The Ten Year Affair (22 page)

“I have to stop baby. We have a lot to talk about before we get too
crazy. I want you but I want it to be right, to be special. It’s been so long.
I want us both to treasure what we’ve missed all these months.”

“I understand Ian. I feel the same way.” She raised her palm to his cheek
and brushed a kiss across his lips and threaded her other hand through his
gorgeous, thick hair.

“I want you to know Ian that I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me
without any promises. I’d rather have a little piece of you than nothing at
all.” She smiled. “And I also want you to know that every time with you is
special to me.”

“You don’t understand Alex. We can’t go on like we have been. It’s not right.
It’s not fair to you or Lauren and it’s not what I want. It’s never truly been
what I wanted but I’ve been such a selfish fool. We need to talk Alex. Can I
show you our house tonight when this fundraiser is over and we can talk in
private and sort this all out?”

“Our house?” He couldn’t mean… “Ian I don’t understand…”

“Alexandra?!”

Ian regrettably pulled away from her.

“Damn Alex! Who’s that?”

Alex was breathing hard and her lips were swollen from his ravishing. She
couldn’t think.

“Ah…ah…it’s Daddy. Probably wondering why I’ve been out here so long.”

“There you are honey. Are you ever…Oh, excuse me. Hello Ian.” Ian
shuffled somewhat behind Alex to hide his semi-hard erection and felt eighteen
again. “You’ve got a mess of people inside wondering if the guest of honor has
skipped out on them. I suggest you get back inside and don’t forget, I’d like
to have a few words with you yet this evening.”

Ian grabbed Alex’s shoulders and she looked up to him with desire still
shimmering in her glorious green eyes.

“Your father’s right Alexandra. I need to get back inside. I know I have
no right to ask you this right now but…..well, Alexandra would you be my date
for the rest of the evening?”

“Ian I’d love to but...”

“Don’t turn the man down because of your father Alexandra. I’ve been
neglecting you as it is all evening catching up with all the friends I’ve not
seen in awhile and I know you’ve been bored to tears. I’ll manage just fine by
myself. Besides, Ian’s chances of winning votes will only triple with you by his
side. Come along now you two.”

Ian grinned and kissed Alex on the cheek and whispered, “He’s right you
know. I can’t possibly go wrong with you by my side. And I’ve made up my mind
that by my side is where you are going to stay.”

***

The night seemed to last forever. Alexandra glowed as she made the rounds
with Ian expounding his virtues to all that would listen. Her excitement at the
possibility of Ian becoming the Creighton County Prosecutor was infectious as
she explained why the county would be fortunate to have someone as talented and
caring as Ian in that position. Her anticipation of what Ian and her would talk
about later that evening also contributed to her glow. He had said ‘our house’
but Alex dared not get her hopes up. She had been crushed too often by reading
more into Ian’s words than he had meant. Maybe Peter had simply misunderstood
Ian’s intentions. Maybe Ian planned to offer the house to her as his kept
mistress. Maybe he just meant it would be their house as in a place to carry on
their affair.

The evening finally wore down and Alexandra cringed as Ian excused
himself to have ‘that talk’ with her father. Peter and Angela strolled up to
her to say their farewells.

“Lexie, Angela and I are heading out. It’s been a great evening. We’ll
see you in the morning. Not only Ian, but you also have impressed many people
here tonight. Looks like you were born to be a politician’s wife. You’re a
natural.”

“All right Peter. Quit joking. I’ll see both of you in the morning.
Thanks for coming Angela.”

“Peter’s right Alex. It was a great evening.” She cast a quick, sly
glance at Peter and continued. “It’s obvious to everyone,
including
Peter, that you and Ian belong together.”

Peter chuckled and gave Alex a quick kiss on the cheek. “You’ll never get
me to publicly admit that though. After all, I’m the guy you dumped. Goodnight
Lex.”

***

Alexander hoped he could have a civil talk with Ian without having to
punch him as Chester had done.

“Alexander, before you get started I want you to know that Alexandra and
I are going to be married. If I can convince her to forgive me for being such a
damn fool it will be sooner than later. Do you have a problem with that sir?”

Alexander’s face registered both joy and relief. “Well, it’s about damn
time. I guess I don’t have to have that talk with you after all.”

