Epilogue
It was over two weeks after she and Sarah had had their talk that Alex walked back into the Rosewood Villa, where she had met Aaron Hotchner. Alex looked around thinking it was so good to be back. It felt like home, much more home then her own apartment had been, when she had returned to Washington.
"I don't think she's coming back Dave," Alex heard the voice of Aaron Hotchner. "We haven't talked in over two weeks. I think she's decided just to cut off any contact at all."
Aaron sounded heartbroken, Alex thought feeling guilty. She hadn't been answering his calls or his texts for the last couple of weeks, as she'd been making rather hurried arrangements to take a sabbatical.
She should have realized that if she had been miserable then Aaron was bound to have been as well, as that had been mentioned various times by different people. She had been so wrapped up in her own misery that she hadn't considered the fact that Aaron would also be wrapped up in his, missing her intensely, just like she had missed him. He had told her bluntly twice that his heart was now on the line, and that if she decided to break it off completely the least that would happen was that he would never fall in love with anyone else, have a family. Now, that she truly thought about it Alex wouldn't be surprised if Aaron hadn't contemplated suicide, just like her parents had suggested on her visit. While he was immortal there were ways to kill one, as they weren't gods that couldn't die. She should have realized that with Aaron being so old that once he had truly fallen in love he wouldn't be able to live without that person, wouldn't want to come to that. He might not have actually committed suicide if she had decided to permanently end the relationship, but he would have been miserable for the rest of his very long life. He would probably never even date again. If he did those relationships were unlikely to last long and would likely be for the sex only.
Alex knew she was going to be apologizing for a long time for her own indecisiveness, her own cowardliness. She had been gone for 3 months less a few days, much longer than she had thought she would be originally and it had basically been her fear that had kept her so indecisive. Her logical side had kept telling her that it couldn't possibly work out, as they only known each other for a few weeks. Alex was well aware that yes, you could fall in love when you met the right person, in just a few hours, much less a few weeks.
"Give it a few more days, Aaron, she's probably just busy," came Dave's voice.
Dave's voice was rather upset and strained and Alex couldn't blame him for that. His friend was in a lot of emotional pain, because she had wanted to surprise him, and she hadn't thought she'd be able to hide such a secret if she had talked to him over the last couple weeks. It would've come out in her voice if nothing else.
"If she doesn't contact you by the weekend, then we can go to Washington and drag her back here if we have to. I understand your reasons for letting her go, and I know a lot of people don't like to uproot their lives and they need a big reason to do so. She might be trying to convince herself that it was just a fling that she can't possibly be in love. Most people don't believe in love at first sight Aaron, but you cornering her at her apartment in Washington, will remind her that she does love you. It will force her to admit her feelings for you. You've given her plenty of time to think, so it's time for you to take action if you don't want to lose her completely. I'll even come with you to help knock some sense into her head if needed."
Dave would do just as he said, Alex knew containing a chuckle, because his friend was hurting. Luckily, that wasn't going to be necessary.
"You're right," Aaron said sounding more hopeful and definitely determined. "I'll do just that, if she doesn't show up sometime before the weekend. I'm still hoping she'll come back on her own, but if she needs a reminder of her feelings, then that's something I'm willing to do. I can't live without her, and I knew that even before she got on her flight."
"No need," Alex finally spoke walking over to them. The two of them were sitting, on a couch that was part of a comfortable sitting area off in a corner, not far from the reception desk, but still it was relatively private, so long as they kept their voices down.
"Alex?" Aaron questioned almost in disbelief, staring at her as if she was some kind of mirage. Alex's heart immediately went out to him, as Aaron to appeared to have lost weight and looked as if he hadn't been sleeping much.
"Yes, Aaron, it's me," Alex said, as she moved closer. Aaron rose to his feet nearly robotically and held out his arms. Alex walked right into them without reservation. Something inside her relaxed as soon as Aaron's arms came around, cradling her body to his as if she was some sort of precious treasure.
Aaron held her close as if not quite believing she was there and in his arms.
