As the morning sun rose above the Port Charles
bay, Zander had pulled on his black jeans that lay at the foot of the bed.
Emily had finally slept through the night without interruption. She
had been really having a restless few nights before, but they seemed to
have subsided. He tried his hardest not to wake her as he turned
on the bathroom light, but to no avail. "Zander..." she said quietly..."What
time is it?" "It's a little after 6 o'clock..go back to sleep." he
replied noticing she was barely awake. "Okay..." she replied with
a yawn and closed her eyes once again. He noticed she grabbed the
empty pillow and pulled it close to her as she held it tight. He
stood for a brief moment and than closed the bathroom door.
He quietly opened the bathroom door and peered
through the opening as he turned off the light. Emily was sound asleep
in the same position as when he went in. He walked lightly across
the bedroom floor and made his way down the short flight of stairs.
He needed coffee...plenty of strong coffee. Emily may have had a
peaceful night sleep, but he sure didn't. He knew his dreams had
returned but for the life of him he could never remember them...it was
the same when he was a kid, he could never remember them but knew he had
them. Zander had been having the dreams since the shooting outside
of PCPD that Christmas night, but they seemed to have subsided for a while,
and now have returned. He just didn't understand why.
An hour or so had passed as he held his coffee
cup and watched the sunrise over the bay. It was so beautiful this
time of day, but it was always more beautiful if Emily shared it with him.
While deep in thought about what the day might bring, Emily made her way
down the stairs. She noticed he was in another world some where as
she came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She
still in her silk pajamas and he in only his blackest jeans stood and watched
the sunrise together...as usual.
"So what time do you have to pick up Alex?" she
asked as he turned to face her. "Eleven...why?" he asked as he held
her in his arms. "I just thought we could discuss some things that
I discovered yesterday.." she replied as she leaned in and held him closer.
"That's right...you went to see Lila yesterday....did you have a nice visit?"
he asked as she looked up at him. "Yes I did and I found something
interesting out about why Grandfather hates you so much..." she replied
as he rolled his eyes at the sound of his name. "Why because I'm
a deviant or did he come up with something else to call me.." he questioned
with a smirk. "Come...sit down and I will tell you all about it.."
she said as she led him to the sofa.
Zander sat and listened intently as Emily described
her visit with her Grandmother and that she was giving her the christening
gown as a keepsake. She explained the gown had been in the attic
and in one of the old trunks that Lila had stored there. As she and
Monica were searching the trunks for the gown, she came upon this collection
of letters wrapped in a red ribbon that had faded with age. Her and
her mother had concluded that the letters were at least fifty years old
and were love letters from her Grandfather to her Grandmother way back
when. She confronted Edward about the letters and what they contained.
Zander was wondering where this was going and how it tied into her Grandfather
hating him so much. Emily continued with the Edward's explanation
as she sat across from Zander on the ottoman. "Apparently..Grandfather
was seeing Grandmother, and her family hated him so...they forbid Grandmother
to see him. They had made plans to runaway together but Grandmother
got caught leaving the house and was punished for trying to do so.
She snuck out and ran to where they were supposed to meet, but Grandfather
was not there...only a note." she said as the two of them held hands.
"And..what happened?" he replied anxious to hear the rest of the story.
"Eventually they ran off together and got married, against her parents
wishes." "Why did her parents dislike him so?" Zander asked as he
leaned forward in his seat. "I guess because he was a player of sorts
and wasn't their class of people...sound familiar?" she responded.
"Yeah, but Em...I kidnapped you...he has every right to hate me..."
"I know..but listen..Grandfather was in tears and literally broke down
by the end of the story...." she said as rose from the ottoman and sat
next to him. "Edward, crying...now that I don't believe.." he replied
shocked that Edward would be the type to break down and cry. "Zander...I'm
serious...Grandfather was in tears when I left...and I really think it
made the rest of the family realize how they are acting when it comes to
our relationship." she replied as there was a knock on the apartment
door.
