November 3, 1989
Julian awoke first beside the few burning embers, mixed among the ashes, in the depths of Alexis's fireplace. For a moment he reflected and then grimaced at how the description might also describe his relationship with Alexis. In a weak moment, he had revived the fire and then given into the passion. His mother would have never approved and, even intellectually, he regretted his actions. How could he not? He had created an untenable situation where he would either have to abandon Alexis, and break her heart, or risk allowing her to become a casualty of his world. Neither option was palatable. Neither option was acceptable. Like so much of his life, he was once again choosing the best of a bad set of options. How much he wished that, even if just this once, there might actually be a good option out there.
Julian felt Alexis stir and shiver in his arms. Instinctively he wrapped the blanket around her and then got up from the floor cradling her in his arms. He carried her into her bedroom and carefully laid her beneath the crisp linen sheets and the down duvet. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed to think. Jeromes didn't usually go for middle ground but, as Alexis had pointed out, he wasn't exactly his father or his older brother. Perhaps he could find a way. He had to try.
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Alexis awoke to the smell of fresh coffee. As she yawned, and then stretched under the mound of covers, she decided the scent was a pleasantly welcome, even if uncommon, at least upon awakening, at least for her. Her cousin, Stefan, had servants who arose long before dawn to prepare their master's breakfast and coffee. Her paralegal, Maude, had a programmable coffee pot she raved about. In contrast, Alexis was overwhelmingly mystified by kitchen gadgets and uncomfortable with servants. The latter conjured up far too many unhappy childhood memories, so that left her grabbing a hasty cup of coffee, from Starbucks, on her way to the office.
While the aroma of dark roast wafted pleasantly around her, Alexis contemplated the events of the prior night. Even in the light of first dawn, where she was forced to acknowledge all of the reasons behind their six plus year separation, she was without regret. That surprised her because she couldn't think of another time which hadn't been at least a little bittersweet. Even her seemingly happy memories of younger childhood with Stefan were tinged and punctuated with a sense of deep loss.
Alexis was still basking in the afterglow when Julian joined her with a tray of coffee and toasted barmbrack bread. "Breakfast in bed?" she asked.
Julian set the tray down carefully and then joined her on the bed. "You looked so beautiful I didn't have the heart to wake you," he said.
Alexis felt her cheeks grow warm at Julian's words. It wasn't just the compliment that moved her but she was realizing that at least for the first time in a long time, and perhaps ever, she had slept well. She wasn't sure exactly how to phrase that so she just reached for the cup of coffee Julian had just poured her and took a sip. It was definitely much better than Starbucks!