"I'm sorry I was gone so long," Alex murmured in his ear, her voice apologetic.
"You're here now, that's all that matters," Aaron said just as softly.
He kissed her softly which Alex returned.
When they finally broke apart Dave stood up and said with steel in his voice, "I hope this isn't a temporary visit as Aaron has been a wreck."
"I have to," Alex told Dave. "It took some stern talking to from a friend of mine for me to finally get off my butt. Maybe we can talk about it over dinner. I didn't eat much on the flight, so I'm starving."
Alex wasn't about to admit that her stomach had been to nervous. She'd had no idea what the situation would be when she returned. She had thought perhaps Aaron might've given up on her completely because of her procrastinating and refusal to make a decision. She should've known better considering what the ghost of her ancestor had said, but still, her subconscious couldn't help worrying about it.
"Sounds like a splendid idea," Aaron said feeling hungry for the first time in months. Starving himself wouldn't kill him, but that didn't mean he couldn't lose weight and he had lost considerable, just like Alex had.
"My lady?" Aaron said offering Alex his arm.
"Why thank you kind sir," Alex said with a brilliant smile taking Aaron's arm. Aaron escorted her towards the dining room Dave trailing behind, thinking that this could either be a very good thing or a bad one. He would soon find out he supposed, which one it was. He was hoping Alex was here to stay, but he also didn't want to get his hopes up. He had been propping up Aaron for the last three months, trying to keep him thinking positively. It hadn't been too bad so long as his friend got to talk to her every couple of days, but the last couple of weeks had been far worse, as the longer Aaron hadn't heard from her, the worse it had gotten.
Perhaps things were now looking up. He certainly hoped that continued, as he couldn't take much more of his friend's despair or his refusal to take action where Alex was concerned. While he understood giving Alex a choice to whether or not to continue their relationship he would've given her two or three weeks tops to think and then gone to Washington to knock some sense into her skull. Hopefully, that was no longer going to be necessary.
~~~Aaron, Dave, Alex~~~
"So you only finally got off your ass because your friend Sarah finally was tired of seeing you make yourself miserable," Dave said after Alex had finished her story.
The three of them had eaten a delicious dinner, cleaning their plate, especially Alex and Aaron since they were both hungry for the first time in weeks.
Alex's stomach troubles that had been plaguing her for the last three months had disappeared when she had reunited with Aaron. She had even eaten seconds when she never did. She's supposed that she had needed to considering she hadn't been eating hardly anything at all in a long time.
Her appetite had returned with a vengeance.
"Of seeing you not eating or apparently sleeping," Aaron added.
"I'm ashamed of myself for being so indecisive, causing both Aaron and I, untold misery that was unnecessary," Alex admitted. "That's not usually like me at all. I had become so rooted, so comfortable, that the thought of moving while not exactly terrifying, still had me reluctant to make such a big change, particularly over a guy I had only known for a few weeks. I kept coming up with excuses not to return, I told myself that I couldn't possibly have fallen in love after so short a time. I told myself it was just a fling that I'd get over it. I told myself a lot of things that I knew deep down were not true and now, I can't believe I was such a coward. I suppose I listened to my logical side instead of my heart. Logic doesn't understand emotions like love, sadness, anger or happiness. My logical side kept coming up with numerous reasons not to uproot my comfortable, settled life."
"It isn't all on you, as there are a few things I could've done myself," Aaron said candidly. "I could've followed you after reasonable amount of time, a couple of weeks at least. I could've begged you to come back to me, but I felt as if that would be demeaning to you and to me and also that it wouldn't be fair to either one of us. I wanted you to come back on your own free will. I'm not usually one to get so worked up over a woman, and I certainly never expected to fall in love with you, but I did, so there was no way I could stop it from happening. My love for you hit me like a tidal wave and you came to mean everything to me in just a few weeks."
