by Skye, M.
When they got around the corner, Lexie leaned against the wall looking straight into Meg’s stoic stare. “It’s no secret why I asked to talk to you. I know that Matt and my sister are separated right now, but they have things to iron out before he is back on the market.”
Lexie crossed her arms over her chest and stood up straight. “Just what are you implying?”
“I’m not implying anything. I just want to be clear about the fact that he is still her husband, and if I feel like you are overstepping, I’ll squash you.”
“Wow,” Lexie sighed. “He was just telling me how sweet and open minded you are. I guess he hasn’t seen the ratchet side of you.”
Meg smiled at Jordan and kissed his cheek before glaring over, piercing her with an icy stare. “You haven’t seen ratchet, honey. One thing I can assure you, is that I do what’s necessary to protect my family, including my little sister. What you don’t want is a fight with me, because I can assure you, you’ll lose.”
Lexie smiled and closed her eyes. “I love it.”
“You love what?” Meg growled.
“This. You’re exactly how Gio described you.”
“What?” Meg snapped.
“Sweetheart, I have no interest in Matt. It’s obvious he’s still madly in love with your sister. They have a lot to work out, and I was just telling him he needed to fight for his marriage when you walked in. I have nothing but love and respect for your family, and I would never betray your trust in me. You’re the only one who was nice to me no questions asked. I just wanted to see this crazy intense side Gio warned me about, but I apologize for getting you riled up.”
Meg studied her face for sincerity and after a few moments, began to chuckle. “You’re awful. I was about ready to rip you in half. I get really protective over them, even if they are making stupid mistakes.”
“Your sister will figure this mess out, but that man is still completely taken with her. I only wish my own husband was more like him.”
“You’re married?”
“Yeah, barely. I need to find him to get my divorce. He just up and left a few months ago never to be heard from again. Can you believe it, after ten years of marriage, he just abandons me? Well, I’m shedding my tears over that man, it’s time to move on. I’ve lost hope in my husband, but your sister still has a fighting chance. She rushed through here in such a hurry just before you arrived, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. I think it’s all this separation taking its toll on both of them. Matt has been talking about her nonstop since we met, and it would take a lot more than some measly conversation to draw his attention away.”
“Good to know,” Meg sighed. “I’m sorry to hear about your husband, and about jumping all over you. I don’t usually jump to conclusions so easily.”
“Water under the bridge,” Lexie smiled and patted her shoulder. “Now if you don’t mind, I would like to rejoin the guys before they think we got into a cat fight.”
“Yeah,” Meg sighed. “I need to go find my little sister.”
“You should. Here, let me take Jordan. I just love this little man already.”
Meg smiled and passed him over. “He is easy to fall in love with, my children are adorable when they’re not driving you crazy.”
“I couldn’t imagine either of them driving me crazy. He has been so good for us, and Allison is the sweetest. She really loves her brother.”
“Just like you, I can tell you love Gio like crazy. He is lucky to have you.”
“Your whole family loves him unconditionally. It’s amazing how you could take in a stranger and make him one of your own. I must admit, I’m envious. My family isn’t this open or accepting. They’re actually shut off and cold, that’s why he ran away. When he told us about his lifestyle, my parents freaked out, and I just stood there. Instead of pulling my brother to me and telling him that I love him no matter what, I just stood there. The hurt in his eyes broke my heart, and when I finally gathered myself enough to talk to him, he was gone. I looked for my brother high and low for years, it wasn’t until I saw all the coverage on your mother and brother and sister, that I knew where he was.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you had been looking for him. I really understand how you feel, my sister told me something that I absolutely hated, and I turned my back on her. I was livid, but I still love her. No matter what comes out of my mouth, I’m always going to be there for her. I just want her to come to her senses.”
“She will, sweetie, she will. Too many more instances around that man will make her cave.”
“You think so?”
“I know so,” Lexie smirked. “So let’s get out here. You find her and get her together, and I’ll keep them company until you get back.”
“It’s a plan,” Meg winked and turned. “Which way did she go?”
“That way,” Lexie pointed and smiled. As Meg walked away, Lexi smiled and kissed Jordan on the cheek. “Your mommy is quite a woman. I see why you guys are crazy about her.”
***
“Melia,” Meg called out, poking her head in the restroom. She had been up and down the halls looking for her, and finally decided to try the last restroom. She felt horrible for the way she left her standing alone outside the night before, but she was angry. Melia had been making some terrible decisions lately, but getting an abortion had to be one of the most horrific, especially when Matt was still so in love with her.
Meg swept the stalls as she walked in and found one with the doors slightly open. When she peered inside, she found Melia slumped over the toilet heaving and crying. Meg pulled the door open slowly and ran her hand down her back, startling her. When she saw the concern in Meg’s eyes, she smiled. Meg quickly went over to the sink and wet her some paper towels to clean her up. Melia stood and Meg helped her to a seat on the other side. Melia smiled at Meg through the tears, and Meg smoothed them away.
