towards him as a light sweat broke over her heated skin.
Blake curved his fingers as he moved them in and out of Alexia with that deliberately maddening pace he loved to torture her with. Her breathing grew harsher, those barely restrained pants and mewls of hers set his blood on fire. He pressed against that spongy part that made Alexia whimper as her hips shot forward. His sucks grew harder and he flicked his tongue over her clit faster.
"Blake," Alexia gasped, her fingers tightening in his hair. Her toes curled and her back arched. She cried out when her orgasm hit, pleasure so intense that she couldn't breathe until she felt as though her lungs were on fire. Inhaling deeply, she felt the waves of pleasure crash through her all over again, making her shiver.
Pulling his fingers out of her, Blake wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. He grinned when she fell back on the bed, breathing heavily. Standing, his heart beat a bit faster when Alexia raised her arms to Blake.
She moved up to the headboard as Blake got onto the bed. Her legs parted and he settled between her thighs. Alexia reached for Blake and pulled him down for a kiss. Their lips moved on each others, sliding and molding in hot urgency. Snaking her hand between them, Alexia wrapped her fingers around Blake's hard cock. Her hand moved on his length and they both groaned. Positioning him at her entrance, she coated the head of his cock in her juices before he started to push into her tight body. He held himself above her, watching the mix of emotions on her face as he penetrated her.
They both held their breaths as their bodies joined. Nothing felt so exquisite. When his cock was completely sheathed in her body, Alexia let out a long pleasurable sigh. Her inner muscles pulled on him, urging Blake to move. She tilted her hips to him in a plea.
"Fais-moi l'amour, Blake." Her hot breath tickled his ear as she told him to make love to her.
He moved slowly at first to savor the feel of their bodies joined, every sensation of that wet friction that stirred his soul into a frenzy. Alexia's knees bent, her heels digging into the sheets and mattress as she matched Blake's steady rhythm. Their slick bodies undulated together. He angled each entry to heighten Alexia's pleasure.
The persistent urge for completion grew more demanding with each stroke. Tingles started down Blake's spine to his balls as he staved off the desperate need to cum. Alexia writhed beneath him, their bodies slapping together in a quicker pace.
Her hands roamed his sweaty back to his firm ass. With Alexia's inner muscles clenching down on him, Blake knew she neared another orgasm. The pleasure-pain of her nails digging into his skin pushed him over the edge. He slammed into Alexia with a loud groan, his hips jerking as he spent himself inside of her.
One hand at the back of his head, Alex pulled his mouth down to hers, swallowing his groans in heated kisses. Soon, their cries of bliss melted into one as Alexia came again.
Both their bodies shivering from their sweat cooling and the aftershocks of their climaxes still thrumming through them, neither dared to move. Blake's weight pressed Alexia into the mattress, but she held him there with her arms and legs wrapped around him.
"No, don't move. Stay." She begged.
Blake's throat was too tight with emotion to reply. He let Alexia hold him, so afraid that he'd wake up alone to find this a sweet dream. The solid beating of her heart thumped against his chest, harmonizing with his own beating heart.
"I'll always stay with you." He finally answered. "You're the first woman I've ever loved."
She wanted everything from Blake just as she wanted to give him everything of herself. "What about being the last?"
Rising enough so he could look into her chocolate eyes, Blake smiled. "The first and the last." He assured her before dipping his head down for another kiss.