"I can say the same," Alex said. as the two of them joined hands under the table while Dave sat opposite them. "I never expected to find love when I came to New York. I expected to be giving lectures at Columbia every weekday and spending the rest of my time sightseeing. Once I had gone to visit my parents for a couple of days and I was back in Washington, I tried to convince myself that my feelings for you were nothing, but lust and attraction, not love.
"Even though your father told you about the ghost of Blaire Blake that appeared to him and your mother. Told you about what she said and also showed them."
"Yeah, now I know I was fighting against fate," Alex sighed, as she ate the last bite of her pasta. "I'm still not entirely sure if I'm the reincarnation of this Blaire or if I just look like her, but I suppose it doesn't really matter. One thing I didn't say, is I've only taken a six month sabbatical. I want to see where a relationship with you goes, but I'm leaving myself a way out, just in case, it doesn't work out," Alex told Aaron. "While I believe I will be fighting fate if I leave, it doesn't mean I'm going to throw all my good sense to the wind. I believe that our relationship will lead to an eventual marriage, but I'm too cautious to put all my eggs in one basket. I'm also very independent as you know, which was part of the problem originally. I was letting my logical side hold sway over any decisions instead of my heart. Logic is all well and good but it doesn't understand emotions."
"I can live with that," Aaron said. "If I can't convince you to be mine permanently in six months..."
"Let's not worry about that now," Alex said.
"So will you be staying here?" Dave asked that an actual pause in the conversation.
"No, I'll find a cheap apartment that I can stay in, somewhere that's rented by the month," Alex said.
"Why don't you just stay with me and it will give us a preview as to whether or not we can actually live together," Aaron suggested a little hesitantly. "I have a guestroom you can use. I won't ask you to share my bed until you're ready. Just having you live with me will be a balm to my soul. To come home every day to find you there will allow me to sleep better than I have in months."
Alex considered the offer seriously. It would save her a ton of money, though that wasn't really the point. The question was, did she want to live with Aaron for the next half a year? Aaron was right about one thing, it would show them if they could coexist peacefully or if there was going to be a lot of tension and discord. She didn't want relationship where she argued with her spouse all the time, though Aaron didn't really seem like the type. She could always move out and into a hotel if there was too much tension. On the other hand, Aaron was 700 years old and had learned a lot in that amount of time. He had changed from an arrogant, entitled toerag into a kind, patient, and generous man and so had likely learned how not to lose his temper or get involved in pointless arguments.
"We'll try it on a trial basis," Alex decided finally. "Let's say the next month and we'll see how it goes, before I agree to stay for another month. We'll take it a month at a time."
"Well, you were right, you are cautious," Dave said with a smile having relaxed considerably, now that he knew Alex was willing to work towards a permanent relationship with his friend. He had feelings for her as well, but he doubted that Alex would be willing to have two men in her life that she was sexually involved with. Still, it was a possibility that excited him. That was for the future though. He could be patient.
"It's just that I've never lived with anyone before other than my parents and my siblings," Alex explained. "I've never had a serious enough relationship to consider cohabiting with anyone. That doesn't mean I'm not willing to make a commitment once I see if we can live together with minimum friction. While I'm well aware that arguments are part of any relationship marriage included, I don't want to be constantly at odds."
"I can certainly understand that," Aaron said appreciating Alex's caution.
"Of course you can. You'd do practically anything to get her to live with you for at least the next six months," Dave teased his friend.
"From a logical standpoint it's also practical," Alex said ignoring Dave. "It'll give us an idea whether we get along well enough to actually consider marriage. I don't expect any problems, but still, I'm going to remain firm on taking it a month at a time. A test run if you will."
"It'll also save you some money as staying in any place that charges rent will add to the bills," Aaron said.
"Money isn't even a consideration," Alex said, dismissing Aaron's concern. "I make enough from my book writing that I'd never have to work again if I didn't care to. While I usually don't splurge, it's there when I need it."
