An Affair To Remember: Why are you here?

by tarskeewee08

Evangeline felt her husband reach for her in the night. She allowed him into her bed hoping she could force the latest urges to leave him away. He made love to her slow and tenderly and she smiled and tried to respond back, ultimately faking an orgasm just to end it. Now he was coming back for seconds and she just didn't want to pretend anymore.

He spooned her and slid his arms around her waist. Not moving she felt him kiss her bare shoulder and regretted that she lay with him naked. If he tried to make love to her again she would scream. God help her, she just wanted to sleep.

"I am so glad to have you back Van, I've missed you so much" he said moving his hand up to her breast. He watched her sleep and smiled to be on track with her. He wanted her desperately now but when she slept she was an Angel. Lying back on his pillow he sighed deeply and closed his eyes.

Evangeline opened her eyes when he let go and laid behind her. She thought about her time in Cambridge again. She lost a lot that winter and swore to never revisit that mixture of joy and pain again.

She actually exercised him out of her system and forgot his face and name. Then he comes here after all these years and she can't figure out what to make of it. Thinking about him at the party and the way he watched her she smiled. He was an asshole but for that brief moment long ago he was her asshole.

Now she was lying under her husband trying to salvage a marriage she didn't want. Reminiscing over a love she felt never had chance to thrive. Closing her eyes she drifted back to her memories, back to when she was Evangeline Williamson and a certain blue eyed Irish prince had captured her heart.

England 1991

"What is wrong with you Van?" Ming asked looking across from her meatloaf on her tray at Evangeline who just stirred her mash potatoes around with her fork. Watching her friend she saw her blink several times to keep from crying.

Dropping her fork and looking at Ming with tears in her eyes she spoke in a low whisper "I was told by Greyston that my internet sources cannot be used in my capstone. Some of the most major reference points I've gathered are through those sources…what am I going to do Ming?"

Ming reached across the table and touching her friend's hand. She'd read the outline of her friends capstone and it was rock solid without those sources. She may be frustrated over some of the rework but there was also something else at play. "What's really bothering you Van?"

Evangeline looked into her friends eyes and fought back the tears. She felt like an idiot for feeling so lost and desperate over a man she barely knew. "He didn't ask for my phone number and it's been three days. He hasn't tried to contact me."

Ming cut her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. Evangeline was brilliant at her studies but so lost when it came to matters of her heart. She hid from relationships because she didn't know how to maneuver through them. Ming felt bad for even putting her in a situation where she would be so trusting and get hurt. Sam had been to the dorm twice trying to get Ming to go back out with him but she had no time for that type of triviality, telling him so.

"I can ask Sam the next time he appears for his number for you." Ming said touching her hand.

Evangeline shook her head "No, it is what it is….I get that. I just thought he was different you know special."

"Evangeline you're the one that's special. He's just some dude we picked up in a bar."

Evangeline winced at her friend's dosage of the truth, although she knew she was right.

"Now let's talk about these Internet sources you lost. Maybe I can put you on the path of some of the sources I used."

"No I couldn't Ming, this is for the grant." Evangeline said shaking her head
Ming chuckled "Girl you ain't getting that grant how many times do I have to tell you that!" she said rolling her neck.

They laughed and Evangeline felt much better, spending the rest of the dinner chatting about their research and the opportunity to further their education at Oxford if they won the grant. They wished secretly that the grant could be split in two because they knew inside it would come down to one of them in the final decision. Neither wanted to be separated from the other.

Hearing their student guide come in and announce that bus was out front to take the students back. Evangeline put her paperwork she had retrieved to show Ming back in her backpack. Rising she put on her thick lamb lined jacket and gloves before dumping her tray and then venturing out into the cool wind.

She was exhausted and planned to get a full 8 hours sleep when she returned to the dorm. Listening to Ming go on and on about the missed opportunity she had on her economic review on Greenspan latest prediction of the economy under the Regan years, Evangeline laughed and argued her points that Regan never listened to Greenspan that's what created the recession of the eighties.

"Evangeline!"

