Thanks as always goes out to my awesome beta A Midnight Vixen! She's the best!

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Alex and Chris returned to Aiden's room, removing the smug looks from their faces before they did.

"Did you see Adam?" Ajay asked Chris as she fell into his embrace.

"Yeah, he said he needed to clear his head for awhile." he said kissing her cheek, "How are you holding up?"

She nodded more to herself, "I'll be okay as long as the babies are."

He glanced over at Alex who was holding Aiden's hand as she slept. Everything was going to be just fine now. A few hours later Aiden awoke to hushed whispers and muffled crying.

"He's not picking up his phone, his car is gone, I can't handle this again. He can't do this again, it's just not fair!" Ajay cried.

Gran held her granddaughter as she tried to make sense of the situation, "We don't know anything yet Ashton. I'm sure he feels guilty again about causing another accident. We can't condemn him right away."

"I will never speak to him again if he really did leave." She promised.

"I'll be glad if he did. We won't have to worry about Aiden going into premature labor with him not around." Alex threw out there.

"Adam's gone?" Aiden spoke up.

All eyes shot to her.

"We're not sure yet. We can't get in touch with him." Chris answered warily.

Aiden wet her lips and sighed, "I was afraid he might do this."

"We'll keep trying to reach him. No need to worry." Gran assured her.

"I want him to come back for the right reasons, not because he was threatened or pressured." She frowned, "I think that will only push him further away."

She had a bad feeling when she had seen Adam that he might resort to leaving her.

Ajay pushed out of Chris' embrace, "He's not going to run away again. I won't let him."

Gran shook her head at Ajay, and pointed outside. She wanted to avoid upsetting Aiden with the escalating situation.

Alex went to his wife after everyone left the room.

He kissed her lips and placed a hand on her cheek, "Don't you think it would be better this way? He'll be off doing whatever he does far away from where he can hurt you; and I can take care of you and the twins."

"Maybe." she answered softly.

"It wasn't anything you did, it was his own guilty conscience." he told her.

She nodded stiffly.

He pulled her into a hug, "You know I would never leave you like that."

Aiden swallowed the sadness that was already growing in her heart.


Adam let himself into the hotel room tossing his jacket onto the chair as he undressed.

"Bout time you got here." she smiled, "Thought I was going to have to drink this all by myself."

She slinked out of bed completely nude and offered him a glass of the expensive champagne. He downed it in one gulp and threw the glass to the side, the delicate flute breaking into pieces. Mollie's wide eyes locked on his as he took her glass, drank the contents and threw it to the side as well.

"Adam…" She started but was stopped as he picked her up and dropped her onto the bed.

He was inside of her before she could protest. Long fluid strokes made her forget her argument and when he began manipulating her legs into different positions she lost herself completely. She curled her nails into his skin as he thrust into her urgently. She let out a loud scream as she hit her climax, thrashing her head back and forth. He buried himself deep within her finding his own release.

He collapsed on top of her, heaving for air. She was kissing his sweat soaked skin, reveling in their most intense meeting yet. Finally he got off her and grabbed a cigarette and lighter from his coat. He disappeared onto the balcony. She followed him out clad in his t-shirt.

"I didn't know you smoked." she commented.

"I don't." he answered gruffly.

"Okay…" she muttered, "What's wrong with you now?"

He ignored her and scanned the skyline through his exhaled smoke.

She shrugged, "I'm going back in, it's cold out here."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap. He took another long drag of the cigarette and put it out. Instinctively she cradled his head to her chest running her fingers gently through his silky hair.

He squeezed his arms around her waist and closed his eyes, "I can't see you anymore after tonight."

Her hands stilled, "Why is that?"

"I just can't. I've got too much going on, and I don't want to drag you into it." he mumbled.

"We meet up randomly to have sex." she pointed out with a laugh, "No one knows about us."

He let out a frustrated breath.

"Adam, just tell me what's going on." she sighed, "Are you getting back with Aiden?"

He chuckled, "No…I'm leaving her."

Mollie turned in his arms, "You're leaving her?"

"She almost went into labor tonight." he said staring off into the distance again.

"What are you doing here then? Shouldn't you be with her?" she asked semi-outraged.

He shook his head, "It was my fault. I plowed into her when I was chasing Joey. I just keep hurting her and putting her in danger. This is what's best for everybody."

She sat pensively for a moment, "You don't really want to make that mistake again do you? You've been arguing the whole time that this isn't like the last time with Joey, so why are you turning it into that?"

