An Affair To Remember: Why didn't you tell me?

by tarskeewee08

3 Months Later

John sat in his office going over his latest report. He had just gotten word from Sam that Ming was pregnant and he planned to fly to London later that day to join them. Going over the last of his contracts the phone rang.

"Yes"
"We have a visitor to see you sir"
John looked at his watch. He didn't have time for this today. "I don't have time"
"This person says it's important."
John shrugged "Okay send them up."

John couldn't imagine who it was and didn't even bother to ask. He never remembered names or faces lately. Closing his file folder he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in"
He looked up surprised. "What in bloody hell are you doing here?"
Kevin smiled at John and walked in. "I was actually in the country dealing with this blasted merger I can't seem to get out of and decided to pay a visit to my business partner."

John frowned. It hurt him deeply that he hadn't heard from Evangeline since she called that night. He held to his word and didn't contact her. Reading in the paper of her divorce he was positive she would come to him but still nothing. "I don't have time for this"

Kevin closed the door. "So she hasn't contacted you?"
John glared at him and said nothing.
Kevin slipped his hands in his pockets. "I guess we both lost in the end hunh?"
"Don't compare what I had with her to your marriage!"
Kevin shook his head "We are more a like than you think, which is why she chose to go on without us."

"I don't agree!" John said pushing away from her desk. "I loved her. I don't think you ever did."

Kevin stared at him. "Oh I did, the problem is that I didn't realize it until I signed away my life with her. Now with her gone I'm left to think of my loss every day. I guess since you had the same fate when you let her go 14 years ago you would understand what I mean."

John folded his arms. He did understand that pain. He still lived it. For weeks after he returned to Dublin he spent his time in a fog. The pain subsided then intensified then subsided in constant waves. It was never ending.

"You learn to live with it." He said dryly.

Kevin waked over to the large window in his office facing the city. "I guess you do" he said sadly.

John looked at him curious "Is she still in Llanview?"
Kevin turned around puzzled. "You really don't know do you?"
"Know what?"
"She lives in London."

John mouth dropped open. "She what?"
"She moved to London a month ago. Has a friend there by the name of Ming….your friend right?"

John felt his throat go dry. He had no idea that Ming was in contact with her. Why on earth would she not say anything? "I didn't know"
"Well, I have a flight to catch. I thought I'd come here to get some kind of satisfaction but I feel none. Good Luck to you Sir McBain." Kevin said sauntering out.

John still speechless watched him leave. He looked at his watch and wrapped up his work. He had to get to London; Ming had some explaining to do.

London England later that night

"Uncle John! Uncle John!" the twins screamed when he walked through the door
John marveled at how big they were. He pulled out his gifts for them and they took them running off. Sam came out in the walkway smiling. "Guess the excitement is over now that you gave them their presents eh."

"Guess so!" John said taking off his jacket smiling.
Sam took the jacket from him hanging it on the hook. "How was your flight?"
"Uneventful….where's the new mommy?"
Sam pointed down the hall "Kitchen"
John headed straight for her. He couldn't get what Kevin said out of his head. "How could Ming not tell him?"

Ming was cooking at the stove humming when he walked in. "Hey you!"
She turned around. "John!" she smiled going over and leaping into his arms. He laughed picking her up and hugging her tightly. Lowering her he kissed her cheek.

"You look great as always"
"I got a bone to pick with you Ming?"
She frowned "What? What did I do?"
"Why didn't you tell me that Evangeline lived in London?"

"Who told you that? Did she contact you?"
John shook his head sadly. "No, why didn't you tell me?"
"John she's trying to get her life in order, it wasn't for me to tell"
"So getting her life in order means staying away from me?"
"It has nothing to do with you….'
"Ming you know I love her. You know how destroyed I've been over these months."
Ming touched his face. "I know I do, and I told her that"

His eyes lit up "What did she say?"
Ming wiped her hands on her apron. "Can you go out on the patio and get a choice of wine from the wine rack for us." She said avoiding the question.

John watched her walk away and felt crushed. Apparently Evangeline wasn't ready to deal with him. Swallowing his pain again and trying not to let it show he turned to go and get the wine for dinner. Sam saw him leaving the kitchen and frowned "You okay mate?"

"Fine" he said dryly walking out.

Stepping into the dark deck that was surround by large glass windows he went to the small shelf in the corner that held the wine. Pulling a choice he thought about merlot for the night as oppose to cabernet.