“I’m sorry,” Melia sobbed. “I was so out of line yesterday. I wanted to keep up this brave front when actually I’m scared. I don’t want to get rid of my baby,” she placed a hand on her stomach. “I’m just afraid of doing this alone. I’ve never done anything alone, I’ve always had someone. Whether it’s you, Gio, and Maddie, or Matt, I’ve never been alone in anything. I don’t know how to be.”
Meg pulled her closer and wrapped her tightly in her strong embrace. “You’re not alone, I’m here for you. You pissed me off, but I would never abandon you. We have always been there and done for you because you needed us the most. You took everything with mom so personally, so maybe it’s my fault about you feeling so dependent. I’ve never let you fall because I love you so much.”
“Well, I’ve definitely fallen now. You’re right, I’m selfish and spoiled, and I drove my husband away with it. Meg, I love him so much, and faced with the chance of losing him, I came to my senses. I want him back. Sleeping in my bed alone, I cry myself to sleep every night. I need him, I know he thinks I don’t, but I can’t be without him. Not because he’s someone to fill a void, but because he is the most amazing man I’ve ever met. He thinks of me before I can think of myself, he takes care of anything I ever need, and loves me through it all.”
“Yes, he does, you have to talk to him. Tell him how you feel.”
“I think it’s a little late. His lawyer called to set up our mediation.”
“On a Sunday? Wow!”
“He wants this over.”
“Well, you have to see to it that it isn’t. You clean yourself up, and go get your husband.”
“If you don’t mind, I would like to do this another day. I feel like hell, and I would like some privacy to do this. It seems like when my head found out I was pregnant, so did the rest of my body. This baby is whipping my ass. I’ve been up every other hour running to the bathroom. That’s how I know this is going to be a stubborn one.”
“They have it honest,” Meg replied and placed her hand on her stomach. “You and Matt are two of the most stubborn people I know, but you’re going to make it,
I can feel it.”
“I don’t know about that, but I’m certainly going to try, but Meg...”
“Yes Lele?”
“I still haven’t found a way to tell Matt about the baby. I don’t want his decision to be clouded by our baby. I just want to know that if we do work out, it’s because we want to. I’ll tell him once we discuss our relationship, I promise, but I need you to keep quiet. I also need you to talk to Emily and Maddie, I know they’re pissed at me, and one of them might slip up.”
“I’ll talk to them, but you need to apologize to papa. He has always been there for us, and you were really disrespectful. What were you thinking, saying all those things about mom? You know there are many things we don’t know about her past, there could be an explanation.”
“But to leave us? I could never leave Cici, I love her too much.”
“Maybe it wasn’t her choice. I resented mom for years, because I spent most of my teenage years looking after you guys, but I wouldn’t trade the closeness I feel to you because of it. I look at the two of you and see two of my greatest accomplishments besides my husband and children, but I didn’t do it alone. Gio was right there along with dad when he was in town, loving you and guiding you into the beautiful women that you are today. Usually, I’m so proud of you, but last night, you really let me down. Papa was heartbroken, and for him to raise his voice means you hurt him deeply.”
“I know I did, and I don’t know what came over me. I think I was just angry at myself and took it out on everyone. I lost a big piece of myself when you guys made me realize that he was really planning on leaving. I know I took him for granted, and now I might not be able to get it back. He thinks I don’t love him, so no matter what I say, he might not come back. I have to be ready to accept that, but I love him so much. I never thought a day would come that he would question that. I might not show it all the time, but he still makes my heart flutter. I don’t want anyone else, and I never will. He is my once in a lifetime.”
“Well, you show him that. Now, he has been looking for a place, how about I call Callie and get her to unexpectedly take them all off the market for a short while? It could buy you some time.”
“You would do that for me?”
“Of course I would. After what you did for me at the restaurant, it would be my extreme pleasure.”
Melia chuckled when she thought about Alex and Meg’s steamy reunion in the restroom of La Bella. “You know sis, I never knew you had it in you to get down and dirty in a public restroom.”
“The right man will have you out of your norm. Alex could have me naked in time square, and I wouldn’t mind.”
“That’s the kind of love I have for Matt. Somewhere along the line I just started to pull back, thinking that a wife and mother should behave a certain way.”
“It’s not behaving like a whore, it’s just about showing your husband, and only your husband, that you still have passion and fire for him. They need to be stunned, not all the time, but sometimes you have to cross the line. You know what they say, a lady in public and a freak in the bedroom.”
“Sweetie, you’re a freak everywhere when you and Alex are alone,” she giggled.
“Hey,” she slapped at her. “We lock the doors wherever we are. I just know when and where to whip it on him. I don’t hesitate, it could lead to missed blessings, and trust me, every time I’m with my husband it’s a blessing. You better start seizing opportunities with your man.”
“I never knew my big sister was such a nymph,” she laughed.
“That’s funny,” Meg laughed. “I just called him that this morning.”
“Well add your name to the list, because you’re right up there with him, but it’s great that you feel that free and open with him.”
“I always have. He brings it out in me.”
“Meg, could we rest for a little bit before facing the guys?”