"I hurt people, most of the time unintentionally but I've been known to make some bad decisions." He stated, finally focusing on her, "I'm selfish, a huge jerk, and its just better if I leave."

"I can't tell you what to do, but I do want to point out that I think you leaving is a mistake. You have the opportunity to be a father and do it right this time and you're throwing it all away." she said solemnly.

"Your point is dully noted." he frowned.

"So you're going to let Alex raise your kids?" she brought up.

Adam rolled his eyes, "He's a fucking prick but he's a decent father, even I can admit that."

"And how did I get lumped into your 'get away' scheme?" she asked with a smile.

"It's only a matter of time before I hurt you too. I know we're not serious by any means but that doesn't mean I want you around for the fallout of my decision. You would get hurt eventually and I don't want that to happen." he anguished.

She framed his face and kissed him slowly, "You don't have to worry about me. I'm a big girl and can take care of myself."

"But …" he tried to protest.

She kissed him again, more passionately this time, "I'm nowhere near as fragile as Aiden. Besides, you're going to need at least one friend if you really do plan on leaving."

She could tell he was going to argue and stood up to face him. She lifted the shirt over her head with a wicked smile.

"Can't I convince you?" she batted her eyes.

His eyes were boring holes into her skin. Finally, he stood up and discarded his boxers.

"You're a very bad girl." he murmured, never taking his eyes off of her as he rolled on a contraceptive.

She seductively touched herself in anticipation of him, "I'm exactly what a very bad boy like yourself needs."

He grabbed the back of one of her knees as he positioned himself, "Keep convincing me baby…I think its working."


ONE MONTH LATER


"I love you Lexie girl." Alex smiled as he kissed his daughter.

"Love you too Daddy." she said rubbing her nose against his.

Ajay wiped her eyes, "At least you'll be a good father to my niece and nephew."

"Ajay, don't get all worked up right before I leave." Chris groaned.

"I'm not…I can't help it sometimes though. Being pregnant makes me all emotional." she sniffled as she shifted uneasily in the foyer of their home.

"You boys go ahead so you can hurry back to these girls." Gran urged with a smile.

Alex handed Lexie off to Gran, his brow furrowed, "Aiden wanted to sit outside for awhile, so that's where I left her…umm, out on the swing. You'll call me if she has any problems or anything right?"

"Of course. Don't worry about a thing." Gran assured.

He nodded and waved at Lexie before he left with Chris.

"Are you okay dear?" Gran questioned, letting Lexie go play.

"No…I've been so upset about everything, this whole Adam saga, yet again." she broke into tears again, "I don't know how Cookie holds it together like she does. I would completely lose it if Chris left me while I was pregnant."

"She does have Alex though, I'm sure that makes it a little easier." Gran offered.

Ajay shook her head, "It's not the same. I thought that she would be the one to change him, to make him be the Adam I knew he could be. You know, every time I hope for the best I always get the worst out of him."

Gran nodded sadly, "I thought that too. I think that he feels what he's doing is what's best for her and the children."

Ajay threw her hands up in exasperation, "We'll never know will we? I really don't think I'll ever speak to him again after this. I really am done with this juvenile shit. I warned him but he only cares about himself."

She let out a frustrated shriek before stomping upstairs to her room. Gran closed her eyes with a sigh. She couldn't blame Ajay for the way she felt because they shared some of the same sentiments regarding the situation.

She peeked in on the kids who were watching a movie then went to the back patio to check on Aiden. Her heart broke to see her swinging aimlessly back and forth, cradling her womb.

When she saw she had been crying she rushed out to her, "Aiden…is it the twins?"

She looked up at her, startled at first, "No."

Gran covered her heart in relief, "Then what is it honey?"

Aiden looked up at the darkening sky, eyes full of more tears, "I-I just wish that Adam was here."

Gran felt her own eyes well up, "Aiden, I'm so sorry."

Aiden dropped her eyes to her stomach, "All I can think about is how Addison must have felt when she was pregnant with Joey. She wanted him to love her and their baby so bad…I never thought he would ever make me feel this way."

Gran shook her head in disgust, "You're not the only one angel. He seemed to really love you."

"I thought he did too." she hiccupped, "I mean he planned this…he made sure that we would have a baby together. How can he just walk away from us after all of that?"

Gran sat beside her to hold her, to comfort her in anyway she could.

"He confided in me about Joey, he told me exactly how he felt and what he was thinking and I thought that maybe if I gave him his space he would come back. You know, maybe if I didn't pressure him he would make the right choice this time." she sobbed, "He won't answer my phone calls, or anything…"

"He's avoiding everyone darling, not just you. I wish there was something I could say or do to make this better for you." Gran frowned as thunder echoed off in the distance.

