‘Ben and Amber are outside mother, why don’t you let Alexia say hello to Dad and we’ll go find them.’
‘Oh yes, of course.’ she smiled at Alexia as she moved over to hug Tim before going outside to the children.
James held Alexia’s hand as they walked out to the garden where Amber was chasing Ben because he’d taken her ball.
‘Hey guys, Grandma and granddad are here.’ James shouted, ‘And Ben give Amber her ball back.’
Ben dropped the ball and they both ran up to their grandparents and gave them a big hug.
‘OH MY!’ Mary cried out, ‘Look at you two, you’re both the double of your parents.’ She had tears running down her face.’Oh Tim, look at them, so precious. I never thought this day would come.’
James and Tim looked at each other and rolled their eyes and Tim went and gave them a hug, whilst Alexia smiled with tears in her eyes at Mary with the kids. James put his arm around her and kissed her forehead.
They spent the rest of the afternoon having lunch, catching up and laughing, having the best time. Alexia and Mary sat talking and drinking wine whilst watching the men play football with the children.
‘So James told me about your mother dear, I’m so sorry you had to go through that and bring up the twins on your own. I hope that witch gets what’s coming to her.’ Mary said whilst topping up her glass.
‘Yeah it was difficult, they were tough time’s.’ she smiled at Mary. ‘But I have you all now.’
‘That you do my dear, that you do.’ Mary smiled back.
Alexia looked up from her kindle and looked round to see Ben and Amber in the garden so she got up and walked in search of James. He looked up at her as she entered his office and watched as she walked up over to him, he leant back in his chair to allow her to straddle him. Her lips found his.
‘Ummmm what was that for?’ He asked as she pulled away.
‘Just because I love you,’ she smiled.
‘Well I’m glad about that cause I love you too,’ he smiled back and pushed a bit of her hair out of her face. ‘Mum is going to come and watch the kids on Friday and dads going to come watch me fight.’
Alexia bit her lip and looked nervous. ‘OK,’ she whispered.
‘Hey what’s up?’ He held her face and looked at her.
‘I’m just nervous, I’m not sure what expect.’
‘You expect me kicking someone’s arse,’
Alexia rolled her eyes, ‘What if something happens and you get hurt?’
‘Baby, there’s a reason I’m undefeated, don’t worry.’
‘Cocky… much,’ she looked at him with a smirk, but he didn’t answer he just kissed her.
19
Friday night came and Alexia stood in the cage feeling so nervous she felt sick, but not from performing, because she was going to watch James fight for the first time. She looked to the side of her and there was James’s dad and his friend sat at their table, he waved to her and she waved back as the music started. After half an hour of performing and making sure all her under-aged performers had gone home, Alexia joined everyone at the table and waited for the fight to start. She nervously played with a leaflet on the table and gazed at it:
The rules of cage fighting
* Anything goes. Except butting, eye-gouging, hair-pulling, fish-hooking, groin attacks, putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration, joint manipulation.
* For safety reasons, no striking to the spine or the back of the head, no striking downward using the point of the elbow, no throat strikes, including without limit, grabbing the trachea.
* When on the ground, no clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh, no grabbing the clavicles, no kicking, kneeing or stomping the head of a grounded opponent, and no kicking the kidney with a heel.
* Throwing is permitted, except spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck, throwing an opponent out of he ring or fenced area, holding an opponents shorts or gloves.
* No spitting, no holding ropes or fence, no abusive language, no attacking during the break, after the bell has sounded, or while the opponent is under the care of the referee.
Timidity and the corner throwing in the towel during the contest are forbidden.
Alexia was absorbing the information when she heard Tim shout, ‘Here he comes.’ She looked up and watched James walk up to the entrance to get to his position. His eyes never left Alexia’s, he winked at her as he turned to face the middle and watched his opponent get checked and stand in his place. Butterflies flew through Alexia’s’ stomach, mixed emotions swept over her…fear, pride, she was aroused at the sight of him pumped up and sweaty.
