Good Evening: And welcome to another round of updates. While I did hope to post this earlier, I wasn't able to. But, I am now. Enjoy!

Chapter Sixteen

"Well, we need to go public with our marriage at some point." -Matthew Casey

Now, Alex understood. She understood why her husband was speaking in hypotheticals, while also giving her the reassurance she needed that he was going to be there for her, holding her hand and just giving her the love and support she was going to need when they finally did what she's been dreaming of doing for the longest time. For the longest time, she's always dreamt of being the woman on Matt's arm, his official woman he gets to love in the open and who he gets to take to all of the events her goes to. And that's precisely what the two of them are in the midst of talking about right now: them going public with their marriage, so that they can show the word that they're madly in love with each other. After all, that's precisely what they are: they're madly in love with each other. Though, that didn't mean that Alex wasn't worried about the idea of them going public; more specifically, about the optics. And just what does she mean when she says the optics? Well, she's talking about the fact that (up until recently), she's been "the other woman" in Matt's life, which worries her due to the fact that they got together so soon after Matt and Hallie broke up.

And not only did they get together, but they also got married. And that was the real part that made her worry, the negative press that could easily be assumed when it comes to them already being married; something which Matt was picking up on as he held Alex close to him. "Let me guess, the idea of us going public makes you worry?" Taking a breath as Matt asked her whether she was worried, Alex nodded; after all, that's precisely how she feels at the moment: she feels worried due to the aforementioned reasons. And while she already knew what Matt was going to say about all of it, she still felt that it was important she spoke to her husband about it. That way, he could help her with what she was dealing with right now; she just hoped that he didn't judge her for how she felt. "Promise me that you don't judge me for how I'm thinking?" Wrapping his arm around Alex, Matt shook his head as that was the last thing he'd ever do; after all, he loves her. He loves her even more than he loves the feeling of her topless body against his chest, which he has once more now that he just tugged her gorgeous body against his chest. "Hey, I would never judge you; my job is to support you baby."

Alex agreed with Matt as she placed her hand on his face, while just staring into her eyes as she leaned in and kissed him softly. "I love you." Matt agreed with his wife, as he loves her too, which is why he wants her to talk to him and tell him what's going on. "I want you to talk to me for that reason baby. I want you to talk to me so that I can help you out when it comes to this, because that's my job as your husband. So, please Alex, let me in and just let me know what's going on." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, before taking a breath and going to tell her husband just what she has on her mind at the moment. "I'm just thinking about the optics." Matt was a bit confused as he heard Alex tell him that, as he had no idea just what she was talking about. "What are you talking about babe?" Alex sighed, as she looked down, while also speaking honestly with her husband about how she was feeling right now. "Matt, we got married really fast. So fast, that people might assume…" Matt sighed, well aware of what she was talking about. "Babe, we were having an affair though. We were seeing each other, while I was engaged." Alex agreed with her husband, nodding.

And that's precisely why she's worried. Worried about the rumors that could come alone. "There's just so many things that are going on in my head right now." Matt agreed, wanting her to talk to him so that he can help her out. "And that's why I'm here with you babe, so that I can help you and make sure that you're okay. So, what's going on, and what can I help you with?" Taking a breath, Alex proceeded to tell the man she loves about what she was thinking about. "Matt, what if people say we're only together because I'm pregnant?" Matt shook his head, as that won't happen. "Then we prove them wrong and show them just how much we love each other. We can release statements and stuff." Alex shook her head, as that wasn't what she wanted. "I don't want to make a big deal about it though. I just want to be married to you, not make a big deal about it. I know, that's hard considering your position in the business world, and with your mom being who she is. And that means you are subject to public scrutiny at times. But, I don't want our family life to be turned into some media circus. I'm your wife, you're my husband. And to me, that's all that matters."

