The Ten Year Affair (11 page)

“You’re so tight baby. So tight and it feels so good to be inside you.
Will you be this tight after the baby is born? Will we still fit so good then?
Will you still be with me after the baby Alex? Tell me Alex. Tell me I need to
know. His thrusting became harder and faster. “I need to know Alex is the baby
mine? Tell me Alex. Am I going to be a father? Please Alex. Tell me the truth. Tell
me…tell me.”

“Oh my god,”
Alex thought. What do I say? What do I say? Alex was
so near the edge now. Harder, faster, deeper he thrust as he continued to
question her.

“Is the baby mine Alex? Is it Grainger’s? Talk to me baby. Tell me. I
need to know Alex. Dear god I need to know. Is the baby mine? Is it mine Alex?!”

“Yes! My god yes Ian! It’s your baby. It’s your baby!” With those words
they both tumbled over the edge with Ian brutally thrusting inside her and
coming with a force she had never seen before. He cried out her name as she
clung to him, her legs wrapped firmly about his waist. When their climaxes
ended they remained against the wall and didn’t move. Alex was frightened. She
didn’t know what to think. What would happen now? Would he be happy about the
baby? Would he want her to get rid of it? Ian finally broke the silence.

“Yes Alex! Oh, yes baby, yes! That’s what I wanted.” Ian cupped her cheek
so he could hold her still and look directly into her eyes. “I never asked Alex
but are you happy about the baby? Do you want our child?”

“Oh, Ian of course I’m happy. I would never consider not having your baby
Ian. I’m going to hate myself for telling you this but I’ve never been with
Peter. I’ve never been with anyone but you. You’re the only possible father of
my baby.”

“What?” Ian said in disbelief. “Alex I...really?” He said with a grin.

“Yes really you jerk. Now don’t get a big head about that and put me
down. My legs are about to fall off.”

Ian gave her one last hug and twirled her around. He patted her on the
behind and nudged her toward the bathroom. “Go get yourself cleaned up baby.
We’re going shopping.”

“Shopping? What for?”

“We need to get ready for this baby of course. Now scoot along and hurry
up.”

“Ian we need to talk before we go shopping. I mean seriously talk.”

“I know Alex but I don’t want to spoil this good feeling yet by getting
serious. Let’s just enjoy ourselves today. Okay?”

“Okay,” Alex agreed. Well, here goes. What have I got to lose? Alex
grabbed Ian's face with both hands and declared her feelings in a soft voice
yet very firmly. “I want you to know Ian Foster that I love you and I love this
baby and you will talk to me about what this all means sooner or later. I won’t
be put off for long.” She gave him a short, tender, wet kiss and went off to
get freshened up. There, she had finally done it. She had declared her love to
the idiot now he was going to have to deal with her and the baby. She only
hoped that by admitting her love to him that she hadn’t blown her and her
baby’s future.

The afternoon was the best afternoon of Alex’s life. Ian had gone crazy
on this shopping spree. He’d bought a bedroom set for the baby including a
changing table, dresser and crib as well as a musical mobile for the crib. He’d
bought quite an array of baby toys as well and now they were in Baby’s ‘R Us
looking at clothing that could be bought without knowing the baby’s sex. Alex
finally had to put a stop to the spending.

“Ian I am so pleased that you are excited about the baby but I really
don’t have the room to store all this in my apartment yet. You’ve got to give
me some time to figure out how I’m going to arrange things. I haven’t thought
that far ahead yet.”

“Apartment? Alex you won’t be living in an apartment with the baby. But
we’ll talk about that later.”

“Actually, no Ian. We need to talk about all this now. It seems as though
you’re making decisions for me without consulting me. Who says I won’t be in my
apartment? Let’s get out of here and go get something to eat and talk. I’m
starving.”

“All right babe. I’m pretty hungry too. And we’ll talk.” They checked out
their purchases and when they left the store they bumped right into Don
Anderson.

Alex saw the shock register on Don’s face.
“That’s just great,”
thought Alex. She knew Don would rush back to the office and mention something
to Peter about seeing her with Ian.

“Alex…Foster. Good to see you. What brings you over to Babies ‘R Us?”

“This cannot be happening,”
thought Alex. Think fast girl...think
fast.

While she was still anxiously trying to think of an answer Ian spoke up.

