This Too Shall Pass (21 page)

People filled the streets, cognizant of the holiday quickly approaching. Everywhere she went the Black Friday shopping was crazy, shoppers enjoying the chaotic, November shopping. The next store was a children’s boutique with the cutest clothes ever. She bought Taylor a ball-cap, and Boy Scout pajamas that looked just like his little blue uniform, only softer. Next were the most adorable Christmas dresses she’d ever seen. Even with the price tag, Alexis couldn’t pass them up. The hangers squealed across the bar while she decided on the matching dresses, and then changed her mind—again. She wanted them all. They were gorgeous. The kick in her stomach caused her to think about the next Christmas. Alexis would have three kids to buy for. The thought brought a smile to her face for the first time and she turned to the little suits. She had a fifty, fifty chance of having a boy.

She held the four little dresses in her hand, still undecided while she looked at the little boy’s clothing. If she was due in February he would be ten months the following year. Twelve months should do it. That was the first outfit she’d bought for the little guy. If it was a little guy. If not, she wouldn’t have to buy anything. Kinley grew faster than she could wear most of her clothes. Baby number three would have an entire wardrobe to come home to. Unable to beat the impulse, Alexis bought the little black tuxedo with the matching crush, velvet cummerbund and tie. Riki and Kinley ended up with corresponding red satin dresses and black shoes. Not just any shoes. Tap shoes with the metal plates fastened to the bottoms. That one was probably going to bite her in the ass. She didn’t care. The thought of the noisy little shoes, dancing on the hardwood floors brought an instant smile to her face.

The plan to stay out the entire day came to a halt around four in the evening. Alexis was exhausted, having enough of the walking. Her cell phone GPS told her that she was two miles from her hotel. No way. She wasn’t walking back, not with an armful of bags. She fumbled with the bags, trying to get two fingers to her mouth, and whistled, hailing a cab to take her back.

The barely English, speaking driver tried to have a conversation with her, but she wasn’t interested. The way he smiled at her through the mirror gave her the creeps and she mostly ignored him, choosing to stare out at the busy streets instead. Her plans to eat at the pizza place Cory had taken her to the first time she was there was deleted as well. She was too tired for that. Maybe she would order in and watch a movie. That actually sounded like an awesome plan and she was looking forward to the evening alone. A soak in the elegant tub, a comedy, and catered meal. Perfect ending to a busy shopping day. Alexis thought about Cory and the girls next, wondering what they were doing and what time they would be back.

The same attendant that had escorted her out, took her bags and escorted her back to her room. She tipped him with a ten, not a twenty. Cory and the girls had been there and gone again. She could tell by the clothes left on the coffee table. With an audible sigh, she picked up the shirt and looked at the chocolate stain, knowing exactly what happened. Kinley got a hold of a cup without a lid. Dammit, she just bought that shirt. Once the little shirt was soaking in a sink with cold water, Alexis unpacked her shopping bags. She hung the little dresses along with the baby tux on a hook and packed away the things she didn’t want the girls to see until Christmas. The hot tub filled with rose scented bubbles was felt on every sore muscle. Muscles she hadn’t realized were even sore.

Once the water started to cool and her skin began to wrinkle, Alexis pulled herself out of the deep tub with a grunt. Baths were getting close to being replaced with showers. It was too hard to get up and down with the extra weight and the bulging stomach. Wrapped with a fluffy white towel around her waist and one around her head, Alexis walked into her master suite and to the wall of glass. The Chicago River situated between the city structures made her wish she had someone to share it with. Nonetheless, she was determined to continue on with her night, a movie and dinner in.

Happy and content, snuggled on the plump sofa with warm pajamas, the city behind the glass wall, a movie ready to start, and seafood on the way, Alexis settled in for the night. Twenty minutes into the risqué movie, she met room service at the door with growling tummy. About time.

“Ellen?” Alexis questioned with her eyebrows pointed to the bridge of her nose. Kinley dove toward her and she caught her midair.

“My dad’s going to stay at the party,” Riki informed her matter of factly, moving around her. Alexis moved ahead of her to get rid of the movie smut paused on the television. Kinley squirmed to run toward the glass wall with Riki and Alexis turned back to Ellen.

“Come in. How have you been?”