Matt agreed with his wife as she told him that, well aware that was the case. All that mattered to the both of them, was that they're married and happy with each other. "Please tell me you feel the same way." Matt nodded as he emphatically emphasized the fact that he's happy that they're married. "Alex, of course I'm happy that we're married. You're the love of my life, and I'm proud to call you mine. I want to be with you forever, and I promise that I'm going to show you off to the world. That's just a fact that you never need to worry about. I love you, and that's final." Alex agreed with Matt, well aware that was the case as she got close to him and cuddled up to him; while he wrapped his arm around her back and pressed his lips to her forehead. After which, he turned his head and looked at the most beautiful woman in the entire world. Bending down afterwards, Matt smirked as he leaned in and started to take things nice and slow with her; while she placed her hand on his face and did the same with the man she loves. "I love you Alex, that'll never change. I want to be with you, and I don't want you to be scared as part of this life. All that matters to me is that you're mine."

Alex agreed with Matt, well aware that was the case as she moved her hand to the back of his head and leaned up to kiss him softly; while Matt ran his hand down her side and started to take things nice and slow with his wife. "Alex, I want to do whatever I can to make you happy. If you want to keep us private, then we can. We can separate our married life and the business. We don't need to tell anybody, and you can just be the woman on my arm. If it comes out that we're married, then we just don't deny it. Is that what you'd rather do? Not flash around the fact that we're married, just be married, and take it easy with each other?" Taking a breath, Alex just wondered whether that was even possible. "Is that even possible? I mean, I'm married to the CEO of Casey." Matt shook his head, as that's not who she's married to. "No, you aren't married to the CEO of Casey." Confused, Alex looked up into Matt's eyes. "Then who am I married to?" Matt smiled as he bent down and proceeded to take things nice and slow with his beautiful wife. "You're married to me, Matt. I don't want to be a businessman when I'm with you. I want to separate my life into the personal and private."

Smiling, Alex agreed with her husband as that sounds absolutely perfect. "And you mean that?" Matt nodded, as he means that from the bottom of his dream. "You want me to show you how much I mean it?" Alex smirked, as she's very interested in having him show her how much he means it; in the form of him rolling over on top of him and just taking things nice and slow with her. Meanwhile, she placed her hands on his face and started to kiss the man of her dreams nice and slowly with each other. "Maybe we can wait until New Year's Eve? Just keep it quiet until then?" Matt looked into Alex's eyes as she said that, before placing his hand on her neck and smiling as that sounds like a nice idea. Them keeping everything private and between them until the end of the year. "I think that's a great idea. Us waiting until New Year's Eve to go public with our marriage." Alex agreed with Matt, well aware that was the case as she took things nice and slow with the man of her dreams while they shared a nice kiss with each other here in the comfort of their bed. The bed where they just finished making love to each other earlier this morning. "No more sex, just kisses right now."

Matt agreed, well aware that his wife doesn't want to go for another round of sex. Rather, she just wants him to kiss her as they take things nice and slow with each other. "I already know that Alex, and I promise that's all we're going to do with each other. We're going to take things nice and slow with each other, as we hold each other close; here, in the comfort of our bed. If anything changes, then you need to be the one to tell me that you want to do something different. Unless you do that, then I'm just going to assume that we're going to keep going with what we're doing right now." Alex agreed with her loving husband as he told her that, before placing her hand on his neck and starting to take things nice and slow with her dreamy husband once more. "I love you Matt, and I am so happy that we're just taking things nice and easy with each other like we are right now." Matt agreed with Alex, well aware that was the case as he bent down and kissed her just like he wanted her to do right now. He wants to take things nice and slow with his wife, the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world and is already so proud at the idea of her being the mother of his kids.

Even though they said (and promised each other) that they weren't going to go for it, it turned out that their hormones had other ideas; other, sexy ideas which the couple ended up loving for the simple fact that they were both happy and excited to have each other in bed. And that's precisely what Matt and Alex are in the midst of enjoying with each other right now: they're enjoying each other in bed, as they take it nice and easy with each other. And damn, are they really enjoying the feeling of each other in bed once more. It's precisely what they both want, because it makes them happier than anything. Hell, Alex is even wondering if they should even wear undergarments right now considering they're having so much fun with each other. And that's precisely what Alex decided to tell her husband as she stared into his eyes while he made love to her sitting up. Yes, you heard that right; they were currently making love to each other sitting up as they wanted to experiment with ways they can enjoy each other. And right now, this one was great as it gave her a chance to stare into his eyes. "We're so bad when it comes to staying calm." Matt smirked and agreed.

