An Affair To Remember: A turn of events

by tarskeewee08

Evangeline tossed and turned in her bed trying to reclaim the sleep that escapes her. The wine has her head spinning and lying back is making her stomach churn, but her longing to be next to him is much more excruciating.

Sitting up she looks at her closed door. How she wishes that things were different, that they were twenty again and he had chose her in the end. Then it comes to her, things are. There's a truth that she sees and she wants to share it with him. Throwing her legs over the side of the bed she pushes herself up.

Walking to the door she's wearing nothing but a t-shirt that stops at the curve of her hips. She sees him wrapped in a blanket with no shirt on his large muscled arm hanging over the edge of the sofa bed. Tip toeing toward him she hears his light snores. She kneels down before him and touches his hair lightly. He doesn't stir.

His face is buried in his pillow turned away from her. She's grateful because to look into it would only weaken her more. Looking at his strong fingers hanging downward she gently touches his hand. Besides his voice his hands were a source or eroticism for her. To be as powerfully strong as they are whenever touched by them they are as soft as a baby's. Sighing she remembered their first time. She was so nervous and he was so in control. He made her feel like a woman and no man since has ever made her feel that way.

Why is it like this? Why does love equate pain? If he was the love of her life how can she believe that after all the lies and deceptions this is something she should trust. Running her finger over his hand he stirs and turns over. She looks up shocked to see him looking at her. "You okay?" he asked hoarsely.

Feeling foolish for kneeling at his bed her anxiety lessoned as she saw the love in his eyes for her.

"I didn't mean to wake you" she said softly

He runs his hand through his hair and sits up on his elbow looking down at her. "I'm glad you did"

She smiled still tasting the wine on her tongue which is now giving her courage. "I came out here to share something I learned today."

John looked at her curious "Okay"

"Well after spending the evening with you I realized why my heart is connected to you and your happiness."

John didn't know she was invested in his happiness. He looked at her confused, but now encouraged.
She smiled "I don't understand my happiness John, so I can't say that my truth explains that as well. But I do realize something now."

"What is it sunshine?"

"They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them. That saying is true for us. We met and fell in love so quickly neither of us knew how real it was, but neither of us could forget how special it is"

John smiled at her. He had never heard anything more beautiful. "Sleep with me tonight sunshine, let me hold you."

She nodded and rose from the floor. John pulled back the covers for her to climb in, once she lay next to him he covered her and snuggled tightly into the crook of her neck. She smelled of soap and shampoo and he wanted so much to show her in that moment how badly he needed her. Instead he kissed her cheek and fell into a blissful sleep. She was coming back to him slowly and he knew it would only be a matter of time before they were where they needed to be.

Cambridge Airport

"I'm looking for Sir John Thomas McBain" Kevin barked at the attendant staring confused behind the counter at the private airport.

"Pardon me sir? I don't know who you speak of?" she said politely looking back and forth between him and Lisa.

"Listen dammit. I know he flies in and out of this airport. Someone here knows where he took my wife!"

A thin balding man in a flight jacket and jeans came out from behind back "Is there a problem mate?"

"You damn right there's a problem. I need to know where John McBain resides."

The man looked at Kevin suspiciously and then approached the counter. "May I ask who you are chap?"

Lisa glared at him. "This is Kevin Buchanan CEO of Buchanan Enterprises. This John person has kidnapped his wife, my daughter and someone here better tell us where she is!"

The man rubbed his jaw and looked at his attendant and nodded. She smiled back at them. "Several days ago Sir McBain flew into this airport headed for the Fitzgerald Castle"

Kevin sighed relieved. "Okay where is this castle?"

"I can arrange a car for you Mr. Buchanan to take you both there right away."
Kevin nodded and walked away satisfied. The man watched him and Lisa still uneasy about their arrival. He knew John and he wouldn't dare kidnap anyone. What was this about?

"Don't worry Kevin we will find her soon" Lisa said rubbing his arm.

Kevin nodded and looked out the large glass window at the private jets landing. "Not soon enough if you ask me" he said under his breath.

