Touched by a Phoenix (16 page)

“Mo-Mother, your hands are shaking, are you sure you are okay?”

“Yes, Alexis. I’m fine. Something startled me and I dropped the plate.”

“Why don’t you sit for a minute while I clean this up,” Alexis suggested as she smiled fondly at Catherine.

“Thank you, dear,” Catherine managed to say.

Alexis had always called her either Catherine or mother, never mom. ‘Mom’ was reserved for Ellen; it never offended her because she knew how much Alexis had loved her mother. Her heart had broken when she and Phillip told Alexis her parents died in the accident. Alexis’s full body cast had prevented her and Phillip from comforting her while she cried. The following year had been grueling for them all. It took four months for the multiple spinal fractures to heal, and a year of therapy before the child could walk again. Despite the heartache and loss, Alexis had been strong through the entire ordeal. She was a resilient child who had grown into a determined young lady. Alexis had learned so many of life’s lessons the hard way, learned to shut people out, never allowing anyone to get close to her. She had never needed anyone for anything.

Catherine watched Alexis clean up the shattered platter with care. First picking up the large pieces and sweeping the smaller pieces into a pile before vacuuming. Then back over the entire area again with a wet mop, ensuring she had gotten every single piece. Alexis was focused…driven. A gentle smiled tugged at Catherine’s lips. Yes indeed, something was very different about Alexis, Catherine thought as she watched Alexis finished her task.

Alexis took a seat in the chair opposite from Catherine and took her hand. “Mother, are you sure you are okay?”

“Yes dear, I am fine. Everything is almost ready but if you would take the steaks out to your father, I would appreciate it.”

“You sit, I’ll finish dinner,” Alexis finished tenderly as she exited the kitchen.

Alexis found Phillip by the patio keeping close watch on the charcoal; the flames had died down, leaving hot burning coals. “Father,” she greeted warmly as she leaned over to kiss his cheek.

“Alexis, where on earth have you been?”

“Sorry, I stopped by the kitchen first and stayed to help Mo…Catherine with dinner,” she replied sweetly.

“How’d the trip go?”

“Great! It’s a done deal,” she smiled at her father. “I’m going to help Catherine, but we can talk over dinner, okay?”

“Sure honey,” as he placed a loving kiss on her forehead. Alexis shuddered involuntarily. Brad kissed her like that.

“Alexis, are you all right?”

“Yes Father, I am fine.”

Twenty-five minutes later, dinner was ready.

“So, what did you think of the boy wonders?” Phillip asked.

Alexis laughed, “Which one?”

“Stephen, Nathan, and Zachary. Who did you think I was talking about?”

“Uh, no one,” she stuttered.

“They’re a strange bunch, but if you set aside their brilliance, they are a good group of guys.”

“Did everything go smoothly?”

“Yes, it did. Father, I do have a question. Brad mentioned he had a stake in the success of the project but he wouldn’t tell me what.”

“Alexis, that is between Brad and me,” Philip stated firmly.

“Father, I have as much invested in this company as you do. Now, tell me,” she pressed a bit more harshly than intended.

Phillip was quiet, as if considering the consequences of not telling her. He decided keeping the information from her short-term would be better but long-term—well, that might not be the best idea. She would find out eventually and then there would be hell to pay.

“Alexis, when Brad approached me about redeveloping the surveillance system, he suggested we buy a couple of software and hardware related companies to support the initiative. As you know, buying the three companies was not a problem. However, Bio-Space wanted huge sign-on bonuses. It was more than we had available in cash, so Brad put up the money to cover their bonuses.”

“Father…,” she cut in, in an oddly hushed yet excitable voice, “that’s fifteen million dollars!”

“Yes dear, it is.”

“And exactly how, no—
when
do you plan to repay Brad?”

“We agreed that we would repay the funds over a period of five years out of the profits earned from the improved drone capabilities.”

“And when did you plan to tell me this?”

The tone in Alexis’s voice bordered on anger for withholding such vital information from her. Catherine thought she had better change the subject before Alexis could pursue the conversation any further; it would only lead to an explosive argument between father and daughter. They were two headstrong individuals and Alexis would not take kindly to Phillip excluding her from such a critical decision beforehand.

“Alexis my dear, did you have any time to enjoy San Diego on this trip?” Catherine interjected gracefully.

“Yes, Brad took me on a tour of San Diego,” Alexis responded, grateful for the distraction.
How could Phillip take Brad up on his offer without discussing it with me first? No wonder Brad didn’t want to tell
me.

“Oh, where did he take you?” Phillip asked in his most compelling military tone, the tone he used to intimidate almost everyone, save for her.