"Never fails...Yes!.." Zander said as the door
opened and Antonio made himself visible in the doorway. "Sorry sir,
but Alexis is here to see you. Zander hesitated for a brief moment
and wondered what Alexis was doing at his door at 7:30 in the morning...she
was not an early bird unless it was important. "Thank you, Antonio.
Show her in." he replied as Antonio allowed Alexis to pass. Zander
had made his way across the hardwood floor to greet her as she entered
the apartment. "Good morning...you two..I picked up breakfast at
Kelly's for you.." she said as she handed him a large paper bag. "Thanks..but
to what do we owe this pleasure..." Emily asked as she rose from where
she had been sitting. "Well...I thought you should know that the
PCPD has arrested two suspects in the explosion incident at your apartment."
she replied as she removed her attaché case from her shoulder and
set it on the table behind her. "Well..that's good news right?" Zander
said as Emily removed the breakfast Alexis brought. "We're hoping
they will provide us with more pertinent information to arrest more of
Sorel's organization." she responded as Emily handed Zander a styrofoam
cup of coffee. They wandered over and took seats in the living room
as Emily opened the bottle of OJ she found in the paper bag.
Zander knew that Sorel was no longer a problem
thanks to Sonny and Jason and was really intrigued as to who else would
be connected with such a criminal organization. "Who do they think
is involved?" he asked as he sipped his coffee. "Hold on to your
hats boys and girls cause this is a doozie.." Alexis replied as a puzzled
look came over their faces..."Okay...spill it...who?" Emily replied as
she took her seat again on the ottoman next to Zander. "Commissioner
Scorpio seems to think and have circumstantial evidence that points to...."
Alexis hesitated as she noticed their anticipation to hear the name of
the person involved with the explosion. "Juan Santiago..." she replied
as she adjusted her glasses that had slid down to the end of her nose.
"Get out!...Are you serious?!" Emily replied surprised as she rose from
her seat. "But why would he do that?! What would he have to
gain by doing that? And why would he do that for Sorel..." Zander asked
as he tensed up at the thought of Juan being back in town. Alexis
noticed that by the mere mention of his name the air in the apartment became
tense.
"According to Mac...Juan was not on tour for the
last year and a half...but running Sorel's organization in Puerto Rico
with Carlos. Juan wanted revenge against you, Zander for taking Emily
away from him and he knew that Sorel would be his ticket to get the job
done. He had no idea that Sorel would disappear from the picture
before the job was done..so he took matters into his own hands and did
the job himself." she replied as concern now was evident in Zander and
Emily. "I just don't get it...Juan was not that type of person..."
Emily replied as she paced the floor. "Are they sure, Alexis?
I mean we were told that he was on tour for how long and Ned was keeping
in contact with him...how could he have pulled this off?" Zander questioned
as he too rose from his seat and walked over to be with his wife.
"Guys...I don't know. But I thought you should know what was happening
with the case." she replied as she turned to face them. "Well.. is
he still in town...do we have to worry about him coming after us again?"
Zander asked as he held Emily in his arms. "Actually, I think he
is staying low for now..if the word is on the street that two suspects
were arrested for the explosion, I'm sure he is keeping a low profile and
not bringing attention to himself." she replied as Zander stood in
thought of how he was going to proceed.
"Zander...what about Alex?" Emily asked as she
stood trying to soothe the tension. "Man!...I was supposed to spend
some quality time with my daughter and now that psycho is back in Port
Charles...there is no way I'm putting my child in danger...no way!"
he replied forcefully. "Zander...I'm not even sure Juan is in town...but
the PCPD seems to think so...he could be long gone by now." Alexis replied
as she rose from her seat. "He may not be here but he may have Sorel's
people out there gunning for me again...or Emily." Zander replied in a
panic. "Zander..calm down...I know your concerned for everyone's
safety and the most you can do is stiffen up the guards and stay alert.