Stopping in their tracks on the sidewalk next to the bus, they saw him across the street on a motorcycle. He wore a thick black leather jacket and gloves with a pair of jeans. Taking off his helmet his long hair blew from his face and those sapphire blue eyes fixed on her. Ming looked at Evangeline expectantly, knowing that the arrival of her Irish prince would make her happy. She hated that she was standing there looking like a book worm with her glasses and thick turtleneck. Her was back in a tight braided bun, she looked like a school marm without her makeup.

He rode the motorcycle over and she looked at him in his leather jacket with black combat boots and smiled. Ming patted her on the back then shot him a hateful look for waiting so long to contact her friend, before turning to board the bus with the other students.

Evangeline walked over "I thought you forgot about me."
"How could I forget about my sunshine…" he said softly.
"What's with the motorcycle…aren't the roads icy?" She asked pointing at the silver and black bike he rode.

"Hop on let's go for a ride." He said passing her a helmet.
"I can't….I need too…" Evangeline said looking at the last students boarding the bus to leave.
"I'll take you back I promise."

Waiving to the student guide to let her know she won't be returning with them. She pulled off her glasses and put them in her backpack. Then dropping the backpack and helmet she quickly undid her bun behind her head and brought her hair around her shoulders. Picking up the helmet she put it on and he smiled at her. Slipping on her backpack she climbed on behind him.

He put his helmet back on and turned and looked at her "You ready!"
"Yes!" she said slipping her arms around his waist and resting her feet on the foot pedals on either side. He started the bike up and zoomed off cutting across the bus's path to the main road. Evangeline screamed at his reckless speed and squeezed her eyes shut to scared to say anything to him. He navigated the roads expertly but she was keenly aware of the ice on roads they traveled on.

Why on earth she agreed to this she had no idea. After several miles she opened her eyes and loosened her grip on him. Lifting her head she looked at the landscaping and villages they passed. She had no idea where they were going but it was evident it wasn't her dorm. The winter air hit her face making stealing her breath and forcing her to bury it into his shoulder. He kept up his speed and she prayed that they would get there soon, this wasn't what she had in mind when she longed to be with him again.

"Where are we going?" she yelled over his shoulder
"It's a surprise!" he yelled back

Looking up into the grey sky she felt somewhat liberated by the joy ride with her mysterious suitor. Turning off the road to a winding path she saw a beautiful cathedral with large pointed pillars reaching to the sky. The front was triangular and cylinder shaped while the sides stretched outward into a block shaped infrastructure. The building was warm beige color giving away its age. Slowing down as they approached the old church Evangeline looked at the wild vines growing up the side even in this brisk winter. John knocked off the kickstand to his bike and turned it off, then pulled off his helmet looking upward.

Evangeline unsnapped the strap to her helmet and pulled it from her head as well. The front was surrounded by a block gate and it circled the entire perimeter of the church. Looking up she saw the large bell at the top and was reminded of the hunch back of Notre Dame swinging from it in her Disney movies.

"Isn't it beautiful" he asked

"Yes…." She said softly wondering how old it was.

Getting off the motorcycle he helped her and immediately pulled her into his arms. Running his gloved hand through her wild wavy hair he pulled her into a heated kiss that warmed her. His tongue flicked in and out of her mouth and she clung to him excited to be in his arms again.

Letting her go he kissed her again lightly on the lips and then turned and pointed at the church "This is where my grandmother was married before she was whisked away to Ireland." He said proudly

"Oh?"

"She brought me here often as a young lad, I have nothing but fond memories of this place." He said grabbing her hand and walking her around the large stone gate. She allowed herself to be pulled with her backpack flapping behind her secured on her shoulder. She was glad she wore her thermals and thick lamb lined jacket, this winter adventure was much more bearable this way.

Feeling her lips chap from the dry weather she licked them and smiled with him leading her to a destination unknown. Coming to a side entrance of the gate he pushed it and it creaked open. Following him inside he took her to what she assumed in the spring would be a beautiful garden. The fountain in the middle with a marble carved saint dressed in a monks robe didn't sprout any water but was still breathtaking to behold. Letting his hand go she went to it and touched the cold stone that circled it with her gloved hand.

"I wanted you to see some places you might not experience during your time here in Cambridge."