“My brother just had a new little one last week and Alex was kind enough
to come along shopping with me to suggest what they might need. It’s their
first.”

“Well how nice. My granddaughter’s expecting her first and my wife is
invited to a shower this weekend but she’s been ill so she asked me to run over
and pick up some things for her. She’s been quite sick for a few days now. I
thought maybe that was the bug you’d picked up Alex. How are you feeling today
dear? Did you get plenty of rest?”

“I’m feeling much better thanks Don. I knew all I really needed was a
good night’s sleep and I intend to get back home and take a nap as soon as this
man feeds me like he promised for helping him out. How ‘bout that dinner
Foster?”

“One thing I’ve learned about women Don is that they are monsters when
they’re hungry. I better get some food in this little lady’s belly and get her
home to bed.”

Ian sent Alex a sly grin at that last remark and saw her wince.

“I suspect I’ll see you next week Don during the Jacobs trial?”

“You sure will Foster and I hope you aren’t bribing my counsel with
dinner to get her to divulge her secrets.”

Ian chuckled.

“If only it were that easy to get her to talk. She never shows me any
mercy.”

“Well good. I’m glad to hear that. I’ll see you tomorrow Alex.”

Don left with a nod to Ian and a puzzled look on his face and entered the
store.

“Thanks for the save Ian. I was stumbling in my mind with what to say to
him. I’m sure he’s wondering why I’m not at home resting. Did your brother Max
really have a baby last week?”

“Yeah he did. A little boy, 7 lbs. 8 ounces. I can’t wait to get to Ohio to see him. They named him Samuel Ian. Take a look at his picture.”

While Ian dug out his wallet Alex noticed a familiar figure approaching
them on the sidewalk. Oh, no!

Alex grabbed Ian’s sleeve and whispered.

“Ian...Ian...

“What baby?” Ian looked up just as Grandmother Fairchild strode up to the
couple. Things could not get any worse. First Don, who would undoubtedly
mention to Peter that he’d seen her here and relate to him Ian’s little quip
about getting her home to bed, and now Grandmother. When had Babies ‘R Us
become such a popular shopping spot?

“Hello Grandmother,” Alex said a little too happily. “What brings you
this way?”

“I have a baby gift to buy for Amelia Anderson’s granddaughter’s baby
shower. Would you please explain to me why you are here and more importantly
why are you here with him? Shouldn’t you both be at work?”

“Well, hello Julia. It’s very nice to see you,” Ian said ignoring Julia’s
rude comment. “Alex was helping me pick out a few gifts for my new nephew. Max
and Karen just had a baby boy last week. I’m playing hooky today but I
understand Alex was given the day off after her big victory yesterday.”

“Yes. I read about that victory in the newspaper this morning. It’s a
shame my granddaughter couldn’t take a second to phone her grandmother about
her good fortune.”

“I’m sorry Grandmother. Things just all happened so fast I didn’t think
to call and then I got sick...” Damn. That was the wrong thing to say.

“Sick? I thought you looked a little peaked. You have terrible bags under
your eyes. Didn’t you get any sleep last night?” She sent Ian a glare making it
obvious that she thought Ian had kept her up all night.

“I’m feeling much better Grandmother. I did get some good rest. I’m
headed home right now to take a nap.”

“Well, since you’re here why don’t you help me with my gift selection
like you did Foster here and then I’ll drop you back home?”

“Thanks Grandmother but Ian owes me dinner for my help. We’re going to
get take out somewhere then I really do need to get to bed. I’m feeling pretty
tired.”

“Fine dear, fine. I understand. May I talk to you a second please before
you go?” Julia pulled Alex away from Ian so they could speak in private.

“I want you to know young lady that I don’t like this. I don’t like this
at all. How are you ever going to make a clean break from this man if you keep
encouraging him? Helping him to pick out baby gifts. How absurd! I would think
the man could do well enough on his own. He didn’t need your help. It was just
an excuse to see you, to get you alone. You make sure you send him off at the
door when you get home. Don’t even consider letting him in the door.”

“Grandmother please. I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry.”

“I do worry Alexandra. It’s still fresh in my mind the way I found you
just a few months ago and I don’t want a repeat.”
“Why wouldn’t Alexandra
give that wonderful boy Peter a chance?”
Julia lamented to herself.

