“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 Add
ison 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...”
Epilogue
“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.
“Ian my granddaughter is a pretty intelligent woman wouldn’t you agree?”
“Well yes but…”
“But nothing Ian. If she had any doubt that your baby was at risk you know she would be begging you to take her to the hospital ASAP. Just try to relax and enjoy this experience since you didn’t have that luxury with the other two. You have to remain calm for your wife. Acting like you are will just add stress to an already stressful situation. Just be there for her, let her call the shots, and hold her hand. And for heaven sakes quit pacing!”
“Julia I’m scared. I love Alex so much. I don’t want anything to happen to her. Dear god she almost gave birth to Lauren in the courthouse and Andy in a courtroom for gods sake! You’d think she’d want to get to the hospital at the first sign of any pain. I promise you one thing. I will not do this to Alex again!”
“Do what to me again?” Alex had caught the end of Ian’s diatribe as she returned from the bathroom with her mother.
“I am never getting you pregnant again Alex. This is it. Three children are enough, aren’t they?”
“Ian I think I’d like to talk about this another time and in private.” She smiled and teasingly held her hands out to Ian.
“I’m ready to be rushed to the hospital now.” Ian stepped towards her and bent to pick her up in his arms. “Ian Foster you will not carry me to that car again. I can walk fine on my own.”
“Do you know that I have never known anyone as stubborn as you in my life Alexandra Foster? And I’ve dealt with a lot of stubborn attorneys over the years. Why won’t you let me take care of you?”
Alex’s heart suddenly melted. He was right. This gorgeous, disheveled man standing before her just wanted to take care of her and she was being stubborn. She took his face in her hands and gently kissed the worry off his face.
“I love you Ian and I promise I will let you take care of me for the rest of my life.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “It would be nice if you’d carry me to the car after all Ian. Now…let’s go have this baby.”
Ian smiled and stooped over to pick up his wife and gave her a long lingering kiss. Julia smiled to herself. Her granddaughter was very intelligent indeed.
Table of Contents
The Ten Year Affair
By Hope Raye Collins
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
The Ten Year Affair Page 17