A/N: Omg thank you guys so much for your awesome reviews! I like, die reading them. You are feeding my ego in a good way ;) Ok, so as promised this Chapters POV is going to be from Ian's view, but I CANNOT guarantee the quality of his view lol I had the WORST time trying to wirte him and I don't think I did him justice : (…Much less dialogue also. Let me know after this chapter if you want me to alternate or stay with Emily ok? Keep reading! Love, Me : )

"I hated her now with a hatred more fatal than indifference because it was the other side of love."
-August Strindberg

After getting dressed, and walking towards the staircase, Ian noticed what a dramatic turn his life had taken. Not to say it was perfect in any way, but things were finally going his way. His son was returned to his rightful place, the woman he had once loved was in his arms again, and business was good. Now the trick was to keep it that way… Ian rubbed his eyes tiredly as he approached Emily and Declan waiting at the bottom of the stairs for him. Declan was chattering excitedly to Emily, who was smiling and nodding emphatically to him. He gave a weak smile to Emily and caught her gaze for a moment. She was wary of him to say the least, he knew that. He had a temper, some would say it was the Irish in him, but whatever it was, he was powerless to control it when it struck. She had no reason to trust him again, or he her, to be honest, but she had a charisma about her that he was inevitably drawn to. She was stubborn, independent, and a valid opponent, all those characteristics that he as an alpha male should've been repelled by.

"Ok, let's go. If you want to get to the beach before sundown, we'd better make this fast." Ian said to the two of them. He held the door open for Emily as they stepped outside into the blistering desert heat. Soon after they were in the car, they pulled up to the doors of the Dubai Mall. Emily gasped in shock. She wasn't much of a shopper if he recalled. So instead he'd showered her with expensive gifts he'd picked out himself. He enjoyed watching her eyes light up when she opened them. Now, however it was another story. She would be picking, because quite frankly, he didn't have the patience first thing in the morning to deal with petty store associates. He was quite content to pay for the shit and hold the 26 bags he knew they would end up with.

Walking in, they made a plan to shop for Declan first. Stopping by Burberry Children, Diesel Kids, and Guess Kids, they picked up enough boys clothes for any number of activities including church clothes he'd insisted upon. As well as a suit and multiple pairs of shoes. By the time they'd stopped to get Declan a hot pretzel and Emily some donuts Ian was exhausted. The day had only begun and he was ready to retire for the night. It was easier to lead international hit lists and gun running through multiple countries than to shop for hours upon end in the largest mall in the world. Next was Emily. He smiled at her as she lead them to Aftershock, Burberry, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Chanel, Escada, and Nina Ricci. After they were done and Emily had enough outfits to satisfy the most picky of women and shoes and bags to match, they headed back out to the car. He'd just dropped thousands of dollars on this shopping trip and was ready to sit back in the sand with a glass of scotch and watch Emily and Declan play in the ocean.

"Declan, what do you say?" Emily prompted as they reached the house. Ian smiled, she was very polite when it came to Declan, it was ironic the words that left her mouth when he wasn't around.

"Thank you, Ian!" Declan said happily, grabbing some of his bags from her, and sprinting to the front door and raced to his room to change into his new bathing suit, before Ian could even say, 'you're welcome.'

"He's so adorable," she said from behind him as she stood by the trunk as the driver hand her bags of merchandise.

"Yes, he is… D'you ever think about having one of your own?" Ian asked quietly walking to the back of the car to help her with the bags. She looked up at him startled at his abrupt question.

"I dunno, I mean, we've talked about this before…" she hedged, obviously not wanting to repeat the conversation.

"That was seven years ago, Love. You're not undercover anymore, no one's looking for you." Ian said. Her eyes automatically turned frantic.

"Ian, be serious," She said, a light pleading note in her voice, as they walked inside.

"I am." He said giving her a firm look. He wanted more children, and she was going to give them to him, one way or another.

"Ian—it's not that I don't want to have kids," she paused, clearly trying to find the most appeasing way to put it, "I mean, I'm 40 years old… and besides you already have Declan." She said.

"Emily. I want to be able to raise my children with a mother that loves them, and to able to raise them as my own. I made that mistake with Declan, and I've spent 12 years of my life regretting it." He said slamming some of the bags down on the dresser. She was starting to aggravate him. Why couldn't she just say yes? Why did she always have to defy him at every turn? It was maddening. Obviously, they cared for each other, he could give her and his children a good life. What was the problem?

She stood in the center of the room, picking at her fingernails, ducking her head, trying to figure a way out of this one. Well this is one argument she would not win. He knew even if she didn't want to have kids, if she did get pregnant he would never have to worry about her like he had Chloe. She was a good mother to Declan, and he wasn't even hers.

"So, you're refusing me? You'll raise my son as yours, but you wont give me a son or daughter of our own?" He said a note of hurt in his voice.

"It's not that, it's jus—" she started.

"Save it Emily. You made excuses 7 years ago and you're still making them now!" he said raising his voice, putting his hand up.

"Well do you really think the situation is any different now?" She argued, starting to get defensive. Dear, God ... He could feel where this was going and it wasn't going to end well.

"What the hell do you mean? The situation? The situation is totally different. I'm no longer a target, here my child is safe, and you are no longer trying to fuck me over. Or are you? Is this really what this is all about? You don't want kids because you're still planning on leaving. Well, I've got news for you Sweetheart, it's not happening! So you'd better just get used to it!" He yelled at her, getting in her face.

He was scaring her, he could see it in her eyes, but she like the warrior she was, refused to back down.

"You can't keep me here Ian! I'm not your prisoner, you fucking prick!" She yelled back, Smack! Before he could even stop himself he felt the back of his hand collide with her cheek. Stunned she immediately clutched at her face, glaring at him. He felt shame flood his emotions. God, could he not physically assault her for one argument they had?

Breathing hard he gave her one last glare, before turning on his heel and stomping from the room, slamming the door behind him. This day had begun so good, he had to go and ruin it. Reaching his study he locked himself in. Pouring himself a stiff drink he took a gulp, swallowing the liquid fire that was Irish whiskey. From his study he, could see Emily and Declan walking hand in hand towards the beach. Was it so wrong to want her beautiful baby to be his own? He sat in his study all day drinking and thinking. Darkness had fallen and he was very drunk. He hated her, but he loved her. He'd spent 7 years waiting to get his revenge on her, because he thought she didn't care about him. Now, he knew she did in fact care for him, and always had, but he couldn't keep himself from fucking it up royally. He was at the bottom of the bottle when he realized his hate towards her, was in fact hate for the man he'd become. His hate for her was not in fact hate at all, but the plunging depths of deep love for her, a love he was bound to destroy through self destruction.