Their marriage is solid. Arthur is a devoted husband and father. His wife, Ariadne is a perfect mother and loving wife. Their marriage and family are put to the test as they move to New York and are rudely awaken to personal, financial and family tragedies.
Takes place after "Ariadne's Secrets", Ariadne's Birthday, Arthur's Ghosts, Ariadne's True Love, Hostage, and Arthur's Secrets.
The Kick
1.
~ Ariadne was grateful the bathroom was so close by. Even though Sadie had tried to warn her about New York, the Architect had found the city very nice so far.
The bathrooms in this building were very fine and clean as she felt her bladder had shrunk from her heavy pregnancy.
She had finally talked Arthur into completing their move to New York last week. His need to try and save his father's floundering company weighed heavily on his mind as she felt like she was a bad wife for keeping him in Paris. Her doctor had said no to the move since she had endured a stressful first trimester. Ariadne having to convince her husband she was well enough for travel.
It had been an easy move. They family only packing their clothes and most cherished things. Arthur still owned his childhood home that overlooked the park and was fully furnished. All Arthur and his family had to do was move in, and unpack. The whole process taking less then a day.
Ariadne was enjoying the wonderful feeling of an empty bladder when she heard two women barge into the ladies room.
"You were right. He is cute." One woman said.
"Arthur? The new owner?" The other woman said. "I've seen him here a few times. God, I wish more men would dress like that."
The Architect peeked out of the crack in her stall to see two, overly primped, young women fixing their hair and makeup in the big mirror.
"He was living in France?" The first woman said.
"Yeah, for years. He's apparently very well traveled." Her companion said. The second woman looking pleased with herself. Proud of her appearance.
"Is he married?" the first woman asked carefully as she appraised her own face and hair in the mirror.
"I thought I read he was, but he never brings her to New York. Maybe things aren't so good at home." The other woman said.
Ariadne quickly readjusted her top over her protruding belly. She was still two months away from her due date, but her body felt tired already. She let out a long sigh as he unlocked her stall and waddled out to wash her hands.
The two women barely gave her a glance as she washed her hands.
"Are you talking about the new owner? What's his name?" She asked the two women in her best 'Girl Talk' voice.
The two young women looked the Architect over. Her small frame and large, pregnant belly.
The bolder woman smiled at her.
"His name is Arthur. Have you seen him?" She asked.
"I think so. He always looks so angry." Ariadne commented. Her husband wore a scowl on his face at the office as he spoke with his business managers and sat in meetings all day. He only smiled when she stopped by to take him out to lunch. It had been her first time visiting his father's company.
"He does look mad all the time." the first, more timid girl agreed. The haughty girl shrugged.
"That's okay by me. I like a man who's a little angry. The sex is better." She said boldly.
"I thought he was married!" Ariadne said with a laugh.
"Were not sure if he is or not. But he comes here alone and leaves alone. I asked him to dinner once and he said no." The haughty girl informed the Architect.
Ariadne froze as she washed her hands. The haughty girl was everything she wasn't. She was tall, blond and had an impressive figure. By contrast, the Architect looked too small with eyes that were too big.
This girl had actually asked her husband out on a date? Ariadne wanted to smile at the idea of Arthur turning her down. Of the fact that he would call her as soon as he left the office and they would talk until he fell asleep. She in Paris and he in New York. The only way they could keep in touch till he was back in Paris. Their phone conversations lasting hours as she knew he wanted so much to come home. Not able to stand sleeping in a bed without her.
He had turned down this girl, and maybe an affair that she might never find out about, all to talk to his wife and his kids on the phone.
"If he was happy at home, why leave his wife there?" The haughty girl said unbuttoning her blouse and showing ample cleavage.
"Maybe he's gay." Ariadne offered.
"That would explain him dressing so well." The haughty girl agreed.
The more timid girl jumped as she read a text that dinged on her phone.
"He's on his way through accounting!" She exclaimed.
All three women jumped as Ariadne followed the two out of the bathroom.
"Is that him?" She whispered to the haughty girl looking at a not unattractive man in a mustered colored shirt.
"Oh, God. No way!" The haughty girl laughed. "That's Mr. Lowe. His the general manger. That is Arthur."
Ariadne couldn't help but feel full of pride. Her husband, the Point Man, was striding quickly through the office on his long legs. Mr. Lowe barely able to keep up as they were talking in crisp, efficient voices. Every pair of female eyes in the large office was looking at the new, handsome CEO.
All of them, no doubt, wondering who he was. Was he with anyone? Most importantly, just how rich was he?
"He's not that good looking." Ariadne said taking in how almost heroically handsome Arthur looked.
"Your crazy." The more timid girl said to her as the three of them watched Arthur and Mr. Lowe stride across the office.
Ariadne smiled to herself as Arthur spotted her. His eyes almost missing her. She reveled in how his face lit up at seeing her. She knew he was glad she had come to see him at the office. She knew that despite the make up she had sweated off and her large belly, he thought she was beautiful.
"He's coming this way." The more timid girl hissed. "Stacy, he sees you."
Stacy stood a little straighter.
"He's coming over to talk to you." the timid girl said bouncing on her feet.
"Maybe he's going to take you up on going out." Ariadne added.
The Architect felt her eyes locked with the Point Man as he approached the three women.
"Nice to see you again." Arthur said.
"Nice to see you again to." Stacy said with a wide smile as she threw her long, blond hair back and revealed her exposed cleavage.
Arthur's eyes flickered to the haughty woman. An annoyed look on his face that was usually meant only for Eames.
"Nice to be seen." Ariadne said with a laugh she couldn't hold at bay anymore.
Arthur's eyes were back on his wife as the petite Architect stepped into the Point Man's arms. Arthur kissed her brow and gave her a hug as the two women from the bathroom gawked openly at them.
"Did you have a nice tour? Sorry it took so long. Those meeting never end when they say they will." He said to her.
"Well, next time tell them your wife is waiting and your the CEO of this company and meetings will end when you say." Ariadne said looking up at him smugly. Aware all the women were looking at her.
"I'll do that." Arthur laughed as his hand went to her belly.
"The people here are very nice." She told him. She ran her left hand through her hair a little. Making sure her sapphire engagement ring sparkled brazenly in the light.
"That's good. Are you ready to go to lunch?" He asked kissing her on the brow again.
She nodded happily as she felt so beautiful just now. She had never felt more stunning, desired or envied then right at that moment. They way her husband looked at her, made her want to cry out from happiness. The way the other women in the office were staring at her. Their eyes burning with jealousy as they watched the happy couple with a baby on the way.
"It was nice to meet you." Ariadne said to the haughty woman and her timid friend. Both of them staring at her in disbelief as Arthur took her hand and they walked out of the building.