“We drove up the coast and stopped for dinner at some little seafood place,” she replied, hoping that her voice sounded calmer than she felt. Alexis could feel her face beginning to flush as she thought about their dinner conversation—sperm donation and masturbation! Lord, what a conversation. Alexis ducked her head, hoping to prevent Phillip or Catherine from seeing the ear-to-ear grin at the vision of Brad nearly choking on his wine before sputtering it across the pier. The grin faded fast.
OMG, what have I done? Does he…would he think that I slept with him as a ploy to make a baby?
I have to talk to him. She glanced down at her watch—4:11 PM. How can I leave without causing suspicion?

“Mother, I know it’s early, but I should be going. I still have several hours of work to do before tomorrow.”

Catherine sensed the sudden change in Alexis’s mood, as she nodded, “Of course, my dear. You go and finish your work, we’ll chat sometime this week.”

“That would be wonderful, Mother. Perhaps we can get together for lunch on Wednesday. We can go over the final details for the anniversary party and pick up our dresses.”

“That sounds lovely, dear. Have a wonderful evening,” Catherine smiled, giving Alexis a hug.

“Good night, Father,” Alexis said as she leaned down to kiss his cheek.

“Good night my dear, see you tomorrow.”

Alexis could not reach the car fast enough. Once inside, she sat taking deep breaths as she thought it over. What would she say to Brad? Her hands shook as she dialed the phone; the Bluetooth kicked in, putting the call on speaker.

“Hi there,” she tried to sound calm.

“Hi yourself,” he returned in a sugar sweet tone.

“How was your afternoon?” she asked.

“It was lovely. I decided to take Nan out for an early dinner while I waited for you. How was the visit with your parents?”

“Okay, I guess. Too many questions,” she sounded frustrated.

“Darling, are you okay?”

“I’m good. Do you still want to stop by for a while?”

“Yes,” he replied all too quickly.

“Then why don’t you bring your swim trunks and we’ll relax by the pool?” her tone cooler than she had planned.

“Sure. Alexis, are you sure you are okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she snipped.

“Okay, I need to take Nan home. Give me about an hour?”

“See you then.”

Alexis opened the door, hard-pressed to stop the flutter of butterflies in her stomach. Why did Brad have such power over her? When did things change and how had they changed? Too many questions and not enough answers. Her mind raced. How would she approach him about this baby issue?

Brad stepped inside and wrapped his warm, loving arms around her, dipping his head to seek her lips. Obliging, she lifted her face to meet his, giving into his kiss. The flutters turned to shivers at the first taste of his warm lips on hers. God, he was magnificent! She melded in his arms and forgot all about needing to talk to him.

Long moments of sweet kisses filled her with more than she thought possible. Alexis knew Brad held nothing back…he gave of himself with every kiss. She had to talk to him, but what was she going to say, how would she ever convince him that she wasn’t using him to produce a baby?

As she broke away, she asked, “Why don’t you change and meet me by the pool?”

Brad’s eyes widened as if she had slapped him. “What?”

What the hell was going on? What had happened in the last six hours for her to send him to the spare bedroom to change? Damn, Phillip must have told her about their agreement.

“Alexandria,” he pressed firmly, “what’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“Alexandria, talk to me…now. Is this about the signing-bonuses? Did Phillip tell you, because I can explain?” His tone was rigid as he pulled her towards him.

“Brad, I don’t know what made me think about it but I don’t want you to think I’m sleeping with you to have a baby,” she blurted out. Her words were in a hurried sequence, barely making sense.

Brad released a huge chuckle, “Is that all?”

“Yes,” all too harshly.

“My darling Alexis, we’ve already made love multiple times this weekend and the thought has never once crossed my mind.” He tenderly pulled her closer. “Please look at me. I did tell you there was a better way though, now didn’t I?”

Alexis glanced up at Brad, remorse obvious in her sweet face.

“Alexis, if you were to tell me right now that you never wanted to make love to me again, I would still give you the child you want—if that’s what would make you happy.”

Silence filled the air. Emotion overwhelmed her. Tears fill her eyes as she realized Brad wanted more. How much more, and could she give him what he wanted?

“Alexandria….” His mind was numb with fear. He had seen his forever…his eternity in her eyes, “Do you want me to leave?”

Her mind reeled; this was it. If she told him to leave, it would be over forever but asking him to stay was the biggest risk of her life. She stared into his eyes, seeking answers; he did not try to hide the depth of emotion from her. She saw eternity, a life filled with love and hope. This was the man she had been waiting for.