After all, he knew that very well. He knew that they were really bad when it came to the two of them not having each other in bed, which is why they were just enjoying each other in bed, as he stared into her eyes and concentrated all of his love and attention on her. "I think we also both know that this is what we want. We want each other right now, because we want to celebrate the fact that we get to be with each other for the rest of our lives." Alex agreed with her husband as she leaned her forehead against his, before kissing him softly. "I love you Matt." Matt agreed with Alex as he kissed her once more. "I love you too, and I am so ready for us to keep spending our day in bed; I mean, unless you want to do something else." Alex smirked as she looked at the man of her dreams. "I mean, we could experiment with making love to each other elsewhere in the house." Matt was a bit perplexed by that idea. "What do you mean by that?" Matt said, as he moved to lay her down in their bed; only to climb in top of her and then get close to her. "Keep going babe, I still want you." Matt agreed as he leaned over Alex, only to give her what she wants from him: his love and attention.

However, he made sure to suck on her neck rather than her lips so that she could still speak to him. "What I was thinking, is we don't need to only make love to each other here in bed anymore. Hell, we can even go downstairs to the pool and make love to each other." Turning his head when he heard Alex say that, Matt smirked as he knew precisely what she was talking about; after all, they do have an indoor pool here in their home. "God, that's right. We have an indoor pool we can use." Alex nodded, smiling as she leaned in and kissed the man of her dreams. "Or, we can just keep doing this." Matt shook his head as he placed his hand on the side of her face, as he's very interested in the idea of him being able to make sweet love to her in their pool. "No, I love the idea of us heading downstairs to the pool to make love." Alex agreed with her husband and smirked as he told her that. "Your boxers, my underwear. We can get up and go down there now." Matt agreed with his wife, before giving her a bit more pleasure. And damn, did that really turn Alex on.

"FUCK BABY!"

Smirking as he heard Alex moan for him quite loudly, Matt bent down and crashed his lips into hers once more to get her to relax and take it easy "Baby, calm down and take it easy. Remember, no need to yell when I'm right here with you." Alex agreed with her husband as she kissed him one more time. "I love you so much, and I am more than ready to take a swim with you." Matt agreed with his wife, before getting up out of their bed so that he can go grab his towel. "Want me to grab your robe? Or do you want me to grab you a towel?" Alex smirked, as she wants him to grab her robe for her. "Robe, easier to wear while I'm holding your hand. Also, get me some lingerie. You're going to need to calm down afterwards." Matt agreed. "Pink bodysuit?" Alex nodded, as that's the exact lingerie she was talking about. "Yes, please." Matt nodded as he leaned over Alex, kissing her one last time before grabbing his towel; after which, he wrapped it around his waist and made sure to tie it as he walked away to their closet. "God, you are such a turn on when we do that." Matt smirked as he turned to look at his wife. "Just wait til' we're in the pool together." Alex agreed and smirked.

After all, that's precisely where she wants to make love to her husband next: in their pool, where they can take it easy with each other. "Then, we can have a snack before coming up here to cuddle. We need to take a break from sex now babe." Hearing his wife say that as he walked into the closet, Matt decided to play with her as he argued with her (a bit). "Aw, I was hoping to try one last time for a baby." Alex laughed. "And we will, in the pool. Then, I want to take it easy and relax in bed. Maybe even take a nap after all of this." Matt agreed with Alex, well aware that she wanted to do that as he went to get everything they needed: his boxers and a very sexy set of lingerie for his wife. "Color?" Alex smiled. "Should be a red one. Might go good with Christmas." Matt agreed with his wife, before going to grab it for her, while also grabbing some boxers; meanwhile, Alex just sat up and decided not to hold the covers up on top of her body as a way to tease her husband. And let's just say that it had it's desired effect when Matt came out of the closet.