I know it's a difficult situation again but...." Alexis replied as Zander
cut her off. "God..why is this happening to us again?!..he replied
as he ran his hands through his hair as the tension and stress has
now brought on a major headache. He felt his blood pressure rising
as he thought about the situation and what he was going to have to do.
Zander had created his own group of guards to protect he and Emily as they
were out and about Port Charles, from drivers to body guards...Zander was
now the boss of his own group of men. He no longer had to report
to Sonny for everything he needed...he used his own judgment and did what
he thought was best. He thought long and hard what to do next and
he need to calm down to make a rational decision about his next move.
Alexis wandered towards them as she stood closer
to Emily and tried to comfort her as Zander paced the floor thinking.
"Emily...are you okay?" Alexis asked as she turned toward her. "Yeah...I'm
fine...I'm worried about Zander...he has so much on his mind..with Alex
and Steph back in his life now and trying to operate things on his own
now without Sonny and I'm due any day now..." Emily replied with concern.
"I know...dear..I know.." Alexis replied as she embraced Emily to comfort
her as Alexis noticed her eyes welled with tears.
As Zander looked at his watch he noticed it was
getting close to time to pick up Alex. He made a few phone calls
to add more guards to Emily and to himself as Alexis grabbed her attaché
case and said her good byes. Tension and concern still filled
the air as Emily drank the rest of her OJ and sat thinking about what all
this meant. This being the newest situation with Juan. She
didn't understand why he would do such a thing. He never let her
see any other side to him, she really didn't think he had it in him.
There were no signs of jealousy, resentment or hatred toward Zander or
herself. She hadn't noticed anything about Juan that would make her
think any different of him. Actually she didn't think he was that
smart to pull something like this off...music was his life, why would he
go back to working for Sorel if he didn't have any intentions other than
going after Zander. She didn't think he would hurt her in any way,
but she knew he had his opinions about the relationship between her and
Zander and pretty much spoke it freely to her or anyone that would listen
to it. It was just way out there to believe.
"Okay...I stepped up the guards on you..so if
you go anywhere...I mean anywhere you take two guards with you at all times.
I can't leave anything to chance here..." Zander said as he moved slowly
towards her. "Okay...I hope they like shopping, cause Elizabeth and
I have plans to go shopping this afternoon..." she said with a grin.
"Em..I'm serious. I need you to listen to me...please. You
are my wife and you are carrying something very special to me..and I love
you so much..I wouldn't know what I'd do if something happened to you or
the baby." he replied as he placed his hand on her belly. "I know...and
I love you too. I promise I will be careful and I will not give the
boys the slip this time...I swear." she replied as she looked up at him
and grinned. "You better not, or I'll put you under house arrest...."
he replied jokingly. "Handcuffs..." she said teasingly. "You
are so bad..I swear." he replied as he held her close and leaned down to
kiss her sweet lips. As their mouths met in a tender morning kiss,
the apartment door opened and Antonio became visible in the doorway.
"Sir..." Antonio said as they stood in the foyer
embracing. "Now..what?" Zander replied a little agitated. "Sir..it's
time to go pick up Alex..." Antonio replied. "Okay...give me minute
to change..." Zander said as he noticed he wasn't ready to go out in public.
"Sure...hollar when you're ready.." Antonio replied as he shut the door.
Zander kissed Emily lightly again before they ascended up the stairs to
the bedroom to get dressed. "I do hope you enjoy your visit today
with Alex....you need to know your daughter and I hope you get the chance
to be a daddy to her..." Emily replied as she began unbuttoning the silk
pajama top. "Thanks....I hope I can too..." he added as he slipped
on one of his new silk shirts that he had hanging in the closet.
Emily stood in front of the full length mirror and glared at her reflection
as Zander buttoned up his shirt. She never thought when she was working
at Kelly's that someday her and Zander would be married, living in a penthouse,
and standing in front of a mirror with Zander's baby due any day now.