“I’m doing okay. How are you?” Ellen countered with both hands going to the ginormous belly.

“Ugh, fat and miserable. Oh, and hungry. I ordered food thirty minutes ago.”

“Yeah, this place is busy kissing Baker ass,” Ellen teased with a grin. “The girls ate, but not a lot.”

Alexis moved them toward the living area where her swollen ankles could sit and relax. “Where is Cory?”

“He’s still down at the rehearsal dinner. The girls got tired of sitting there like logs. I offered to bring them up. I tried to call.”

“You did?” Alexis questioned while she reached for her dead cell phone. “That explains it,” she explained. She dropped it back to the stand, deciding it could wait until Ellen left, besides, she was going to have to go snooping in Cory’s room for a charger. She knew she didn’t pack that.

“I can’t stay. I have to get back down there to cater to the Baker’s some more,” Ellen teased. Sort of. Alexis knew there was more truth than joking behind the snide statement. Poor Ellen.

“Sucks to be you,” Alexis teased back.

“I’ll send you photos of the girls tomorrow once they’re finished with the stylist.”

“Stylist?”

“Oh yes, this is a Baker wedding. They’re Baker girls. I bet their dresses alone cost a grand.”

“But, I brought them dresses for the wedding,” Alexis explained with a thumb pointing toward her suite.

“Wait, you do know they’re both in the wedding, right?”

“Um, no. Cory never told me that. Kinley is one. She will never cooperate.”

“Cory is walking down the aisle with them. I promise to send you lots of pictures.”

“Okay, thank you.” Alexis walked Ellen to the door, opening it to her food, feeling sad that she was going to miss it. Cory could have at least offered to let her come and watch.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Riki,” Ellen called. Riki ran back to give her a big hug with Kinley close behind. Alexis tipped the young lady with a ten, smelling the aroma of food.

“Did you have fun today?” Alexis asked Riki as she pulled Kinley up to the sofa, eager to see what her mom had to eat. Alexis handed her a french-fry and bite of fish.

“Yeah, but not here. I didn’t like it downstairs. I want some.”

“You can have some. Why didn’t you like it?” Alexis questioned while she moved the plate toward Riki and handed Kinley another fry.

“We had to sit there for a hundred minutes. Can we go swimming? There’s a pool downstairs. I saw it.”

“We didn’t bring suits and it’s getting late. Let’s eat and then I will give you a surprise.”

“What is it?” Riki wanted to know, plopping a jumbo shrimp into her mouth. It was a good thing the plate was big enough to feed three people. Three people were going to eat it.

“I’ll tell you after we eat. What do you want to watch? We can search any movie we want.”

“The Good Dinosaur.”

“That’s not out yet. We’ll go see that one at the theater when we get home. Pick something else. No, Kinley. You don’t like grapes.” Alexis scolded when Kinley reached for the grapes. Kinley arched her back and threw herself back to the sofa with a screech. Alexis bit one in half and gave it to her, instantly stopping the tantrum. She spit it right back out, right to Alexis’s hand.

Alexis and both girls ate from the platter, watching Tinker Bell and eating delicious seafood. Kinley mostly nibbled and ran around the condo, still fascinated with the glass wall and the twinkling city lights. Riki didn’t forget the surprise and reminded Alexis right away.

“What’s my surprise?”

“Come on, I’ll show you.” Kinley followed with a run. “You can’t wear the dress yet, not until Christmas, but look at these.”

“Shoes?” Riki questioned with a frown. Shoes? She was supposed to be excited about shoes.

“Not just any shoes. Look.”

Riki took the shoes and turned them over. “Why do they look like this?”

“They’re tap shoes. You dance them and they make a clicking noise.”

“Oh,” Riki said, still not getting it. Alexis laughed when Kinley plopped her butt to the floor and held up her foot. She wanted new shoes, too. Alexis slid them on her feet, fastening the buckle. And a star was born. Kinley was in love with the noisy shoes. Her little head watched her feet while the shoes clacked against the marble floors. Of course Riki was more interested now, hearing the clicking. Alexis helped her buckle hers as well.

“I can wear these at the barn?” she asked with a smile and happy, dancing feet.

“Yes, maybe we should get Emily a pair for Christmas.”

“We should. We’ll fight.”