John turned over to the smell of fresh coffee. Looking for her he saw she was already up. He sat up and watched her at the stove. Her scrambling eggs and moving pots caused her shirt to rise to reveal the roundness of her butt. He looked at her hair hanging down her back swaying as she moved around the kitchen and marveled at how lucky he was to have known her. Turning to bring the food to the table she saw him staring.

"Morning sleepy head"
"Morning sunshine…"
"I got breakfast ready some come on"

John got up and stretched. Going to the bathroom he relieved his bladder and brushed his teeth. Hearing a beautiful voice he rinsed and listened. Stepping into the bedroom cautiously the voice grew louder.


All is fair in love…Love's a crazy game…Two people vow to stay…In love as one they say….But all is changed with time….The future none can see….The road you leave behind….Ahead lies mystery….But all is fair in love….I had to go away….A writer takes his pen….To write the words again…That all in love is fair in love.

John stepped out of the bedroom to see her washing the pot she fixed his eggs in. Her head was slightly bowed with her hair hanging in her face, he heard her now humming and was mesmerized. She looked up at him and smiled. "Your eggs will get cold"

"I didn't know you could sing?"

Evangeline laughed "Well I don't think I will get a record contract but I like music."
John shook his head stunned "No baby you sound like an Angel….I had no idea"

She saw his amazed look and dropped the pot into the sink before drying her hands. "I think you're biased Sir John McBain" she said approaching him. Reaching him she kissed his cheek then grabbed his hand leading him to the table.

John took a seat and she sat down across from him. He began to eat never taking his eyes off her. She looked up and frowned. "What's wrong john?"
"I just keep learning new things about you every minute"
She smiled "Well tell me something that I don't know"
"You know everything" he said stuffing food in his mouth.
"Tell me about your parents"

John stopped chewing and looked at her shocked "My parents…"
Evangeline saw the look on his face and frowned "Did I say something wrong?"
He swallowed and smiled faintly at her "No…I guess not. It's a simple question."

Evangeline saw his face brighten red and his attempt to avoid her eyes. She was more than curious at the change in his demeanor by the mention of his folks. "John…I'd like to know where you come from. I don't even know if you have any siblings"

John looked into her eyes and she saw his welling with tears. Blinking them away he reached across the table and took her hand. "My mother name is Eve and my father is Thomas, they both reside in Ireland now."

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"A younger brother Michael he's a surgeon in London. He was disinherited a couple of years ago."

Evangeline saw the pain on John's face and squeezed his hand. "Why?"

"He refused to be forced into marriage. He fell in love at Oxford with a young clerk in the legal department of the school named Marcie. My mother was livid when she found out that his love interest was a commoner and demanded that Michael end the relationship. He refused and my parents blew him off."

Evangeline saw why he didn't want to tell her. His brother did what he was unable to do. He felt ashamed and guilty for being so weak. She rubbed the top of his hand with her thumb holding it tightly in hers. "Do you keep in touch with him?"

"He wants nothing to do with me…."
"Why John?"
Now his tears are more prevalent and he is looking her in the eye. "I didn't defend him. I actually did some things that I'm not proud of to force him into the choice that I was forced into. I did it because I was afraid of loosing him, but in actuality I was jealous that he was taking a stand. That he was doing what I bloody well couldn't."

Evangeline nodded "We don't pick our families John"

"I know sunshine, I wish that I had the courage that I have now. I lost so many years trying to please and live up to my pedigree."

"If you were to take me home now, how would your mother receive me?"

John burst into laughter and squeezed her hand. "She would as Ming said drop dead in a polite faint!" he said laughing. Evangeline laughed too, knowing Lisa's reaction to her dating a Prince for Ireland would be quite different.

"Well I think that you should contact your brother and make amends." She said grinning at him.

"If I can't get you to forgive me how will I get through to him?" John said sadly staring at her.

Evangeline smile faded and she looked away "I forgave you"
"Sunshine, as long as you keep me from your heart you don't. Not really"
Taking her hand away she began to eat her food. John watched her and knew that it was all about the choice. This choice was hers. After last night she was making progress in seeking out her own happiness again. But the road they were on was a long one he had to be patient and very careful.

Fitzgerald Castle

Kevin helped Lisa out of the limo, looking up at the castle he was boiling with anger. Why would his wife even come here to be with this pompous jerk?