It felt like she was dreaming and she could wake up anytime now.
They had been so happy together for so long and she just wanted to keep
it that way. She didn't need Steph to cause trouble between them
and she didn't need Juan trying to kill them either. "Emily...are
you alright.." Zander asked as he noticed her staring at herself
in the mirror. "Yeah, hun..I'm fine...just thinking..." she replied
as she caressed her half naked body. "About what...." he asked as
he slowly walked towards her. He thought to himself how beautiful
she was standing there in only her bra and pajama bottoms. He loved
how she looked at eight months pregnant...although she thought she was
fat. He told her everyday that she was beautiful not fat...he hoped
that she took his words to heart. "About how things have turned out
for us...married, having a baby, living here in a plush penthouse..and
how fat I look..ya know the usual." she replied as she turned around to
face him. "Oh...hunny, your not fat!.." he said softly. "Yes
I am...look at me..none of my clothes fit any more..I have to buy clothes
it seems like every week...I'm fat...fat I tell you.." she replied with
a sigh. "Emily....you are not...I think you are beautiful and more
and more everyday..." Zander replied as he tried to soothe her self conscious
thoughts. "If you say so...ugh." she replied as she wandered towards
the dresser of drawers. "I do say so...and I am going to tell you
that everyday that we are together...cause it is true." he replied as he
slipped his shoes on. He made his way towards the bedroom door and
hesitated. He turned around and looked at her once more before leaving
to pick up Alex. "Come here..." he said as he opened his arms to
her. She quickly rushed into his arms as he wrapped his strong arms
around her and held her close. "I love you...Em...and I always will,
you can believe that..." he said as she felt his heart beating through
his silk shirt. "I know...and I love you too..." she replied.
"You better get going you don't want to be late to pickup Alex." she added.
With that said Zander released his hold on her and gently kissed her soft
lips. "Go...your daughter is waiting.." she said as she pulled back
her kiss. "I'm going..and don't forget to take along the guards today...I
need you to be protected...don't give them the slip.." he said seriously.
"I know..and I won't forget...I swear..." she replied as she crossed her
heart. "Now go...." she added as he hesitated in going down the short
flight of stairs.
Emily counted to herself till she heard the apartment
door close tightly. She took a deep breath and slipped on the clothes
she had lying on the bed. As she made her way down the stairs, she
heard the phone ringing in the living room. She quickly reached for
the phone as it rang for the third time. "Hello.." she said trying
to catch her breath. "Emily....it's Elizabeth. Am I interrupting
something.." she inquired. "No..I was just getting dressed and had
to rush to get the phone.." Emily replied knowing what Elizabeth was hinting
at. "Is Zander home?..." Elizabeth asked hoping he wasn't....cause
it give them time to talk about things...girl things. "Uh, no he
just left..I don't expect him back for a few hours....why..you wanna come
over..?" Emily asked as she got excited about seeing her best friend.
"Sure...I'll be there in a few..." she replied. "Great...I'll see
you in a little bit.." Emily replied and than hung up the phone.
Emily opened the door of the apartment and peered
out into the hallway for Antonio and noticed him standing by the elevator.
He noticed her too and slowly walked towards her as she opened the door
a little farther. "I just wanted to let you know that Elizabeth Spencer
is coming by in a few minutes...please show her in when she arrives." she
said as he drew closer. Antonio nodded as to her request and returned
to his post by the elevator. Emily closed the apartment door and
reached for the phone that sat on the table next to the door. If
she was expecting company...she needed food. Besides she was hungry
and the baby left her know it. She called down to the restaurant
that was located on the first floor and asked if they could deliver two
ham and cheese club sandwiches with pickles to 2020P. She thanked
them and hung up the phone. She better make sure Antonio knows some
one is coming with the delivery. She returned to the open hallway
to tell him about the delivery and he noticed her in the doorway.