Aiden wiped her eyes, "We should probably go in before it starts raining."

"Honey, you can be strong in front of everyone else, but don't shut me out too." the older woman said squeezing her hand.

"There's nothing else to day. The ball is in his court." Aiden whispered.

Gran watched her carefully walk back inside the house. She was surprised at how much Aiden was hurting. She certainly hadn't let on that she was. How Adam had turned out the way that he had, she would never know. He was always so loving and loyal. He displayed affection that he hadn't received when he was young. He went out of his way to show people he cared and that he would be the person to turn to in a time of need.

Then slowly after he hit puberty, he began reverting into the boy she had first taken in. Scared, defensive, and lonely. Gran had earned his trust and respect and tried to cultivate him into an upstanding young man. She had loved him just as much as her own grandchildren, even sometimes praising him extra because she could tell that he needed it occasionally.

When he left Addison at the hospital somewhere in the very depth of her heart she had reasoned with him. He was still young, at the pinnacle of his career, and she had just delivered his drug-addicted son. She prayed every night that he would call her up and confide in her, to tell her he was okay and that he just needed to cope with everything. Instead, she had worried and grieved over him for two months. The only solace she had was seeing him on TV every week.

As hard as she tried, Gran couldn't wrap her mind around him leaving Aiden. She had seen the raw emotion in his eyes every time he looked at her. Aiden had him firmly rooted and focused on their relationship…or so everyone had thought. Something made him snap and she and the twins fell victim to Adam's wasteland of failed relationships.

Gran came inside; a smile playing on her lips seeing the children all nestled together in the tent Aiden had made for them. She went to the couch where Aidnen had fallen asleep and covered her up with a light blanket.

Ajay watched as Gran smoothed a weathered hand over the younger woman's hair. She pressed a kiss to her fingertips and then to Aiden's forehead, the way she used to when she tucked Ajay in at night as a child.

"Was she okay?" Ajay whispered when Gran joined her in the kitchen.

"She misses your brother." she confessed.

Ajay gritted her teeth, "I swear I could kill him for doing this to her."

Gran nodded ruefully.


Late the next afternoon Alex and Chris arrived back home, from the tapings.

"I'm glad everything went smoothly while we were gone. You know how I worry about you and Thing One and Two." Alex grinned kissing her abdomen.

Aiden faked a smile, even though she felt like crying again.

Chris peered from around the corner, "Can I talk to you for a sec Pat?"

"Yeah sure. You need anything babe?" he asked.

She shook her head, her sixth sense had peaked. Chris never called Alex 'Pat" unless it was about something pretty important.

She drummed her fingers on the table weighing her options. She had never eavesdropped before in her life. She had unintentionally heard things because of people's uncontrollable voice inflections, but had never purposely listened in on someone's conversation, much less her husband and their best friend.

Maybe if she just waddled by…that would be harmless right? They shouldn't be keeping secrets from her anyways. She eased off the couch dignified in her decision. Come to think of it, she was craving some peach ice tea she made earlier. She took a leisurely stroll, careful so her heels wouldn't click. She could hear them in the office, right off the kitchen.

"Dude, that was really fast." Alex murmured.

"I put a rush on it before we left, so it would be here when we got back." Chris said under his breath.

"I really appreciate this man, I really owe you." Alex thanked.

Aiden went into the kitchen feeling completely silly. She knew there was no need for her to snoop on them. She sipped from her glass deciding that she needed to apologize to them both when they were finished. One of the twins kicked her painfully.

"I know…Mommy shouldn't have done that." she sighed, making her way back to the living room.

"So all Adam has to do is sign these and both of those babies are mine?" Alex asked.

Aiden froze in her tracks, her heart racing.

"We won't have to worry about him hurting them or Aiden ever again." She could hear the sinister smile in Chris' voice, "He won't have a claim on any of them. We won't have anything to worry about after this."

"Except getting Aiden through the delivery, then we'll be home free." Alex said looking over the legal papers Chris had obtained.

They both shot out of their seats when they heard glass shatter.

"What are you doing up baby? Anything you needed we would have gotten for you." Alex fussed over her.

"You should have called us, sweetie." Chris admonished picking up the larger shards.

She backed away from them; furious tears in her eyes, her chest heaving, "What did you do? Why were you talking about Adam?"

Chris and Alex locked eyes with each other. They had just well and royally fucked themselves.


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