"Alright then," Aaron answered simply, thrilled that Alex had agreed to move in with him, even if she wanted to take it on a month by month basis. It was not hard to understand her concerns. She had never lived with anyone once she was of age, so she just wanted to make sure they got along. He didn't foresee any type of problems and he knew Alex didn't either, but it also did not hurt to be cautious until they knew one way or the other. Living with someone was totally different from dating someone, as you tended to be on your best behavior on a date, not so much if you were living with someone, especially if you were sharing the same living space and not married. People tended to argue more once they got comfortable with each other.
"If this works out then we'll have to deal with the magical council," Alex said, then explained exactly what that meant.
"I'll go through fire and brimstone if they will allow you to be turned immortal," Aaron said. "I could just feed you my blood, but I'd rather do this the right way."
"I could be penalized for agreeing to be turned immortal through an IV or injection you know," Alex told Aaron. "I am a witch, so technically, I am subject to magical laws. You don't want to be on the council's radar believe me. You and Dave will get a pass so long as you don't commit any crimes that they have to penalize you for. It wasn't you that asked to be turned immortal after all. It was something my ancestor did to you, just because you were rude to her. You didn't bribe or threaten her to get her to do what you wanted, which would have counted against you if you had. You had no idea that being turned immortal was possible, so how could you threaten Blaire to do so when you had no idea that such a curse existed? I don't see the magical council objecting to turning me immortal, as all they have to do is check into my history, to see that I am not one that would misuse such a gift. Besides, it's very possible, that one of the seers on the council will see me being turned immortal anyway and that means there will be no objections."
"You're saying they can't penalize me for my past or Dave for his," Aaron said.
"It happened such a long time ago, that if their honest, there is no way they can penalize you for what happened basically, in another life. You don't have to tell them your whole history just enough to let them know what you used to be like, give them an idea of why my ancestor cursed you like she did," Alex said. "The council didn't even exist back when you were turned immortal or even back when Dave was. They didn't come into being until about 100 years after you saved Dave's life."
"It's a good thing that they didn't exist until about 400 years ago, as telling the magical council my whole history would take months, maybe years," Aaron smiled. "I am 700 years old after all. I doubt very much that council wants to listen to my whole sordid past for the next 10 years."
Aaron was certainly smiling much more in the last few hours then he had in weeks and he knew he would continue to do so as long as Alex was at his side. He was truly and deeply in love and there was no changing it. He didn't want to change it.
"That's a very good point," Alex agreed. "I doubt they'd have that much patience."
"If this works out, then I hope you'll agree to marry me," Aaron said, taking Alex's smaller hands in his own and raising to his lips to kiss the back of it gently.
"If this works out, like I know we both hope, then yes, I'll marry you," Alex answered immediately, blushing at such a romantic and old fashioned gesture. "I want to start a family, but I just want to make sure we're both making the right choice before we make any irreversible decisions."
"I think we both know that we are more than suited to each other, that we're absolutely perfect together in every way," Aaron told Alex gently. "I understand that you need some assurance and if living together for awhile just to see how we get along then it's okay with me. I can't blame you for not wanting to be trapped in an unhappy marriage."
"You'll also need to meet my parents at least and probably my brother Scott, but that can wait a few months," Alex said. "If this works out then I'll take that position at Columbia that they've been offering me for several years and move here permanently."
"I can't wait for that day," Aaron said with a shit eating grin, as he imagined the woman he had fallen so deeply in love with becoming a permanent fixture in his life.
"You have every reason to be confident," Alex laughed, kissing his cheek.
~~~Aaron, Dave, Alex~~~
One year later, Aaron and Alex were married, in a relatively quiet ceremony as neither wanted to make a big deal out of it. This service was well attended by not only Alex's family, but a lot of the hotel employees, as it was held out on the lawn of the Rosewood Villa where they had first met.
Alex was already immortal as the magical council had seen this coming thanks to some very talented seers, so there had been no trouble from that direction. She was also pregnant by four months, as it had happened pretty soon after the council had cast the immortality curse on her. She had also already accepted the position at Columbia University and would start with the coming school year.