"Hello John"
Turning around he almost dropped the bottle in surprise. Stepping out of the shadows she appeared smiling at him. She wore her hair straight and it was darker and longer than he remembered. Standing in a lavender v-neck long sleeve sweater and curve fitting tight khaki pants she was beautiful to him. He watched as she pushed her hair behind her left ear revealing her gold hoop earring.

"Aren't you going to say hello?" she asked seductively.
"Hi…" was all he was able to choke out.
She smiled and came closer. "It's good to see you again"

John said nothing watching her approach. Every step she took toward him made his heart beat faster. She saw his nervousness and her bambi doe like eyes sparkled in the darkness with her love for him. He never thought she would be here, he just didn't think it was a possibility.

"What do you have there?" she asked looking at the bottle
John looked down at the bottle and read the label "1983 Domaine LeFlaive Merlot"
"Good year….good wine" she said taking the bottle from his hands as he stared at her face while she read the label. "But I think we should go with the Red since Ming is making her tenderloin tonight."

Stepping around him she went back to the rack and chose another bottle. "This will do perfectly" she said smiling

"Evangeline what's going on?" he said finally able to speak
"Just friends celebrating the new addition to our family"
"Are we friends again?" he asked
"John, we were always friends" she said flashing him a sexy smile.
He smiled too and watched as she walked back toward the front of the house. Turning she looked over her shoulder "Well are you coming?"

Regaining the feeling in his legs and arms again he followed her into the family room. Ming came out grinning at him and winked as he flashed her a 'thank you god' look.

They sat down and ate and Evangeline told of her going back to get her doctorate at Oxford. She said she wanted to teach and Ming was going to help her. John didn't pry but he was dying to know what she thought of him. After the twins excused themselves for bed Ming brought out the crème broule, they ate and drank wine talking about everything under the sun. The night carried on further and Evangeline looked at her watch saying she needed to head home. John looked at her disappointed until she turned on him with a surprising request "Mind giving me a ride?"

He was so shocked he frowned. Ming kicked him under the table and he came too. "Oh yea of course."

Evangeline laughed and kissed her friend promising to call her. John got their coats and kissed Ming bye. Sam gave him a knowing smile and they both said their goodbyes.

Climbing into his rental he turned on the radio and looked over at her smiling. "Okay where to?"

She told him which hotel she was staying at and that she was looking for a flat closer to Oxford. He owned several properties and said he could help her find a nice space. She smiled at him but declined the offer. She wanted to find it on her own. When they arrived at the hotel they sat in the car in silence.

She turned to him. "Would you like to come up for a night cap?"
"Evangeline, I need you to tell me where I stand. I can't take it any longer"
She touched his hand. "Come upstairs let's talk"

John readily agreed and got of his car going over to her side to open the door for her. Evangeline accepted his hand and led him to her suite. She'd toiled over this moment for over a month. She wanted everything just right.

Stepping inside she dropped her purse and pulled out of her jacket. Turning she saw him leaning against the wall watching her. She didn't blame him for being hesitant. He was hurt too and he needed to be cautious. Going over to the bar she fixed him some brandy.

He went over and sat down. Giving him his glass she then fixed her one. Smiling she took a seat and relaxed. "I divorced Kevin, but I'm sure you know that."
"I do" he said softly
"I thought about calling you the day I signed the papers" she said looking him in the eye.
"Why didn't you?"
"Because my divorce wasn't about you, it was about me. Because even though it was the right thing to do it was painful still to let go of something I've held onto for so long. I needed to heal and I didn't want to add more to that"

"I understand that"
"Do you John, because it's important to me that you know that in order for me to find my way back to you I had to discover who I was."
"And that's why you are here in London?"
"Yes, I figured out what I wanted and decided to go after it."
"Teaching?"

She drank down the brandy and placed the glass on the table next to her. "Among other things."

John looked at her confused "What other things?"
Evangeline got up. She went to him and sat in his lap. Touching his face she kissed him lightly on the lips. John held the glass in his hand somewhat shocked by her move.

Taking the glass from his hand she put it on the table next to him. Touching his chest she looked into his face "I want you. I came here for you"

John pulled her to him and kissed her. She smiled through his brandy laced kiss and inhaled his masculine scent of leather from his jacket and the cologne he wore. Pulling away from him she looked in his face "I love you"

His eyes grew wide with delight "I love you too"

Picking her up from his lap he carried her into her room. She clung to him and welcomed what came next. She was in his arms again and it was her new truth.