‘Don’t worry my love, he’ll be fine.’ Alexia jumped at the sound of Tim’s voice, she’d been so focused on James she hadn’t seen him move to sit next to her. She looked up at him and smiled.
‘Ladies and Gentlemen...’ Alexia jumped out of her skin again, ‘...It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for!’
“No really it’s not.” Alexia thought to herself as the crowd went wild. She looked around and then stared at the floor to pull herself together, “stop being so silly, he’s going to be fine you stupid woman,” she told to herself and the next thing she heard was: ‘fighting from the red corner….Jay Taylor,’ she flicked her eyes up to look at James who was staring right at her, she smiled at him and he winked at her again as he turned to face his opponent. Again she drifted off trying to calm her down and looked around the table at everyone getting pumped by the atmosphere. Sarah was sat on Sam’s knee and Tracy was sat next to Matt who was holding her hand. The next thing she knew the bell was ringing. She looked though her fingers and watched as James headed straight for the other guy, punching and kicking him, forcing him back against the cage where he kneed him in the ribs a couple of times. But his opponent managed to get a punch in right on his James’ eye forcing his head back. Taking the punch, James then put the guy in a headlock and punched him in the ribs. They fall to the floor and James wrapped his legs round him and his opponent tried his hardest to get out of it. Eventually he did and managed to stand up whilst holding on to James’ legs. James struggled and got them free whilst knocking his opponent down, he made the mistake of leaning over him to punch him and his opponent grabbed him and wrapped his legs round him and put him in a head lock. Sam, Sarah, Matt, Tracy and Tim all stand up and start shouting at James, supporting him and Alexia covers her eyes. Just then the crowd went wild and Alexia looked up to see James had not only managed to get up but he’s slammed his opponent into the cage. Breathing a sigh of relief she continued to watch with her hands on her face ready to cover her eyes.
James’ opponent again managed to push James off him and he stumbled back into the middle of the ring, He started walking up to James ready to punch him but James dodged and caught him off guard as he punched him right on the nose, knocking him to the floor. Everyone jumped up and down and the ref got hold of James’ hand and lifts it in the air to show the fight was his. Alexia jumped up and celebrated with everyone.
James and Alexia, Sam and Sarah and Matt and Tracy all go out afterwards to celebrate yet another victory. As they entered the club James got bombarded by fans congratulating him and he grabbed hold of Alexia and held onto her tightly. She wasn’t sure if it was for her sake or his own. The club security came up and helped them get safely to the private room. Alexia, Sarah and Tracy walked in first and just as James was about to follow someone from the crowd shouted: ‘Next time Taylor! I’ll get you next time!!’ James, Matt and Sam turn round to see the guy James had just beaten. James walked towards him when he felt Alexia’s hand on him, he stopped and turned to look at her.
‘Baby please don’t, he’s just being a knob head. Leave it.’
James battled with himself for a moment. Normally he wouldn’t let anyone get away with talking to him like that, especially somebody who he’d just set on his back. But Alexia’s look was enough to make him realise he wasn’t worth it, she was. He n
odded his head and started to make his way back her.
‘AAWWW look at that, Taylor is under the thumb. Why don’t you come over here to me sweetheart and I’ll show you what’s it’s like to be with a real man! I’ll show you a good time in the bedroom as well, chuck one up you several times a day darling.’ He snarled. It made Alexia’s blood run cold.
‘That’s it! James snapped and he shot over to him before Alexia had even realised he’d let of her hand. He punched him hard in the face again knocking him clean out, then walked back over to Alexia and taking hold of her, breezed his way into the private lounge. “Just like that”, Alexia thought.
‘Holy shit James, you knocked him clean out.’ Matt exclaimed.
‘Piece of shit deserved it!’ he said as he pulled Alexia down on his knee and wrapped his arms around her, ‘Are you ok?’ he asked whilst kissing her neck.