She looked back at him. "Thank you John, this really is nice."

He smiled and gave her a guided tour explaining the history of this place. She listened to his deep smoky Irish voice and fell deeper under his spell. For the next week and a half he came often after class or in the middle of the night for a different adventure. He made love to her in his castle and whispered of her beauty always calling her his sunshine. When asked why he referred to her in that way, he said the first time she appeared in the pub with that bright exotic smile, she warmed something in him that he thought was cold and nonexistent inside.

She didn't understand the reference and pried more but he changed the subject. You would think with all the time they spent together even sometimes accompanied by Ming and Sam she would know more about his life.

Well she didn't.

He never told her what he even majored in at Oxford. When she told him that if she got the grant she would be attending school there with him, his face darkened and he ignored the comment. She was too happy to be with him to notice but the writing was on the wall, for whatever reasons their days were numbered. Instead she put even more energy into completing her capstone and finishing her course work determined to be with her prince.

Ming saw her glow and warned her that they were just having fun. The man wasn't seriously interested in her. But Evangeline dismissed Ming's concern; she knew in her heart it was real. She felt loved and desired under his touch.

She caught him staring at her when he thought she wasn't looking. To her he was in love. The last night before he disappeared, she opened her eyes in plush bed to find him leaning over her staring.

"I have really enjoyed our time together, you have awakened things in me I didn't believe was possible Evangeline,"

She reached up and touched his face "I am glad we met too John."

"I hope you get your grant. I pray you get everything you want from life, love."

Evangeline frowned at his cryptic words "Is something wrong?"

He smiled sweetly and leaned in for a kiss ignoring her question. She kissed him back and gave herself to him again. This time he was even gentler than before, as if he was trying to burn each part of her body to his memory. Spending extra time on her neck, breast and even navel he stopped during their love making and gazed into her face. Before climaxing she saw his eyes sparkle with what she thought was the making of tears. He whispered in her ear but she couldn't make out what he was saying his accent so thick and desire so heavy in his words. Instead she held on as he pushed her over the edge and brought her back.

The next morning he took her back to school and she told him of the places she wanted to go to. He winked at her then kissed her tenderly. It was the last time she saw him.

When he didn't call or come by for two days, she had Ming contact Sam to find out where he was. Sam reluctantly told her that he left for Dublin and wasn't returning. Evangeline was crushed. Her world came crashing around her. She spent two days in bed crying, unable to get through with her studies, eat or think.

She tried desperately to find her John Thomas but no one knew of him. Taking a cab to the castle it was locked up tight. She went to a neighboring village and asked if there was a contact number for the Thomas family. The old English woman frowned and looked out her door the castle on the hill and told her that the castle did not belong to the Thomas family. She knew of no Thomas family. Person after person she encountered around spoke as if he didn't exist.

Sam told her that he couldn't help and she begged Ming to force him. Ming tried to console her but agreed with Sam, he wasn't worth effort. It was like they were all in on some secret and she wasn't. She screamed and fought with her best friend finally collapsing in tears. How could it all be for nothing? Was she really that gullible? Ming warned her constantly that her romance was nothing more than some cad getting his jollies off on some hot black American woman. She was right.

Regaining some self control she swallowed her heartache and finished her research. When she submitted it for review she and Ming went out to celebrate. Evangeline searched the local pub wishing he would appear but he didn't. Her heart was shattered and her pain turned to bitterness. Two days later she discovered that Ming won the grant and would be doing her continuation at Oxford. She was happy for her friend, and at this point could careless about her dreams. She just wanted to leave the country and return home.

When Ming took her to the airport she held her hand kissing her cheek. "Evangeline, promise to write me and come back. Promise we will remain friends forever."

She smiled and nodded. "Ming will you make me a promise?"

Ming touched her friends face affectionately; she knew her spirit was broken and it killed her that she suffered from that type of heartache. "Anything…"

Evangeline reached in her bag and pulled out an envelope. "When you get to Oxford and if you see him, will you give him this letter?"

Ming looked down at the letter hesitantly "I think its best left unsaid Van, he doesn't deserve your heart or pain. Just forget about him."

"Please Ming…just give it to him okay."