Alexis knew that wasn’t far from the truth. She could already hear the bickering about it being her turn and made the mental note to return for another pair while Cory and the girls were at the stupid wedding. What else was she going to do? It wasn’t like she could walk right in and have a seat. There would be someone at the door asking for names. She was sure of that as much as she was sure her name wouldn’t be on it.

Ten

Alexis fell asleep in the floating bed with both girls, swaying lightly while she read a new book she’d bought for a Christmas present. Kinley found it. She woke to the sound of Cory walking into something around midnight, an end table maybe. After moving Kinley to the crib, she wandered out to yell at Cory.

“Shhh, what are you doing?”

“Sorry, are they asleep? Is there any food here?”

“No, they always stay up past midnight. There’s one piece of fish left from my supper. You can have it, but be quiet. You can sleep in my bed. You’re not going in there with the girls drunk,” Alexis ordered from across the room. Cory hit a barstool, trying to make to the kitchen.

“Shh,” he whispered himself, placing one finger over his lips.

Alexis shook her head and walked to the kitchen. “Sit down. I’ll get it. What the hell were you drinking?”

Cory took her up on the offer and slid to the stool. “I don’t know. I met a few friends from the hospital after the reception.”

“Oh yeah. Was one of them Camille?”

“No, one of them wasn’t Camille. How were the girls? I wasn’t planning on sticking you with them. Really, I wasn’t.”

“I never feel like you’re sticking me with them. I would much rather spend my evening with them than alone. I have some easy macs. Do you want one of those too?”

“No just the fish. You’re a good mom, Lex.”

“You’re drunk.”

“But you are. I’m glad they have you.”

Alexis ignored him, heated the fish along with three pieces of shrimp and one french-fry. “Why didn’t you tell me you and the girls were in the wedding?”

“Because we don’t really talk about that kind of stuff anymore. Why didn’t you tell me that Riki was in a church play? I would have loved to have seen that.”

Hmm. Good defense. Alexis shrugged her shoulders and leaned her elbows on the bar in front of him. “I guess that’s just where we are.”

“I hate missing stuff.”

“Yeah, me too,” Alexis admitted in sarcastic tone. He did it. He was the one that left, not her.

“Why aren’t you with Mitch?”

“I don’t want to be with Mitch.”

“Have you seen him?”

“No, I mean, I see him around. He’s coaching the football team now.” Of course she saw him. Brady County wasn’t big enough not to see him.

“But you don’t see him? Like when I have the girls.”

“No, and you’re an idiot.”

“What else am I supposed to think?”

“Not a thing, Cory. That’s exactly what I expect you to think.”

“You’re still wearing my ring. There’s a reason for that.”

She didn’t look at the ring, but her fingers moved around it. “Yeah, I’m a weak moron.”

“What does he have to say about the baby?”

Alexis came to an upright, annoyed position. “I’m going to bed. You can sleep in my bed.”

“Wait. Don’t leave. I miss you, Lex.”

“You’re drunk. Go to bed and sleep it off.”

“I’m not drunk. I know exactly what I’m saying. I miss us.”

“Please don’t do this, Cory. You’re just going to wake up and be an ass to me in the morning.”

Cory plopped the last bite of fish in his mouth, chasing it with water. He came to his feet and moved around the bar. “I don’t mean to be an ass. I can’t help it. I hate where we are.”

One flat hand to his chest kept him from crushing his body with hers. “Stop, we’re not doing this. I’m not as easy as you think I am and I sure as hell am not falling for that again.”

“Did you use that thing?”

Alexis snorted, knowing exactly what he was talking about, but asked anyway. “Use what?”

“You know. That toy.”

“Of course I used it.”

“Today?”

“Yes.” Alexis admitted the truth, using the information to toy with him while treading on thin ice. She held his gaze with narrowed eyes and flirted with disaster.

“I want to watch.”

“You can’t watch. You don’t get that privilege anymore.”

“Let me fuck you, Lex.”

Well, that went straight to the sudden pulsating between her legs. She blew out a puff of air and crossed her arms standoffish. “No way. Go to bed.”

“I don’t want to. Let me touch you.”

Alexis backed away with three steps. The damn counter stopped her. “Cory, please don’t do this.”

“Why? Because you want it, too?”