‘I’m fine but if you keep doing that we might have a problem.’
20
All of them were sat enjoying the evening in the private room laughing and joking when the door suddenly opened and two police officers appeared.
‘James Taylor?’
‘That’s me,’ James said as he moved Alexia off his knee.
An officer walked toward James, ‘James Taylor I am arresting you on suspicion of grievous bodily harm………’
They all stood up and gasped, followed by the girls shouting at them.
‘I don’t think so pal,’ Tracy shouted.
‘You’re having a laugh, he hasn’t done anything wrong,’ Alexia followed.
‘That guy started it you dumbass,’ Sarah screamed.
Matt and Sam hold the girls back and another officer put some handcuffs on James. He stared at the officer but said nothing.
‘You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you may later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’
They started to take James away as the girls manage to pull away from Matt and Sam. They block the door front of James and the two officers as they tried to exit.
‘You’re making a mistake,’ Tracy hissed as she holds out her hands to stop them.
‘Miss, get out of the way now before you get yourself arrested.’
Matt pulled Tracy out the way and got hold of her face to make her look at him, ‘Baby, let me and Sam handle this.’
Tracy turned to face the officer again, ‘you better get your facts straight officer and release him because I’m going to make sure you never work as an officer again!!’
‘Are you threatening me?’ The officer asked.
‘NO! Making a promise and before you get clever with me I suggest you go back and find out who I am.’
The officer just laughed at her, ‘I’m just doing my job miss and if your friend here wasn’t so handy with his fists, he wouldn’t be getting arrested.’
James turned and shouted for Alexia, ‘Babe go home with the Tracy and Sarah and leave it to Matt and Sam to sort out. Everything will be fine.’ She so badly wanted to argue with him but she knew they would have it sorted within a few hours.
‘Right come on ladies, let’s get you home,’ Sam said as Matt picked up his phone and called someone. Stopping outside James and Alexia’s house, Sam got out to open the car doors for the girls. Alexia walked in silence to the front door. Tracy and Sarah waited for her to go in before they turned to the guys.
‘Don’t worry about a thing, we’ll have him out in no time,’ Matt winks at Tracy and then kisses her.
‘Stay with Alexia until we get back.’ Sam said as he kissed Sarah ‘See you both in a bit.’
‘Don’t get yourselves arrested!’ Tracy shouted after them.
‘Haven’t done yet babe,’ Matt boasted as they both got back in the car. As Matt drove off he stuck his tongue out at Tracy and pulled a stupid face. She rolled her eyes at him and walked into the house to find Alexia was pacing the floor with tears running down her face ‘That stupid arse Mike started it, he deserved getting knocked out!’
Tracy went up too her, ‘We all know that but I promise it will be all fine, the guys will sort it out,’ she smiled at her. Just then they heard footsteps coming down the stairs, they looked up to see Mary and Tim.
‘Did you all have a lovely time…….’ but she was cut off as Tim noticed Alexia was crying, ‘goodness Alexia dear, what’s the matter?’ Tim asked as he went over to comfort her.
‘There was an incident in the nightclub with that stupid arse Mike and James knocked him out and now he’s been arrested. Matt and Sam have gone to sort it out,’ Tracy answered for her.
Mary gasped, ‘Oh no, Tim my poor boy is at the police station, you have to do something.’
‘Calm down Mary, Matt and Sam can do a lot more for him then I can. They’ll sort it don’t worry now,’ Tim said calmly, ‘Now who’s for a cup of tea?’
‘Oh Tim!’ Mary exclaimed, ‘How can you think of tea at a time like this?’
‘He’s been arrested Mary, he’s not dead,’ Tim said as he walked over to the kettle.
Everyone went and sat in the front room with their drinks. ‘What did you mean when you said to the officer that he’d better find out who you are?’ Alexia asked Tracy.
‘Up until recently, well four years ago, my real father was the chief superintendent,’ Tracy said.
