CHAPTER 36

Meanwhile, simultaneously at the Eames' residence…

John Eames joined his wife at the kitchen table, placing a hot cup of coffee in front of her. He sat in the chair next to hers and reached for an Entenmann's donut.

"I still think we should've said something," he said, taking a bite and washing it down with a sip from his steaming mug.

"No, we shouldn't have, John," she answered. "Obviously they don't want us to know what's going on. You know your daughter." She paused to take a sip, then continued. "She's always been private where her relationships are concerned –especially Bobby.

John leaned back against the chair, stretching his legs out in front of him. He picked at his plate, gathering up the crumbs from his donut. "I just don't like it. You saw the look on Alex's face when RJ ran straight to Bobby."

"It doesn't mean anything, John. Besides, maybe it's something good they're hiding," she smiled.

"Good? Like what?"

"Like maybe they went to see that doctor that Alex was talking about a few months ago –the one that specializes in high risk pregnancies," she answered with a hopeful smile and took a bite of her chocolate-covered donut.

"Don't get your hopes up," John warned. "Remember yesterday? She was over here early –upset. I think they had a fight."

"Oh John, all couples have spats from time to time. I wouldn't make so much of it. Besides, Alex told me that they might try again –it's been almost two years since her miscarriage."

John flipped the lid of the donut box closed with a sigh. "My gut tells me something's wrong."

"Oh, that's right –the cop's magic gut…that's what you're relying on?" she teased.

"It didn't fail me for twenty-five years," he reminded her. "Besides, I would've loved to hear the excuse when I told them that Lewis called there this afternoon looking for Bobby."

"Oh, Johnny, just let them be. They'll work it out—whatever it is."

Mr. Eames stood and reached for the empty coffee mugs. He shook his head as he walked to the sink, mumbling to himself, "…going to the car show with Lewis, my ass…"

X X X

Alex took Bobby's plate, giving him a little smile. "You want another one?"

"No, thanks," he said, brushing his chest and the sheet that lay across his legs. "I think I got crumbs in the bed," he said apologetically.

"That's okay," Alex said, turning to head back to the kitchen. "As long as they're on your side."

He laid back down next to his sleeping son and gently placed a kiss on his head. Alex returned to the room and got into bed.

They each resumed their previous positions –lying on their sides, facing each other, with RJ in the middle.

"G'night, Bobby," she whispered.

"G'night."

A moment passed.

"Alex?" he whispered.

"Uh-huh."

"C-c-can I --k-kiss you good night?"

After a moment, he sensed her movement in the bed as she raised herself up on one elbow to reach across little RJ's sleeping form. Bobby did the same and met her half way. He leaned forward until his lips met hers –lightly brushing at first, testing, full of trepidation. Until he felt her reciprocate, softly, warmly, moistly –her mouth opening to welcome his tongue. He kissed her deeply for a minute or two.

When they parted and settled back down into bed, she smiled. After everything they'd been through over the years she couldn't figure out what still made her melt at the sound of his voice and the feel of his lips on hers.

X X X

Bobby felt uncomfortable when leaving for work on Monday morning. He didn't know why. It finally occurred to him that Alex and RJ were actually safer now that Alex knew of the threats. She'd be on the lookout --be extra vigilant where RJ was concerned. But still, he felt uneasy.

Alex walked from the kitchen and handed Bobby his travel mug of coffee. "Here. It's 7:40 –you're gonna be late."

Bobby nodded, "I know, I know. But…"

"But nothing," she interrupted, walking him towards the front door with RJ on her hip. "We'll be fine."

He hesitated by the front door, still feeling uncomfortable.

"And don't forget to call your sponsor –9 o'clock –on the dot."

"I will. Bye," he kissed Alex and RJ and grudgingly left for work.

X X X

John Eames' friend, Frank arrived by 9:30. After chatting with Alex for a while, he got to work, installing the new alarm system and door and window locks throughout the apartment. He was finished by shortly after 2 p.m. and, after explaining once more how to arm and disarm the alarm, he handed her the new keys to the front door.

"You're all set," he smiled.

"Thanks for the discount, Frank," Alex said.

"No problem. I'm happy to do it," he smiled back, messing RJ's curls.

"And thanks for not mentioning it to my parents. I um, I just don't want them to worry."

X X X

The ringing of the phone startled Alex for a moment. She crossed the kitchen and answered, expecting it to be Bobby.

"Hello?"