Alexander approached Ian and shook his hand. “Welcome to the family son.
I only wish it hadn’t taken you so long to figure out what a catch my daughter
is.”

“I’ve always known what a catch your daughter is Alexander. I just felt
she deserved better than I could give her. But I admit I’ve been a stupid fool
and I promise you I’ve come to my senses. My top priorities right now are
making Alexandra and Lauren happy.”

“Ian I’ve watched you with my daughter for quite some time now. I know
you love her and believe it or not I understand why you’ve acted the way you
have because I behaved as foolishly as you at one time in my life. Ian, I don’t
think I have to tell you this but I will regardless. If you dare hurt my baby
girl any more than you already have in the last decade I’ll take a swing at you
myself and it’ll carry a bit more oompff than Chester’s did.”

Ian grimaced and rubbed his chin at the memory of Chester’s fist
connecting with his jaw.

“I understand sir. I understand. I intend to spend the rest of my life
trying to make things up to Alexandra.”

“I’m easy to convince Ian. But I warn you, you won’t convince her
grandmother so easily.”

Ian cringed. “I’m aware of that sir. Very aware of that.”

***

As Peter and Angela left the party Alex’s father approached. “I’m ready
to go Alexandra. I understand Ian will be bringing you along home later?”

“Yes, Daddy. We have some things to discuss. Do you think Mom and Grandma
mind keeping an eye on Lauren for a bit longer?”

“Don’t you worry about Lauren. There are numerous people in that house at
her beck and call.”

“Daddy I hope you weren’t too hard on Ian.”

“Alexandra, Ian and I have an understanding. That’s all I’m saying about
our conversation. Anything else you want to know will have to come from him.
Just remember what I told you earlier before the party. Goodnight my love.”

Alexandra and her father embraced long and hard. Remember what he’d said
earlier Alex thought. He’d told her to trust Ian and be patient and all would
work out fine.

“Good night Daddy. I love you so much and I’m so happy you’re back.”

“Goodnight Alexandra.”
Grant kissed his little girl and left with a light heart. He wouldn’t have to
worry quite as much about his baby girl after tonight.

***

It seemed as though they
had driven forever before Ian finally pulled up in front of a white, two-story
home on an isolated dirt road outside of the city. From what Alexandra could
see in the dark, the home was perfectly landscaped with flowers of all shapes
and sizes and a beautiful weeping willow in the side yard. The house had a
circle driveway and a porch with an old-fashioned rocker and porch swing. Alex
jumped from the car before Ian had a chance to say anything.

“Oh Ian. It’s beautiful! It’s every little
girl’s dream house!”

“I remember one
particular little girl who use to tell me she was going to live in a house just
like this when she grew up and married her daddy.”

Alex blushed.

“You would remember my silly little girl
chatter.”

Ian took her hand and led her to the porch swing. They sat down and
slowly swung in the cool night breeze and listened to the night’s sounds.

“Besides the marrying your daddy part, it wasn’t really silly little girl
chatter though was it Alex? What do you think? I know you haven’t seen the
inside yet and I know it’s quite a ways from town but what do you think? Hear
how quiet it is? We could sleep out under the stars some nights; camp out back
in a tent with Lauren when she gets older. Do you like it Alexandra?”

Alex shivered as he draped his arm across the back of the swing and
lightly caressed her shoulder. She still wasn’t sure what he was asking.

“It is a beautiful home Ian. I think Lauren would love spending some time
out here.”

“I’m not talking about simply spending some time here Alex. I’m talking
about living here together. As a family. Ian grabbed Alex by her arms and
turned her to face him. I’m asking you to marry me Alex.”

Ian reached in his pocket and pulled out the black velvet box he’d been
carrying with him since the day he’d thought he’d lost Alex forever. The day
Mayor Addison had announced her engagement to Peter.

“I’ve been carrying this around awhile. Ever since the day of Mayor
Addison’s party. The night you broke my heart and announced you were marrying
Peter. Alex, I thought I’d die that night. I couldn’t believe I was that close
to having it all and Peter pulled the rug out from underneath me. Then I acted
like a complete ass that night and insulted you just to hurt you like I was
hurting. Please tell me I’m not too late Alex. Please tell me you’ll marry me.
Be my lover, my wife, the mother of my children. I’ve been foolish lying to
myself, lying to you. I love you Alex. I’ve loved you since kindergarten and my
feelings for you have only gotten stronger.” He took her face in his hands and
gently wiped her tears away with his thumbs.