“Yeah, just sit back and close your eyes, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you,” she sighed.
“You’re welcome. We can stay as long as you need to.”
***
“So, what was that?” Alex asked as he settled in next to Matt.
“It was nothing, I swear. We were just talking about the family and everything that’s going on. Lexie is just a good listener. You know how I feel about my wife, I mean Melia.”
“Matt, you might be on the outs, but she is still very much your wife. You’re not over her any more than she is over you.”
“I love the girl, I always will, but that isn’t all we need. We’ve been over this, she has to want us as badly as I do for it to work. I can’t carry our entire relationship on my back. I need her in it with me.”
“Man, sometimes you have to carry your relationship until your mate can do better. There have been times where I felt like I was in my relationship alone, and I was, but I never gave up. Now, my wife and I are closer than ever with these two beautiful children to show for it. When Meg left me, I went lower than I ever thought possible, and when she came back, I vowed to never lose her again. I would do anything if it meant keeping her.”
“I fight for Melia, I fight for us, but is it worth it when you don’t feel like they love you the way you deserve to be loved?”
“She loves you, otherwise she wouldn’t have stayed with you this long. It’s been almost ten years, and you’re the only man she has been with, she has to love you.”
“Maybe, or maybe she just tolerates me because it’s convenient.”
“There is no way that’s possible.”
“Maybe, but things just aren’t what they should be.”
“Well, change it, a divorce would be the worst mistake you could ever make. She is an amazing woman and you know you’ll never find anyone like her again.”
“I’m sure I won’t, she is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. That woman drives me insane, in a good and bad way. I love her more than words could express, and I have since we were fifteen. Did I ever say you thank you for introducing us? God, as soon as I saw her, every other woman in the world disappeared. Maybe that’s why I’m going through this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Julia, I slept with her, took her virginity and as soon as Melia appeared in my life, I ditched her. I knew from the start that she wasn’t who I wanted, but the way I did it was heartless. Maybe this is my payback, I guess this is how that must have felt. Now I really regret the way I handled things. No one should ever have to feel this hopeless.”
“Man, you have to stop beating yourself up about that girl. Dad hasn’t been right about much over the years, but he was right about her. She was a schemer, she had her eyes set on you only because she knew you were going to be something. I’ve looked into her, and over the years, she has had one goal, to get you in her clutches. That’s why I never regretted my decision to push you and Melia together. Things might be rough right now, but I have just as much faith in the two of you as I have in me and Meg.”
“That means a lot coming from you.”
In mid conversation, Alex looked up to see Aiden and Emily rounding the corner, looking like they were walking on a cloud. Alex leaned back, and Matt chuckled at the sight, their big brother was completely and deeply lost in the sensation of love. Alex stood to receive them, and Emily scanned the room for Meg and spotted Lexie in the corner with the children. Alex’s eyes zoned in on Emily’s hand and his eyes got big.
“What is this? Are you two... are you engaged?”
“We wanted to tell you all together,” Emily sighed. “But yes, this handsome man and I are getting married!”
“Congratulations!” Alex yelled and shook Aiden’s hand. “And you, get over here and hug me sis!”
Matt was stunned beyond belief and pulled Aiden into a rough embrace. “I’m so happy for you, you will be really happy.”
Aiden looked at him and patted his shoulder. “And so will you, if I can get engaged, then you can get your wife back. You just have to want it.”
Matt sighed and looked to Emily. “I don’t want to talk about my problems, I just want to focus on your great news. You are making a huge step, and I think it’s awesome. Emily really is a great girl, you hold on to her.”
“I’m going to, I’m never letting her go.”
“Good, I’ll hold you to that, and you little lady, welcome to the family. I’m glad he is finally making this official. You are going to be a great addition.”
“I can’t wait! I’m so excited.” Emily shrieked.
“Excited about what?” Meg asked as she and Melia walked around the corner.
“Baby,” Alex pulled her closer. “Your best friend and my brother have news for you.”
“Well... don’t keep me in suspense... what is it?”
“We’re getting married!” Emily yelled and flashed her ring.
“Oh my god! This is crazy! When did this happen?”
“Last night, we got home, and I couldn’t hold back any longer,” Aiden supplied.
“I’m so happy for you!” Meg gushed.
“Yeah,” Melia sighed. “You guys will be really happy.”
The room was silent for a while as they all studied the hurt look on both Melia and Matt’s faces. Aiden cursed himself for being so insensitive, and Emily felt awful. They were so happy, when their friends were going through so much. Just as Matt walked over to reach for Melia, she ran off feeling sick. Matt thought she was just upset, but Emily and Meg knew the real truth, they raced after her while the guys and Lexie watched quietly.
“I’m sorry, Matt,” Aiden said quietly. “I wasn’t thinking. I swear I meant no harm.”
“It’s okay, you can’t put your life on hold just for me. My problems shouldn’t interfere with your happiness. I won’t let them.”
“Thank you, and if you need my help in any way, you just let me know. I’ll do anything to get your family back for you.”
“Thank you, but I think it’s time to let that dream go.”