She accepted the letter. "I promise"

Evangeline let her tears fall and hugged her friend tightly, part of them knew they would never see each other again.

Looking back at her friend while going to the counter she saw her blow a final kiss goodbye. She waved sadly and left England behind.

Present

Sitting at her desk looking at the financial report from their West Coast division she frowned at the inconsistencies. Mark Davison said the previous comptroller was responsible for adhering to the budget and the figures weren't right. Reaching for her phone to call him to set up another meeting, she glanced up to see him standing in her door watching her.

Her hand froze and shook at the sight of him. She still couldn't get over how he changed. The goatee was new and his hair was shorter, but those eyes remained the same.

"Am I interrupting sunshine?"

Placing the phone back on the receiver she swallowed "Come in John."

He closed the door and stepped into the middle of her office. Evangeline pushed from her desk and adjusted her lavender suit; she wore her hair loose hanging beyond her shoulders it swayed lightly as she took cautious steps around the desk toward him.

His eyes admired her in the familiar way he always did. He kept his hands behind his back and she saw him taking her all in. She stood before him silent feeling as if she was 20 again with a young woman's crush. After all these years his presence still evoked raw emotion in her.

No wonder she chose to forget, to hold onto their brief encounter would force her into a deep sense of regret and loss over a love she was denied. Know wonder her marriage wasn't fulfilling, even before the affair. No man had done to her what her Irish Prince had.

"What's with the games Mr. McBain?" she asked staring heatedly at him.
"Games?"
"You know exactly what I mean…"
"No, I think you bloody well better tell me." he said confidently
Folding her arms she looked at him somewhat hurt "Why are you here!"
"I came back for you."
"What?" she asked shocked gaping at him
He stepped closer "Can we go somewhere and talk?"
"No!"
"Evangeline…."
"Who was John Thomas? Why did you lie to me about who you were, all those years ago?"

He stood silent for a moment. "There's a lot I need to tell you. I was a blimey idiot back then and it bloody well cost me something incredibly special. I want to explain it all to you, love."

"No…I don't want you in my life. I have enough complications as it is! Besides I'm a married woman. My husband is becoming a business associate of yours." she said walking around him to the door. Opening it she stood with her back to him indicating he should leave.

"I think we should table this discussion. Better yet let's just leave the past in the past. You had no problem dismissing my feelings and wants then, so allow me the pleasure of returning the favor. Take your Irishman charm somewhere else John, I'm not interested."

He walked up to her and got in her space putting his forehead to the back of hers inhaling her scent. "I let you go all those years ago for your own sake. I won't make that mistake again."

She didn't understand what he was saying but his touch tore open a wound she forgot she hand. Lowering her eyes slowly she felt him press into her and forgot why she was even fighting him.

"Evangeline, meet me at the Palace tonight around 8pm. Give me the opportunity to explain me self. If you want me to leave and have no further dealings with your husband I will oblige."

She couldn't speak she just wanted to feel his arms around her. He pulled back and she opened her eyes looking down and away from him trying to settle the butterflies in her stomach.

He walked out of the door and she closed it quickly. Pressing her back against it she sucked in her breath and tried to fight off whatever had a hold of her. Looking at her desk she saw he left a black box. She hadn't even realized he had something in his hand when he came into the room.

Walking slowly toward it she gazed at the black box with the satin black ribbon. She picked up the tiny black card and opened it.

For you sunshine, have dinner with me.

John

She dropped the card on the desk and pulled the ribbon from the box. Opening it she found another black velvet box inside. She ran her fingers over the smooth feel of it curious as to what lay inside. Using both hands she popped it open to see the emerald green and gold Faberge egg. Gasping at the sight of if she recalled how much he said it meant to him.

Turning back to the door she wondered why he would part with it for her. Looking back at the delicate egg sparkling with gold trim she flashed back to it being perched on that shelf in his master bedroom. It sparked under the light in her office and she felt her desire for him rise inside her again

She wanted to follow him to the end of the earth no matter what his reasons were for walking away from her so long ago. God help her what should she do? It was now she missed her friend from so many years ago. Smiling she closed the box. She hadn't felt this alive in years.