Alveus (ABC's Inc. Romance #1) (23 page)

“How
much longer do you think they’ll be?”

Lexi
was nervously pacing the formal living room. She’d started out helping Edith in
the kitchen, until the motherly housekeeper’s patience had run out and she was
kindly persuaded to leave. Then the petite red-head took up residence in the
hallway outside the office door where the senior ABC’s were convened. Frustrated
by the discovery that she could not recognize a single word from the muffled
sounds coming through the solid door, she’d finally ended up in the living
room. Dane patiently kept record of her restless actions, aware that an
intervention on his part would likely be futile.

“The
rest of them will be here, soon,” she fretted.
“What
could they possibly be talking about for so long?” She moved back into the
dining room, straightening the already faultless place settings on the table.
As she turned toward the kitchen, Dane moved to block her way.
That’s it!
He couldn’t take her fidgeting anymore. It seemed it was time to take drastic
action.

“Come
on,” he commanded, steering her out of the dining room and turning toward the
stairs. He knew just the thing to divert Pips’ thoughts away from the meeting
of the minds, downstairs.

“What
are you doing? The twins will be coming soon,” she fretted.

“I’m
sure Fani can keep her siblings occupied for a short time,” Dane assured, as
the youngest Carsten skipped down the stairs, meeting them halfway. “Isn’t that
right, Fani?” He navigated clear of the little dog in her arms. Even though he
seemed to have met the canine’s approval in the last couple of days, he still
didn’t trust the mutt.

“Of
course,” she cheerfully assented. “So, the seniors aren’t out of their meeting
yet? I’ll bet they’re just schmoozing in there, keeping us waiting until dinner
is served.” Her foot slid on the carpeted stair and she stumbled down a couple
of steps before regaining her footing. “We’re okay,” she announced. “Aren’t we,
baby?” Louis took the trip in stride, obviously used to his mistress’s mishaps,
and accepted her apologetic kiss with a quick lick to her cheek.

Lexi
giggled quietly at her friend’s ineptitude. “How she ever managed to get
through a fashion show without stumbling on the runway, I’ll never know,” she
whispered. Dane chuckled in agreement.

With
a gentle pressure to her back, he guided her into the bedroom and firmly closed
the door behind them. Taking a step forward, he pulled her into a fervent kiss,
revealing his diversion tactics.

“Dane,
this is hardly the time…”

“It’s
never a bad time,” he insisted, his lips making a trail down her neck. “You
look so beautiful. That dress hugs you in just the right places.” Dane
clarified his statement by sliding his hands down to caress the curve of her
buttocks. He could never get enough of her, and knew he never would.

“But…”
Lexi’s words were cut short as she swooned in his arms. “It would be
inappropriate… to keep our guests waiting… while I re-do my face and adjust the
wrinkles from my gown.” Her actions made the words come across empty – or
should it be said, her reactions. He slid his hand under the garment in
question and slowly explored her leg, enjoying the smooth glide northward
toward her thigh. She shivered and her hand began its own investigation of his
chest, through the cover of his dress shirt.

“Not
to worry,” he confidently assured her, “I’ve had plenty of experience in
keeping women in pristine condition. No one will ever know.” Lexi stiffened.

“You
realize of course that I’m not exactly comforted by your declaration?”

Shit!
That came out all wrong!
Idiot!

“I
only meant…” He searched for words. How in the hell was he supposed to come out
on the good side of this one? “I only wanted to take your mind off of…” Nope,
that wasn’t going to work either – damn!

And
she wasn’t helping him – arms crossed, head tilted to the side. She stared at
him, patiently waiting for an explanation. Dane felt himself starting to break
out in a cold sweat, when he heard a noise. Voices rose from downstairs,
announcing that their guests were arriving. Thank God!
I owe you one, sir
,
he told the deity. Grabbing Lexi’s hand, he kissed her before pulling her
toward the door.