Walking out of their closet with a towel around his waist, Matt couldn't help but stare at his wife in awe over how damn sexy she is. How happy she makes him for the simple reason that she was currently sitting up in bed, with the covers no longer on top of her body. "Damn." Smirking as she looked at Matt, Alex already knew that the man she loves was very turned on as she did this for him. "I had a feeling that you were going to enjoy this sight." Nodding, Matt agreed with Alex as he really does love the sight in front of him; the sight of his gorgeous wife sitting up in bed with the covers down. "God, you're really making me wonder whether I even want to go downstairs." Alex laughed as she heard her husband say that, well aware of just what he was talking about; he was wondering whether they should stay in bed and have fun with each other, instead of going downstairs where they can enjoy a nice swim with each other. "I want to go take a swim with you; reminisce over that nice trip we once took to Hawaii with each other in March." Matt smirked.

After all, he remembered that trip. "Yeah, that was nice." Alex agreed with Matt as she thought back to how that trip went, while also remembering what happened afterwards. "Still hate how we fought on the plane ride home about you weren't ending things with Hallie." Matt agreed with his wife as he walked away from her, before walking away to his dresser. "Sorry, I forgot to grab the lingerie you wanted me to grab." Alex smiled as she heard her husband say that. "Don't apologize to me, apologize to yourself." Matt nodded. "Just like I need to apologize for ruining your chance to be a dad earlier this year." Turning his head, Matt looked at his wife. "Sorry, what?" Alex sighed as she went to sit on their bed once more. "This is something I've been meaning to tell you for a while. And now that we're married, I feel like it's time I be honest with you." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, while also grabbing her lingerie for her. "I got pregnant on the trip to Hawaii." Matt sighed as he closed the drawer with her lingerie, before opening his drawer.

After which, he proceeded to grab his boxers and closed his drawer so that he could go be with his wife; so that he could give her comfort as he made her feel better, which is clearly what she needs right now. "Here, slip over and let me sit down next to you." Alex agreed with her husband as she went ahead and slipped over on the edge of the bed, while Matt made his way over to her so that he could sit down with her, which is precisely what he did the moment he walked up to her, he sat down next to her and placed his hand in her lap. Grabbing it, Alex turned her head and looked at her husband. "I'm sorry Matt." Shaking his head, Matt didn't want to heard that she was worried. "Hey, look at me." Alex agreed with her husband. "I get that we weren't in a good place then. We weren't together, I was still with Hallie, and we were fighting about when this was going to happen." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, as that was the truth. "And honestly, I don't know whether I would've been okay with starting a family under those conditions."

Alex nodded, as that's precisely how she felt when she made the hard decision to terminate the pregnancy. "Matt, I need you to know…ending the pregnancy was one of the hardest choices I ever made. I knew how bad you wanted to be a dad, but I also knew that you weren't ready yet; ready to commit to a life with me. You were still trying to figure out what you wanted to do." Matt sighed as he looked down. "Yeah, I was and I hate that, because I should've known all along that you were the only woman for me. If I could go back Alex, I would've chosen you months ago. I mean that and I'm so sorry. Hell, we could've been parents by now had you kept the baby." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, before placing her hand on his neck and kissing him softly. "And someday, I'll be pregnant again. Just, not yet. Right now, we need to go public with our marriage. We need to be out in the open and just be happy with each other." Matt agreed with his wife and smirked, as that most certainly is the truth. "Do you know the gender?"

Alex shook her head. "It was too early in the pregnancy. All I know, is that I promise you we will try again; and even better, I promise that I'm going to make you a father someday." Matt agreed with his wife as he leaned in and kissed her softly. "I know, and I can't wait for that. Just like I can't wait to have you in the pool, where I can show you how much I love you, which I do, regardless of whether we have children or not." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, smiling as she moved to get up, while also moving into his lap and cuddling up to him. After which, Matt wrapped his arms around her and smiled as he felt Alex place her hands on his face as she bent down and kissed him softly. And let's just say that Matt was extremely pleased as she kissed him, as he responded by kissing her with just as much passion; doing so as he took things nice and slow with his wife. However, he wasn't ready for it to stop; so, he decided that he was going to do something for her. He was going to carry her downstairs in his arms.