“I love it that you worry about me Grandmother but really, this time you
don’t need to. Is dinner still on at your place Friday night? I’m really
craving Maria’s cherry cheesecake if you wouldn’t mind putting a bug in her ear
about it.”

“All right dear. I’ll make sure Maria’s cheesecake is on the menu. Be
there at 6:30 and we’ll eat at 7:00. Your grandfather is so looking forward to
seeing you. You make yourself too scarce.”

“Grandmother may I bring a guest?”

“Why of course dear. Just please don’t tell me...”

“Grandmother behave. Yes, it just might be Ian but maybe not. I have to
ask him if he’s available then. I really would like for you and Grandfather to
get to know him better. That’s all. Don’t get any ideas beyond that in your
head, okay?” Ian was going to be the father of her baby. She may as well start
now at trying to bring her family together with him.

“I’ll see you Friday my dear.” Julia cupped Alex’s face in her hands and
kissed each cheek. “I love you Alexandra. I’ll do whatever I need to protect
you and keep you happy.” Julia and Alex joined Ian again.

“Good day Foster. Feed my granddaughter well and get her back to bed.
Alone!” Ian braved a smile and a little wave to Julia as she entered the store.

Alex turned to look at Ian.

“Grandma doesn’t like me much does she?” Ian said.

Alex chuckled.

“Honestly Ian no, she doesn’t, but we can overcome that if you want to.
If she spent some time around you she would find out you aren’t such a bad
fella. How about dinner at her place Friday night?”

Ian grimaced. “Awww, Alex you’re killing me! I suppose with Grandpa
Chester there it won’t be so bad. He will be there won’t he?”

“Yes, he’ll be there so Grandmother should behave herself...somewhat.”

“Gee, that’s reassuring. I feel much better about it. Come on, let’s go
eat and then I need to get you back to bed like grandma ordered.” One corner of
his mouth curled up as he tried to hold back the grin.

“You are a devil Ian Foster.” Alex smiled and thought that she had never
been so happy in her life. Maybe things were finally coming together for her.

They’d talked at dinner that day but not about anything serious. Not
about the future. Ian kept avoiding any kind of serious conversation. He’d
taken her home, put her to bed and left with a promise to call her that night.
He never called. He never made Friday night’s dinner with her grandparents. In
fact, she had not spoken to him since that glorious day they’d shared together.
It had already been a week since she had told him she loved him and was
carrying his child. She had vowed she would not be the one to call first. If he
was really happy about the baby and had any kind of feelings for her at all he
was going to have to work them out himself.

The baby furniture had been delivered and she had found space enough in
her bedroom but it was pretty cramped. She had asked the apartment complex to
put her on the waiting list for a two-bedroom apartment and hopefully something
would open up before the baby came. The baby was due at the end of March just
about the time her parents were due back from Australia. She hadn’t broken the
news about her pregnancy yet to Peter, her parents or her grandparents but she
knew she needed to soon. She was already close to four and a half months along
and starting to show. Her clothes barely slipped over her tummy any more.

Today was the start of jury selection for the Jacobs trial. She would
have to walk into that courtroom and face Ian and act as though nothing was out
of the ordinary. When she arrived at the courthouse along with Peter Ian was
already there and being bombarded by the press. This case was important to the
prosecutor’s office as they were putting themselves on the line by bringing
charges against Anthony Jacobs, a very well respected man in the community. 
Jacobs was the principal for the last thirty years at Jefferson High School taking the job at the age of thirty. He’d been offered jobs several times
throughout the years to work in the school corporation’s administration but he
had always turned them down in favor of staying on at the high school where he
could stay involved with the kids. Jacobs had even been the school’s football coach
for several years and lead the team to a state championship. Of course, that
was the year he had macho man Ian Foster as his quarterback.

Principal Jacobs was about to go on trial for statutory rape. One of the
female students at Jefferson claimed that Jacobs had seduced her in his home.
Ian and Alex had never talked about the case at all except professionally as
they needed to but Alex could tell that Ian was not comfortable trying this
case. She knew that regardless, he would do his job the best that he could to
win a conviction. Alex had her own doubts about the case. She had Jacobs’s
assurances that he was innocent. He claimed he had been faithful to his wife
during their entire marriage and had never even considered touching another woman
let alone a student. Marcia Jacobs was standing behind her husband and her
presence and support at the trial would be critical to winning this case.