"Maam..." he said as he turned and looked at her. "I ordered lunch
for me and Elizabeth...it should be coming up shortly..okay.." she said
as she held the door open with her hand. "I'll be sure to bring in
as soon as it arrives.." "Thanks!..." she replied as she slowly closed
the door.
Emily wandered over and sat on the sofa in the
living room with her back to the door as she thought about what Alexis
had said earlier that morning. Zander was so worried about her and
the baby, he didn't need anything else to think about right now.
Sonny had taught him well, but he didn't teach how to stay so calm through
tense situations...Sonny had just said it takes practice.
**********************************************************************************************
Zander and his guards made their way to the PC
Hotel to pick up Alex and take her to the park. He was hesitant about
being out in the open with her...but he promised. He and his guards
were alert to their surroundings and would protect her at all costs.
The four men entered the PC Hotel and made their way to Steph's room as
many people in the lobby noticed his entourage walking with him.
They took the elevator the floor where they were staying. Zander
was thinking only of his daughter at the moment and expected his guards
to worry about protecting the two of them while they were out.
Zander found the room at the end of a long hallway
and hesitated before he knocked on the door. Zander raised his closed
hand and knocked on the door with a light tap. The door opened and
he stood face to face with Steph once again. She wore a pair of those
jeans he loved so much and a very vibrant red sweater with a low cut front.
Zander was thinking she had was wearing what she was wearing for him...on
purpose. He could tell from her letter and their meeting yesterday
that the purpose for her coming to Port Charles was not only for Alex's
sake but for her as well. He wanted so badly to put the past behind
him but she had come into his life once again and all the memories of their
time together came rushing back. He didn't want them to, but they
did and with a vengeance. There was no way on this God's green earth
he was going to mislead her into thinking there was a chance, because there
wasn't...he's married to the woman he loves and he would never do anything
to jeopardize what they have.
"Alex is expecting you...Alex." Steph said as
she moved towards the bedroom door. "Great...is she ready to go..."
Zander asked as Steph opened the door. "Alex....daddy's here.." she
said as she entered the room where Alex had been watching television.
It took no more than a few seconds before his little girl came running
out and grabbed onto his legs. "Hey there sweetheart...you ready
to spend the day in the park?" he asked as he scooped her up in his arms.
"I missed you..." he added as he gave her a kiss on her cheek. "I
missed you too...daddy.." she replied as Steph started to put on her coat.
"Mommy...you going with us.." Alex asked as Steph zipped up her coat.
"Well..I guess so..if it's okay with your daddy that I tag along.." Steph
replied as she glanced at Zander. "Yeah..sure...that's fine with
me." he replied as he got a little nervous about her standing that close
to him again. "Let me just grab my coat..." she said as she reached
for it behind him on the coat rack by the door. Zander knew he had
to stop thinking what he was thinking. It was like it was yesterday
that they were living in Florida and spending time as a family...he had
enough to worry about with Emily, he didn't need anything else to have
invade his thoughts...he needed to be there for Alex and nothing more.
As soon as they had everything they needed they
headed out the door and down to the lobby where the car was waiting for
them outside. Steph was just amazed at what became of him...limos,
nice suits, and everything was so different..but Alex was the same man.
He was kind, generous, protective, and strong....she remembered him being
so protective of them when they were living in Florida. And he was
the same way still. She knew when he left Florida, she would never
forget him and would never stop loving him. She just hoped he would
do the same. She knew he was married and a child on the way, but
she couldn't help the feelings that came rushing back when they were reunited
yesterday. It felt so natural for them to be a family...a family
once again.
Zander's guards followed them down to the car
and waited for them to climb in before closing the door of the limo.
Zander gave instructions to the driver that they were headed to the park.
It only took a few minutes for them to pull up alongside the park in the
center of town. He sat there a few moments hoping that things would
go well today...he needed this..he needed to spend some quality time with
Alex. She needed him and he was so happy he could be a part of her
life once again.