“Please don’t cry Alex. But for gods sake put me out of my misery. Will
you be my wife?”

Ian opened the black box and slipped the sparkling oval diamond
surrounded by emeralds the color of Alex’s eyes on her finger.

“Alex?”

Alex couldn’t find her voice. She had dreamed of this moment her whole
life but had accepted the fact that it would never happen. She finally was able
to stammer out her thoughts.

“Ian? Are you telling me you were going to ask me to marry you before you
found out about me and Peter?”

“I had planned to ask you myself that night at the Mayor’s party but
Peter beat me to it. Just ask Tom.”

“Ian the ring is so beautiful but are you sure? Are you sure this is what
you want? What about your career, what about…”

“Alexandra, none of that matters any more. I was only kidding myself. I
realized that nothing I could accomplish in my career would mean anything if I
didn’t have you to share it with me. I was more afraid of not being able to be
the husband and father that you and Lauren need but I’ll regret it my whole
life if I don’t even try. Will you give me the chance to try Alex? I believe I can
have the career I want with you and if I can’t, then I choose you. I choose you
Alex.”

Alex threw herself in Ian’s arms and sobbed.

“Yes! Oh Ian yes! There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted more than to be your
wife. I love you Ian. I’ve loved you my whole life. You won’t have to give up
any of your dreams. You’ll see.”

Ian took her mouth hard. He tasted her salty tears or were they his
tears? His tongue plunged into her mouth just like he longed to plunge his
manhood into her wet heat.

“Alex I need to get you out of that dress now. Do you know what that
dress has been doing to me all night?”

Alex grinned and giggled.

“It obviously did just what I’d hoped it would do….drive you crazy. Just
as you’ve been driving me crazy. I need you more than ever now Ian. Lauren
needs her daddy too.”

Ian reached behind her to slowly unzip her dress. He whispered in her
ear.

“I moved one piece of furniture over today Alex. Let me show you our
bedroom...”

“Julia, Claire, anybody! Where the hell is everybody?!” Ian was rushing
frantically around the foyer of  Alex’s grandparents’ house with Lauren
following close behind and Andy in his arms.

“Now just calm down Ian. We’re all here. Come to great-grandma little
Lauren dear.” Lauren ran into the arms of her great grandmother while Ian quickly
kissed her little brother Andy and handed him to Claire as she walked into the
foyer.

“Where’s Alex Ian? Still in the car?” said Claire as she greeted her
gorgeous blonde grandchildren with a kiss and hug.

“Yes. I told her not to dare get out of the...”

“Mom. This brute won’t let me use the bathroom.”

Claire sat little Andy down by her mother and rushed to Alex’s side and
wrapped her arm around her waist. “Here baby. Let me help you. How far apart
are your pains?”

“What the hell are you doing Alex? I asked you to stay in the car. We
need to get you to the hospital. Now!”

“Ian you did not
ask
me to stay in the car you
demanded
that
I stay in the car even though my bladder is about to burst!” Alex turned to her
mother. “My pains are a good twenty minutes apart yet but he won’t listen to
me. He thinks because he can boss people around in the courtroom he can boss me
around too.”

“Shhhhhh. I know dear, I know. Let’s get you to the bathroom dear.
Grandma will take care of the judge.”

Ian paced the foyer running his hands through his hair.

“I don’t understand Julia. After just barely making it to the hospital
with Lauren and Andy why is she not listening to me? We shouldn’t be monkeying
around but she’s been dilly-dallying since her pains started and refused to go
to the hospital. Do you know I finally had to grab her up and throw her in the
car myself?”

Julia smiled. She had had her doubts about Ian when he and Julia wed but
he’d proven to be a wonderful father and husband over the last ten years. She
had never seen her granddaughter happier and Lauren and Andy certainly loved their
daddy. Now their third child was about to be born and she was enjoying seeing
the usually stoic judge completely frazzled. As Julia sat down in the living
room with her lively great grandchildren she tried to soothe Ian.