"Hi sis!" Maggie greeted her. "I'm in your neck of the woods. Wanna' join me and Nathan for some shopping?"

"Um," Alex paused, thinking.

"Oh, c'mon. Just a couple of hours," Maggie persisted.

"Okay. Where are you?"

"I'm just pulling into the parking lot up the street from Macys."

Alex checked the clock. It was almost 3:00. "Just a couple of hours. I've gotta be home when Bobby gets home from work."

"Oh, why? Is he afraid to be home alone?" Maggie teased.

"No. He –forgot his house keys when he left for work this morning. He won't be able to get in," she lied.

"Oh, okay, just hurry then," Maggie pushed. "Michael got the promotion today. I want to spend his bonus while he's still in a good mood," she laughed.

"All right. You get started shopping. I'll call you on your cell when I get there so you can tell me what department to meet you in."

X X X

Alex fought the traffic and finally arrived at Herald Square. She navigated around the one-way streets and made her way to the same parking lot that she knew Maggie had gone to.

"Thirty bucks," she moaned. She parked and unloaded the now-asleep RJ into his stroller. She double-checked the side compartment of her Coronado® bag. Satisfied, she headed towards the world's largest department store.

X X X

Alex and Maggie browsed and shopped for almost two hours. As always, the kids ended up with more than their mothers, but the women didn't mind. RJ had woken up and was now sitting, drinking apple juice from his tippy cup. Nathan held on to the side of the stroller, keeping his little cousin amused.

"It's almost 5:30. I've gotta be heading home," Alex reminded her sister.

"I suppose I should, too. My arm's too tired to carry any more, anyway," she laughed.

The two sisters made their way towards the exit, stepping into the heat and sunlight of the early June evening. The sidewalks were jammed with people –shoppers, sightseers and the workers who'd just gotten out of their offices.

"Great," Alex groaned. "Just in time for rush hour."

A group of teenage girls, in the midst of an uproar of laughter and excited chatter was gathered on the sidewalk outside the store, near the corner. As the girls rushed towards the department store's doors, Alex and Maggie tried to maneuver through them in the opposite direction.

"Ohhh, pardon me! I'm so sorry," Alex heard her sister exclaim. She turned to find out what had happened.

"It's quite all right," the blonde smiled insincerely. "No harm done."

Alex froze at the sound of the voice. Her eyes fixed on the face of her enemy. Instinctively, she moved in front of her stroller, putting herself between Nicole Wallace and BJ, blocking him from her view.

A curious look overtook Nicole's face as she looked at Maggie. There was no mistaking the resemblance. Suddenly feeling the presence of an onlooker, Nicole turned to her right and spotted Alex.

It finally registered. "Detective," she said, then glanced back towards Maggie. "This must be your sister and --- your 'nephew'," she emphasized sarcastically.

Maggie stood by and smiled. She had no idea who Nicole was. She thought that Alex had just run into an old acquaintance.

Nicole eyed Alex up and down. She craned her neck, trying to peek around Alex.

"And who do we have here?" she asked with a smirk. "Hire yourself out for another nephew? Or maybe a little niece this time?"

At that remark, Maggie realized this was no friend. Her expression turned to worry –and anger.

Alex turned and lifted the fidgeting RJ from his stroller, shielding him protectively with her arms.

"Oh, another boy. Well, maybe next time," she smirked wickedly.

RJ squirmed and turned in Alex arms.

The grin instantly left Nicole's face. Her eyes darted back and forth, between Alex and the boy in her arms. There was no mistaking the curly brown hair; the big, brown doe eyes with long lashes; the little bow lips.

"Ha! A little Bobby!" She laughed, tossing her head back with false levity. "This is priceless!"

Maggie grew more uncomfortable watching the scene.

Nicole reached out to touch RJ's little fingers, but Alex yanked his hand out of her reach.

"You just stay away from us!" Alex seethed.

Nicole shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever you say, Detec…oooohhh, or is it Mrs. Goren? She grinned.

Alex didn't answer. Her left hand was firmly on RJ's back, holding him close. She knew that Nicole was observant enough to notice the wedding band and huge diamond on her ring finger.

"Well, whatever you're calling yourself these days," Nicole smirked, "You'd better watch him." Her eyes, like shiny black marbles, opened wide. She leaned a few inches towards Alex's face, staring defiantly into her eyes and whispered, "He might turn out like his Grandma."

END Chapter 36

A/N: Coronado Leather®. A company that specializes in premium quality concealed carry leather accessories for men and women.