So, he got up and made sure to wrap her legs around his waist nice and tight; after which, Alex wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled as they both held each other close. "I love you Matt, and I promise that next time I'm pregnant…it'll be our chance to have a baby." Matt agreed with his wife, well aware that was the case as he leaned in and kissed her again. "I know baby, and I promise that I'm not mad whatsoever. We can get pregnant again." Alex agreed with her husband, smiling as she heard Matt tell her that.

Matt's POV:
When I said that I'm not mad over the fact that she aborted our child, I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart; especially since I know how hard of a decision that must've been for her. I could just hear it in her voice, the decision was a hard one to make for her, especially since she knew that I've always wanted to be a father; meanwhile, Hallie never wanted to give me children. So, for her to abort the baby meant that she was taking away my first of many chances to have a baby. And I could just tell that was probably something that was on her mind at the moment. However, I needed to let her know that I wasn't mad. And that's precisely what I plan on doing in the pool. I'm going to show her that I love her more than anything, and I'm going to show her that we can get through this. Maybe, when I was with Hallie, I wouldn't be so happy about this and wouldn't be as forgiving; but with Alex, I could forgive her. I could forgive her because I knew that she was in a horrible situation. And like she said, we weren't in a place to have a baby.

We were fighting about us becoming an official couple, and we were fighting about how much longer she was going to wait for me to break up with Hallie. So, us having a baby back then wasn't the right time. And that's precisely what Alex told me as she kissed my neck. "I want to tell you why I did it as we go downstairs babe." I agreed with Alex as I rubbed her back, while I continued to carry her downstairs. "We just weren't in a good place to have a baby. We just had a fight, we weren't together, and you hadn't left Hallie yet. I wanted my child to be raised in one home with their parents living together. I couldn't do it where we had two homes, and they had a stepmother. I could do that to our child, when I knew how much we still loved and cared for each other. If we were going to raise a child, I wanted to be with you and married first. I needed stability in my relationship with you, before I brought a child into it. I know, that's selfish but…" Stopping my wife, I proceeded to set her down on the ground and then turned her.

I turned her to lean her against the wall in the hallway just outside out room, before stepping close to her and placing my hands on her hips. "Hey, take a breath and look at me." Placing her hands on my chest, Alex agreed with me as she did just that. She looked up at me and stared into my eyes. "I understand why you did what you did. In fact, I commend you for it. If anything, I want to say that you made the right decision regardless of how much I wanted to be a father. And, I know, you're going to think I'm crazy for saying that." Alex nodded as I stepped close to her. "Hell, even I think I'm crazy for saying this. But the truth is, you made the right decision babe. I know, it probably sounds horrible…so put it this way. The choice you made wasn't between making me a dad or abortion. It was what situation you waited a raise a child with me. And back then, we weren't in a place to raise a child. Hell, we weren't even together at the time. So, in a way…I commend you for doing the right thing." Alex agreed with me, smiling as I told her that.

Meanwhile, I got nice and close to her; prior to wrapping my arms around her waist and bringing her body against my chest. Leaning in, I took things nice and slow with her. "I love you, and we're going to get pregnant real soon." Alex took a breath. "Me too. Can we still talk about it downstairs though? It's been on my mind of late." I was a bit confused when I heard Alex say that. "Is there a reason why it's on your mind?" Getting close to me, Alex wrapped her arms around my back before looking up into my eyes. "I would be due any day now had I stayed pregnant." And god, hearing that just broke my heart; and I could clearly see that Alex was hurting too. "Listen, how about we head downstairs and to the pool? Let's go take it easy and I can show you something." Alex agreed with me as I told her that, clearly more than ready to go downstairs to take a swim with me. So, I grabbed her hand and intertwined our fingers so that I could lead her away downstairs. However, I also thought about what she said. How we'd have a newborn right now.

How we'd be parents to a newborn baby, had I not gone back to Hallie and just stayed with her earlier this year.