“See,
everything worked out perfect. Didn’t I tell you?” he said. Her eyes sparkled
with amusement –
the little minx
, she’d been enjoying his uncomfortable dilemma!

Fani
met them at the top of the stairs.

“Papa
sent me to fetch Pip.” She cast sympathetic eyes on her friend. “The seniors
want to speak with you in private.”

»ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

Stefani
and Dane escorted Lexi down the stairs where Greig, Stefan, and Gretchen
soberly greeted her from inside the entrance to the living room. She turned to
make her way down the hallway to the office, pulling strength from their show
of moral support. Her trek down the pale green carpet to the formidably closed
door seemed endless –
the green mile
, she thought ironically.

Lexi
halted and faced the door to her office. It was after all,
her
office.
Why should she be apprehensive? Because suddenly she was a little girl again,
standing in front of her father’s sanctum awaiting judgment for the infraction
of acceptable behavior. Yes, that’s how her parents used to phrase it –
acceptable behavior. And yes, she used to test that concept on occasion, so she
knew what it felt like to await final sentencing. She lifted her hand and
knocked on the door.

“Come
in.”

Lexi
threw an anxious glance up the hall to her friends, beseeching their swift
intervention should it be deemed that a tolerable amount of time had passed.
She then opened the door and stepped through.

Counselor
Ed Bravanger sat behind her father’s desk, clearly having taken charge of the
meeting. Oma and Lee Carsten were comfortably ensconced in plush chairs
positioned along the left side of the desk, leaving an empty seat across from
them.

“Alexiah,
please have a seat. I’m sure you know why we’ve asked you to join us.” Her parent’s
friend and attorney motioned to the empty chair as he spoke. As if there could
be a doubt, each of them held familiar looking sheets of paper in their hands.

“Yes,
my father’s private letters to you all,” Lexi confirmed with a nod. She hoped
her use of the word “private” would give her elders the impression that she had
valued the confidentiality of her father’s last words to them. “I know he has
asked you to look out for me, and even though I appreciate it, I’m doing fine –
honestly.” Although her hands remained nervously clasped in her lap, she met
each one’s eye in a show of confidence. And, in turn, found their benevolent
love reflected back at her. Lexi felt a punch to her gut, as tears gathered in
her eyes. These warm, wonderful people were her family and they were making
that clear to her without saying a word.

“You
are right in the fact that he did express his concern for you,” Lee established,
“but your father worried about your being left alone with no family to turn to
for comfort. Sweetheart, Al had nothing but praise for your keen business
abilities. He was very proud of you – and so are we.”

“
Ein bisschen,” Oma added, “Alex did not have to convince us
to be here for you, and he knew that. He wished in his letters to convey his
regrets for the separation from his dearest friends.” Tears slid down her face.
“We have been given this day to grieve over the loss of our brother, each with
our own regrets.”

Lexi rushed to her, kneeling down in front of the
chair with her head in the elderly woman’s lap. Her own tears joined Oma’s.

“Al reminded us how stubborn you always were,”
Bravanger continued, after he cleared his throat of emotion. “He predicted that
the years of separation would prevent you from turning to us for guidance.
Lexi, no one – including each of us – can go it alone, in business or as life
support.” He looked at his friends. “These two are my life-line, and your
friends out there are yours.” He waved his hand toward the door. “Your father
had deep regrets for cutting off our support, and he couldn’t bear thinking that
you would make the same mistake!” Uncle Ed’s voice always carried a heavy
baritone, and in his serious efforts to make his point, it grew deeper and
succinct. The makings of an excellent barrister, Lexi concluded.

“He was right about one thing. I remember that you
were the most stubborn of all of our children,” laughed Lee, obviously trying
to inflict some humor into the situation. Lexi took the trip back to the past
with Uncle Lee, who had always seemed jolly. The man was a natural to father
the rambunctious
Bobbsey
twins. “You were set on learning to tie your
own shoes, and adamantly refused any help!” He looked to Oma. “Her little
tongue stuck out of the side of her mouth, as she concentrated… remember?”