The driver sat behind the wheel and didn't flinch
while Zander opened the door to step out of the car. He held the
door for Steph as she unbuckled Alex from the seat belt she was strapped
in. As soon as Alex was in her mother's arms, Zander closed the door
and wrapped his arm around them as they walked towards the swings.
It was habit and didn't realize he was doing so until Steph gave him one
of her smiles. He quickly removed his arm from her waist as they
approached the swings. The park wasn't to full of people which was
good, cause his guards wouldn't have any distractions. As Alex laughed
and enjoyed her time on the swings, Zander looked at his watch and noticed
it was after noon. "Anyone hungry?.." he asked as he stood and watched
his daughter having a good time. "Sure..." Steph replied as she pushed
Alex in the swing. Zander motioned for one the guards to come over
to fetch some hot dogs from the mobile vendor he saw when they entered
the park. He took some money from his pocket and gave it to Frank
who stood beside him and told him to get three hot dogs..two with mustard
and one plain. Frank nodded as he turned and walked away.
"You remembered..." she said as she took a seat
in the swing next to Alex. "Of course I remembered...you always ate
hot dogs with mustard...you think I'd forget..." he said as she smiled
at him and leaned back in her seat as her hair fell back and way from her.
"I just figured you didn't think about the past that much lately...ya know
with your wife and all..." Steph replied as she tried to get the swing
going in a forward motion. "I think about it from time to time.."
he replied as he walked behind her and gave her a soft push to get the
momentum going of the swing. "Me too...." she said as she laid her
head back and looked up at him with a grin. "Steph...there are a
few things we need to talk about..." he said as he placed his hands above
hers on the chains of the swing and slowed it down to a complete stop.
He glanced over and noticed Alex was certainly enjoying herself swinging
along side. "Yeah, I kinda figured that..." she replied as she twisted
herself and the chain around to face him. "Look...I love spending
time with Alex..I really do and I appreciate you taking the time to bring
her to see me...but...." Zander said as he knelt down and looked into her
eyes. Just than he noticed Frank approaching with hot dogs in hand
and hesitated with his thought. "Thanks..." he replied as he took
the hot dogs from Frank's hands. "Sure...anything else sir..."
Frank replied as he stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. "No...that's
it for now...." Zander replied as he handed Steph her hot dog. Steph
unwound the chain as she turned around and sat waiting for him to finish
his thought he started. Zander took hold of the chains on the swing
Alex was in and stopped it completely before he helped Alex down from the
swing. "Let's walk..." he said as he took Alex's hand. Steph
followed him over to one of the picnic tables that sat close by.
Zander sat down the food on the table and picked up Alex and sat her down
on the table as Steph straddled the bench. He did the same and faced
her with Alex sitting between them. Steph assisted Alex with eating
her hot dog as Zander kept alert to his surroundings.
"But...what..." Steph asked as she brushed the
crumbs off her hands. "But...I'm married now to Emily and I love
her so much..we have been through alot together and I have no intentions
of hurting her." he replied as he looked into her green eyes. The
same green eyes that made him melt every time he looked at her. "Alex...I
know..and I'm sorry if this is uncomfortable for you...I really am..but
right now at this very moment..I am trying so hard not to lean over and
kiss you...." she replied as her words drifted off. The two of them
straddling the bench as they were, their knees were only inches apart as
Steph drifted closer to him. He was taken back by her being so forward
and he didn't want to have happen what she obviously wanted. At that
moment she raised her hand and brushed the side of his face, following
his jaw line with her index finger. He needed to stop this now before
they said or did something they would regret. It seemed things were
not going as he planned...it was becoming a situation that he certainly
did not want to be in. Zander reached up and took her hand in his
as she drifted closer to him. Her knees had now nudged his out of
the way as she moved herself closer. He was becoming very uncomfortable
with her being so close to him....he knew his feelings towards her could
be nothing more than a love for the mother of his child. "Steph...we
can't..." he said softly has she reached up with her free hand and placed
it on the nape of his neck as she drew him closer to her. "Can't
what...." she whispered. With that said...she brushed his lips lightly
with hers as she felt him give in to it. It took only a brief moment
before he pulled back and looked at her with regret. He knew in his
heart that this should not happen...but as he sat with her so close to
him, he cupped her face in his hands. "God...I want to...and it is
so wrong for me to want to..." he said as he noticed his wedding band on
his left hand. "Alex..." she said breathless. "No...we can't
do this..this can not happen..." he said again as if to try to convince
himself that this was wrong.