Her parents were thrilled with the upcoming grandchild, Scott not so much, if only because his sister had been married when it happened, but then, he didn't know the real situation. Alex's friend Sarah and several of her other associates from Georgetown had made it to New York for the wedding, so all in all there was about 50 people present.
"Congratulations to you both," Sarah told the happy couple. "I'm sure you'll be just as happy in your marriage, as I am in mine."
Sarah had been married for over six years and had two children. Her husband was wonderful, as Alex had met him once or twice.
"Thank you," Aaron told Sarah. "I know we will be."
"This is certainly a lovely venue to hold such a happy event," Sarah added looking around at the extensive lawns, with the hotel in the distance. "I'm glad that I finally knocked some sense into your thick skull as I haven't seen you this happy in months."
"You were right," Alex looked sheepish. "I still can't believe I was so indecisive. All you did was make me do what I really want to do anyway so thanks. This is where Aaron and I met, so this is where we wanted to hold our wedding and yes it is a lovely venue. Dave, who is the owner, was agreeable, though it helps that he and Aaron are best friends."
"He was also best man of course," Aaron said smiling, not mentioning that it had been the accommodation Dave had demanded in order for him to allow them to hold the wedding at his hotel. Dave hadn't demanded a thing he wasn't going to get anyway as Aaron had already thought of Dave for that slot in the wedding party anyway. Who else could he choose after all? Dave was his best friend, really his only close friend and Aaron didn't want someone he barely knew in that position.
"Oh, the man with the beard is the handsome David Rossi I've heard so much about from Alex," Sarah said. "All I can say is Yum! Yum! He is absolutely drop dead gorgeous."
"You are married," Alex told her girlfriend amused.
"That doesn't mean I can't admire the scenery," Sarah told Alex unoffended. "The second I stop admiring a handsome man I might as well be dead. My husband certainly admires beautiful women, even if that's from a distance."
Aaron snorted at that one, but he did agree that Dave was a very handsome man, which was why his wife also had at least a small crush on him, which could easily develop further with a little encouragement. It was only natural for men and women to admire the opposite sex, even if they were married at the time. Admiring someone from a distance was a harmless activity and fun for the people who did such things. Aaron had certainly discreetly admired many beautiful women in the past. Of course, now that he was married he wouldn't be taking it farther than that, not like he often had before he had met Alex. He'd had to satisfy his own sexual needs someway after all.
"Since he doesn't appear to have brought a date I think I'll go ask him to dance," Sarah decided.
"You go ahead, I know Dave will get a kick out of dancing with such a beautiful woman," Aaron told Sarah, causing her to blush at Aaron's sincere compliment.
"I should probably dance with him to," Alex told Aaron once Sarah had wandered away. "I wouldn't want him to feel neglected after all," Alex added with a wink.
She and Dave had discussed their relationship quite frankly before the wedding, and it had been agreed on, that Dave would have sexual rights to her so long as she agreed of course. He would be allowed to share her body with Aaron's approval, even get her pregnant if they both desired it. Dave had never expected to have his dreams come true, as most men were very protective of their wives and also insanely jealous, if someone else came sniffing around. He knew that it helped that he and Aaron had known each other forever, so his friend knew that he would treat Alex right. Usually, Aaron would have been fierce in protecting his territory with a vengeance and he would against anyone, except his best friend.
Dave had never intended to fall in love with Alex Blake, something Aaron knew very well, and that sometimes things happened. Normally, Dave wouldn't have said a word about his feelings, but since Alex had also developed feelings for him as well, even if they weren't as strong as the ones she had for Aaron he was going to take the opportunity presented to him. It wasn't cheating if all parties agreed. That Aaron didn't even mind when he and Alex were alone together was a gift that Dave had never expected, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, as the saying went. The three of them so far were very happy together and hopefully, that would continue for a long time to come, decades, centuries, millennia. He certainly wouldn't mind if it did. He doubted Alex would mind either or Aaron for that matter.
Alex looked around at all the decorations, that had been put up by the staff for the wedding. There was a piano with its operator in one corner of the lawn, that had played the wedding march, so Alex's father could walk her down the short aisle.