The girls looked shocked and then laughed, ‘You don’t have anything to do with him,’ Sarah giggled.
‘I know but I have his surname and it’s documented he’s my father plus he still has a lot to do with the police you know…people in the right places, but he didn’t have to know I don’t speak to him,’ she grinned.
********
After 4 hours of sitting in a cell, James was starting to get frustrated at everything taking so long, then the door opened and the two officers walked in. ‘Well Mr Taylor, looks like the victim doesn’t want to press charges after all. Wonder what changed his mind,’ the officer stared at James knowing full well Sam and Matt had something to do with it but he’d never be able to prove it.
James looked at the officer, ‘May be he realised he was in the wrong after all.’
The officer just glared at James, ‘Well you’re free to go, there’s two men at the front waiting for you.’
‘Thank you officer,’ James said as he walked out to meet Matt and Sam outside. As he walked out they were both sat on the front of the car watching him walk towards them.
‘Hey here he comes,’ Matt shouted, ‘No prison for the big man this time,’ he laughed.
James glared at him, ‘Shut it numb nuts, what the fuck took you so long? Get in the car and let’s get home to our girls and you can explain,’
They got in the car again and Matt was driving. He looked in his rear view mirror at James, ‘Ain’t nothing to tell, it just took us a while to find them.’ James grunted and watched out the window and they drove home.
************
The girls were sat on the sofa talking when Sarah caught sight of the car pulling up out the corner of her eye. ‘They’re back,’ she said as she jumped up, Tracy and Alexia followed her and went to the front door to meet their men, jumping on them as soon as they burst through it.
‘Hey, take it your all pleased to see us,’ Matt said, ‘Looks like we could get laid tonight fellas,’ he grinned at James and Sam until Tracy smacked him.
James pulled his head back to look at Alexia, ‘Hey what’s this for?’ he whispered before kissing her.
‘I was so scared, I didn’t know what to do and……oh James I’m so glad your home,’ she buried her face in his neck and cuddled him tightly.
‘Babe as much I love cuddling you, I can’t breathe,’ James said.
Alexia loosened her grip and got off him.
‘Right we’d getting going,’ Sam said and Matt agreed.
‘Can I trust you to be good until the morning and not get yourself arrested again? If you do your on your own caus
e I’m off to have hot sex with my girl,’ Matt said with a big grin on his face. Tracy smacked him again.
James turned round to look at Tracy, ‘And who are you shagging to get hot sex then?’ he said laughing.
‘Hey, fuck you man, I’ve just got you out of jail,’ Matt joked.
‘Oh stop getting your pants in a twist,’ James said as he walked over to them to shake their hands whilst the girls hugged and said goodbye.
After everyone had gone and a twenty minute lecture from his mother, James finally had got his girl right were he wanted her….in bed….and he had no intention of sleeping.
21
The next day Alexia stood in the kitchen making a picnic so they could go for a walk in the woods. Because she never had much money when living with her mum she would find free things to do with Ben and Amber and one of the things they used to enjoy was to take their water guns and have a water fight “military style” as Ben would call it, in the woods. Ducking and diving behind the trees, chasing each other, hiding behind the trees and jumping out to scare each other. She also packed some string, scissors, tape and glue as Ben and Amber liked to collect sticks and leaves and make things. As Alexia went to load the car she gasped, ‘Oh my god!’
‘What’s up Ale......WHAT THE HELL!!!? ?’ James shouted as he notices what’s alarmed her. Alexia’s car has been vandalised. The tyres were slashed, paint had been thrown over it and ‘Payback is a bitch, I will get what’s mine’ written in paint down the drivers side.
‘Who do you think did this? Not that I need to ask,’ she whispered as she tries to hold back her tears.
‘I have a good idea but will need to view the security tapes, I’ll phone Matt and Sam to come over and help.’
Forever Love (Fghter Club 1) Page 7