In a few brief moments, he had thought of doing
wrong and almost given in to what could of been. He knew he couldn't
resist temptation much longer and needed to remove himself from the situation.
Zander stood up and walked a few feet from the table as he ran his hands
through his black hair. "What am I thinking...." he said as he leaned
his head back and closed his eyes for a brief moment. Steph sat on
the bench and watched him as he pondered what to do next. He turned
around and stood for a moment looking at a family that could of been.
A family that once was...he had a new life, a new family he loved so much.
Emily and the new baby were what mattered, but Alex was his too and he
needed to make sure that she didn't come to him in a package deal.
Steph stood and walked closer to him as he watched
Alex playing with her napkin at the table. As she drew closer he
was feeling more and more uncomfortable about this. "Relax..." she
said as she wrapped her arms around him. "Steph...I can't...really..."
he replied as he pulled back from her. "Alex...we need you....I need
you.." she replied as he turned away from her. Frank had come into
view and Zander motioned for him to come over. Frank quickly walked
towards them as Steph picked up Alex. "Would you take Alex back to
the car...we'll be right there..." Zander asked as Frank stood in front
of him. "Sure...not a problem.." he replied as he passed by Zander
and took Alex from Steph. "Thanks ... " Zander replied as Frank walked
back towards the car.
"Steph...I need for you to listen..." Zander said
as he turned to her and took her hand in his. "Okay..I'm listening..."
she replied as she tightened her grip on his hand. "There are many
things about my life that you do not know and I prefer to keep it that
way...at least for now. Ya see this.." he said as he showed her his
wedding band. "Yeah...so.." she replied as she glanced at the gold
band his was wearing. "I love my wife..deeply and I have promised
her to love her, honor her, and to cherish her for life. This means
that we can't go back to the way it used to be...Steph, we can't be a family...now,
I love Alex..I really do. And I love you as the mother of my child..but
nothing more. I want to be a part of Alex's life as long as you will
let me, but we can never go back to the way it was. We just can't."
he replied as they stood under one of the many oak trees in the park.
"Okay...fine..if we can't go back than we can't
go back...but what do we do with the feelings that we have for each other..and
don't tell you didn't feel them rushing back a few moments ago..." she
replied as she took her seat again on the bench. "I don't know...and
I know that isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but for now...that's all
I got." he replied as he seemed to be drawn to her. As he stood before
her, she rose once again and he wrapped his arms around her and held her
close. He couldn't believe this was happening..it was the last thing
he wanted to have happen...he couldn't resist..as his feelings of his past
with her over came him. They stood a few moments embracing as she
looked up at him and before he knew it she kissed him softly again with
a more feeling than the first. He pulled back and released the kiss...."Come
on..Alex is waiting in the car with Frank...." he said softly as their
embrace was released. "Okay..." she replied as she took his hand
in hers.
He released his grip from her hand as they walked
back towards the car. She felt him pull away from her just like he
used to do when things were getting way to uncomfortable for him.
She knew him so well....at least she used to.
As they walked back towards the car, he tried to convince himself of what
had just happened was so wrong....he was so wrong for feeling what he was
feeling. He needed to go back and hold his wife in his arms...he
needed Emily. He had to deny the feelings he once had for Steph
and let them go. He just didn't know how.
Chapter
16