"That's fine with me," Aaron said. "You are technically in a relationship with him as well."
"It's not really a relationship per say, not in the traditional sense," Alex protested mildly. "For one thing we have to keep it under wraps, since the two of us are married and we both know that most people would not approve, even if you knew about it and agreed with it."
"I wouldn't trust you with anyone else but Dave," Aaron told her quietly. "I know he'll treat you like a queen just like I will, which is why your relationship has my seal of approval."
"It helps that you've known each other for very long time," Alex said just as quietly. "You know him in every way there is to know someone, except intimately."
"Which is why I approve," Aaron said. "Even if you have to keep your relationship a secret, since such things just aren't accepted in today's society. That might change in the future, but for now you'll keep your relationship under wraps."
"It doesn't matter what others think, but yes, I agree we don't need it to get out," Alex said. "It would would end our careers if nothing else, though it probably wouldn't affect Dave to much, since he owns the hotel. It might even make more people stay there because of his notoriety."
The two continued to dance and talk softly, just enjoying being together after they had been separated for three months, due to Alex not wanting to take a chance by throwing caution to the wind by her uprooting her life to start over fresh.
Aaron had proposed to Alex after only three months and she had accepted having finally realized that they were perfect for each other, so that meant all her fears were groundless.
"Yes congratulations sweetheart and you to Aaron," Damon said. "I'm looking forward to the birth of my grandchild. I know you'll be very happy together for a very long time to come."
This was Damon's way of saying that they had centuries to explore their love for each other, since they were in a public venue with a lot of people around.
"I know Aaron will take care of you Alex," Damon added.
"Yes, I will," Aaron promised Alex's father.
"I know you will son," Damon said. "If you don't then Alex will kick your ass out of the house until you shape up. She knows how to defend herself. I made sure of that. It's a difficult and dangerous world out there after all."
"That's good, as I wouldn't want someone who couldn't," Aaron said. "I don't want anyone who's wishy-washy for a wife, as they tend to allow their husband's to walk all over them. I know Alex will tell me to my face when she thinks I'm in the wrong and I don't mind that at all. It will certainly make life more interesting."
Apparently, that was the answer Damon had been expecting, because he nodded in satisfaction then wandered away to get him some food.
"I think I just been given your father's seal of approval," Aaron said amused.
"Yes, you have," Alex giggled, as she snuggled continually into her husband's arms. "He already approved of you and not just because of the ghost of Blaire telling him he had better if he didn't want to lose me, but because he likes you. Basically, it means he knows you will protect me if necessary, but also knows I can protect myself."
"I'm looking forward to the honeymoon," Aaron said smiling.
"So am I," Alex promised him. "Of course, I'm already pregnant and to far along to tell anyone that I got pregnant on our honeymoon. People can certainly add up the time between the date we got married and the birth."
"Ignore people like that, their opinions don't matter," Aaron said. "It's not so much of a sin to get pregnant before the marriage nowadays, as it was back when I was born or even when Dave was born. Let's just enjoy being married...finally."
"Sounds good to me," Alex said, as the two of them danced closely together.
"Thank you for agreeing to marry me I've never been so happy," Aaron told Alex sincerely, kissing the top of his wife's head in a gesture of affection.
"You're welcome. I promise you I'm just as happy," Alex added more seriously. "I'm only sorry I was so resistant to the idea at first. I was making myself miserable for no reason. The only excuse I can give is I've always been independent, and I've also dated a lot jerks in the past."
"Let's not worry about it anymore as it doesn't really matter," Aaron said, as he kissed his new wife on the lips this time. "We are together now and married and that's all that matters."
Alex nodded in agreement but said nothing. Really, nothing needed to be said.
The two of them kissed tenderly and continued dancing closely together. Both were looking forward to the birth of their first child with many others in the future. That they were happy together was all that mattered to them and who cared what others thought.
Life for the moment was very happy and overwhelmingly positive. They've would face life's challenges together and that was the way it should be.