Oma chuckled. “I remember how many times the laces
came loose to where she’d trip on them, before she finally got it right. The ein
bisschen walked around with scraped knees for weeks!” Lexi’s face heated in
embarrassment.

“But she did it, and all on her own,” Carsten
stated. Sobering up a bit, he said, “Sweet girl, we just want you to know that
you’re one of ours – you have our love and we are very proud of you.”
Embarrassment disappeared, and warmth settled in her heart.

“And thrilled that you are back in our lives,”
chimed Oma.

“We hope that you will feel comfortable coming to us
for anything – and we mean anything at all,” Ed Bravanger added. Standing up,
he announced that it was time to join the others. “We would like to have a
short conference with the whole group, before we sit down to eat,” he stated.

Stepping out into the hall, they could hear cheerful
laughter pouring from the living room. Hmmm, so much for having her back, still
Lexi couldn’t help but smile. It was great to have the old gang together again,
although she was surprised to see Reggie and Gareth among those present.

In
an instant, Dane was by her side, handing her a glass of cabernet. Lexi thanked
him, noting that Greig was manning the portable drink bar, refreshing
everyone’s drinks as they geared up and settled in for the anticipated lecture.
Ed Bravanger stood and held his drink out in a toast.

“Indeed
it is a pleasure to have this group assembled together in this place, once
again. I am sure that each one of us carries fond memories of past gatherings –
it has been a long time.”

“Too
long,” Fani loudly edified, followed by a few chuckles and murmurs of
agreement.

“Yes,
dear,” Ed assented, “and let us hope to rectify that from now on. I’d like to
welcome two new faces into our midst,” he pointed his raised glass at his son.
“You all know my son, Gareth, and Reginald Mangus.” The glass swung to Reggie.
“Mr. Mangus earned himself the trust and affection of Alex, as he gave his
unfailing support both to him and the company, through extremely trying times.
For that, I also am grateful.” He hurried on to say, “But, before we salute our
two new members, I wish to pay homage to those missing from our company today.
Their absence is painfully and blaringly obvious.” He raised his glass once
again, saluting first Oma, then Lee, and finally Lexi. “To Henry, Dru, Alicia,
and Alex – may your presence forever be with us, when we are gathered
together.”

“Here,
here!”

When
the toasts were over, Lee Carsten stood and motioned for attention. Lexi
watched him survey the room and split a huge grin. He looked over to his dear
friends.

“You
sure you want to do this?” he joked. “You know how these brats get when they
plot together.” The other two senior members laughed.

“I
take offense to that remark,” Gretchen huffed. Fani and Lexi shared a look and
snickered.

“Shoes…?”
Fani whispered. Lexi nodded agreement, remembering Gretchen’s idea to string
the boy’s shoes up in the largest tree in the backyard. Of course, how was she
to know that one of the most severe thunder storms of the season would fly in
shortly thereafter? The shoes became tangled in the tree – that is, except for
the ones that got away!

“Stef
never did find his favorite flip-flops,” Lexi chortled! Her statement set all
the miscreants to laughing.

“Served
them right,” Gretchen’s voice strained to sound indignant, as the hilarity
threatened to break through. “They ruined my very expensive ruby slippers –
made just like the ones in the Wizard of Oz!”

“Hey,
those flip-flops were
Power Rangers
,” Stephan argued. “They’d probably
be worth a lot of money today!”

“Not
the way you tore things up,” Gretchen snorted back. “They probably wouldn’t
have lasted through the summer!”

The
room filled with laughter and explanations – everyone taking sides and throwing
in their views. Even Gareth and Reggie dove into the melee, tossing in their
two cents worth. It was all in good fun, though, and laughter took precedence.
A loud clapping brought Lexi’s attention back to Uncle Lee, who was seeking to
regain control over the room.