Lisa was stunned into silence. How did Evangeline know this man? Why on earth had she never heard of him? Walking up to the front door she couldn't shake the feeling that something was at play much larger than her daughter's marriage.

After several knocks and long torturous minutes a petite Asian woman appeared at the door smiling. "Yes may I help you?"

Kevin looked her up and down. "My name is Kevin Buchanan, I've come for my wife."
Lisa watched as the color from the Asian woman's face faded. Then she realized she knew this woman. She met her years ago when cookie brought home her best friend from college. Her names was Ling…Ching…Ming?

"Ming?" Lisa said confused
"Ms Williamson how are you" she said smiling "Please come in"
Kevin looked at Lisa confused that she knew the woman and walked in. Lisa followed inside taken aback by the old Victorian décor of the foyer. She walked over to the massive paintings of Dukes and Earls that hung from the walls. She had never seen anything this grand. She thought that Llanfair was a palace….well she was wrong.

Kevin annoyed with the way Lisa drooled turned on the woman. "Where is Evangeline!"
"She's not here" Sam said coming down the hall "And you are?"
Kevin frowned "Her husband! Where is she?"

Ming put her hand up to Sam's chest to keep him from advancing further "Why don't we all go into the parlor to talk."

Kevin folded his arms. "Where's my wife!"
Lisa turned on Ming "Yes Ming what is going on? Why are you and Evangeline here? Who is this man?"

Ming introduced Sam to Evangeline's mother and husband. She directed them into the parlor. Watching Kevin closely she automatically took a dislike to him. How a man so arrogant ended up with her friend escaped her.

Evangeline came in the cottage smiling "God that was fun I haven't been riding in years"
John closed the door. "It's something special to see you on a horse."
She giggled going to the fridge and getting bottled water.

"Why don't we pick up Ming and Sam and go dancing tonight" John asked walking over to the couch and plopping down.

Evangeline drank from her bottle. "I don't know, I kind of like the solitude."
"Do you?"
Evangeline scooted further down the couch closer to him snuggling under his arm. John wrapped his arm around her pulling her close. "Let's just play it by ear. Right now I want to remain like this."

"Evangeline is out with John right now" Ming said cautiously
"Out where!" Kevin hissed.
Sam glared at Kevin "Listen here mate, I suggest you get your self together and stop yelling at me wife!" he shouted

Ming shook her head and touched her husbands arm "He's just concerned about her."
"I am more than concerned she was kidnapped!"
Lisa still walking around the parlor admiring the antiques was off in her own world taking in the extravagance of the castle.

"Evangeline said she spoke to you, she is not being held her against her will Mr. Buchanan." Ming said nicely

"I want you to take me to Evangeline…I need to speak with her." Kevin growled trying to remain calm.

Ming looked at Sam "Where did he take her?"
"I won't tell this bloke!"
"Sam!"
"No Ming! They return tomorrow anyway. I won't betray my friend."
"You'll tell me where she is if you know what's good for you!" Kevin said glaring taking a step toward him.
"The bloody hell I will!" Sam shot back.

Ming shook her head. She was trying to respect her friend's wishes, this was her husband and they couldn't control this situation any further. "Sam, if Evangeline wants to come here she will decide. Get John on the phone now!"

Evangeline reclined on the sofa with her feet in John's lap. He massaged them and each time he applied pressure at the arch of her foot her toes wiggled in excitement. Working the tension out of it she sighed. She had no idea this time with him could be so blissful. She had no idea that she could fall in love with him all over again.

His revealing his pain to her about his brother made her feel closer to him than any intimate moment shared between them. Licking her lips she thought about those intimate moments. Sighing she played each one back in her head with her eyes closed moaning under his touch.

Ring

John's cell phone rang on the coffee table. He looked at it and frowned.
Evangeline opened her eyes and looked at the phone "Maybe Ming and Sam do want to go out?" she said chuckling

John shrugged his shoulders and picked up the phone seeing it was Sam's number "What's up mate!"
"John is Evangeline with you?"
John looked over at her and winked "Of course she is!"
"Don't let her know it's me…"
"What's going on?"
"Her husband is here and he's demanding to see her."

John's heart began to pound in his chest. He looked over at Evangeline and she smiled at him "Who is it?" she asked grinning……