“No, because I’m pregnant, and my hormones are all whacked out. I’m not strong right now.” Alexis begged for mercy all while staring at Cory’s lips, moving closer and closer to hers. The hormone confession wasn’t working either. His attempt was overwhelming.

“Stop trying to be strong.”

“Don’t touch me.”

“One kiss.”

“No, Cory. I’m being serious. Stop.”

And there it was. Her lips parted, allowing his tongue to move in, her heart fluttered, and the sensations between her legs became more intense. The taste of alcohol, the scent of his lingering cologne, and his warm hands up her shirt was all it took. Great. She
was
easy. Why couldn’t she just knee him in the nuts and tell him where to go?

“Cory,” Alexis panted with one last attempt to stop him.

“Let me make love to you,” he rasped right back. Cory didn’t give her time to respond. Cory walked backward, pulling her with him. Hand in hand, lips on lips. Every nerve in her body was on edge all while sensations of arousal flooded her entire existence. She needed to stop this right this second or it was going to be too late.

Alexis knew she’d unraveled the moment Cory backed her to the bed, removed her shirt, and slid her pants over her hips. His hands caressed her bare ass while his lips moved down her neck, her throat, and then her breast. A small whimper escaped when he latched on, and twisted the pucker between his teeth. What he did next took her by surprise. Cory dropped to his knees and held her round stomach with both hands.

He kissed her there three times and then whispered, “I love you.”

Alexis didn’t respond. Not that she could have anyway. She wasn’t sure if he was saying it to her or the baby. Whoever it was, she wasn’t about to ask. She couldn’t speak anyway. She was too busy analyzing what the hell was going on, and trying to talk herself into stopping it. That thought was lost at in the blink of an eye. Cory forced her to sit when his hand flattened on her chest and lightly pushed. His hands lightly parted her knees and his tongue took one long stroke. Alexis slid back on her elbows with erotic panting, taking Cory with her by a fistful of hair. She felt the hum from his moan between her legs and matched the same sound. As soon as her body thrashed below him, hips flaring, and back arching, Cory stopped. Dammit. He stopped.

A stomping sound from his drunken stumble was heard as he undressed and moved up her body. The taste of arousal and mixed with alcohol exploded in her mouth. “Where is it, Lex?”

“What?” she panted with a handful of hair, diving her tongue back into his mouth. Cory kissed her back, but it was brief.

“The toy. Where is it?”

“I don’t want to do that with you.”

Not playing fair at all, Cory circled her throbbing nub with three forceful fingers and kissed her hard. “Where is it?”

“I hid it in the top drawer over there,” she nodded around him. Yup, she was a weak imbecile. Her eyes followed him to the other side of the room, landing on the stiff erection Cory stroked in his hand. Holy Ba-Jesus.

Cory looked for a plug and then positioned Alexis by her ankles, needing her in the other direction. Their eyes locked when he turned it on and it hummed.

“You have to get a towel. It’s going to make a mess,” Alexis assure him.

His head tilted to the side along with a frown. “Why? What do you mean?”

Alexis didn’t answer with words. Her eyebrows lifted toward the ceiling and her head nodded.

“Oh, it makes you squirt.”

“I hate that word.”

“I fucking love it,” Cory admitted with a smile. He touched her with the round end, omitting the towel. It wasn’t his bed. Alexis jumped back and moaned. Cory stood to the side of the bed, holding her open with two fingers while he manipulated every inch of her with powerful vibrations. Alexis closed her eyes and then opened them when Cory placed her hand around his shaft and thrust into her with a hiss. The erotic foreplay was prolonged for as long as Alexis could stand it. She tried to warn him when she felt the first caution, deep in the pit of her stomach.

“Cory, oh fuck. Hmm, yes, yes, yes,” she called out as her hips thrashed into his cupped hand.

“Jesus Christ,” Cory mumbled as he watched her come down, eyes returning from their rolled position in the back of her head. His wet hand slid up her leg, lifting it to his shoulder. Alexis moaned again when placed one knee on the bed and moved into her. His hand held her hips, pulling with every push. The remembrance from trying to do this when she was pregnant with Kinley crossed her mind. The basketball shape kept her from seeing what he was seeing. However it didn’t keep her from letting go again, and again. Cory got her off again like that, and then moved her to her knees and did it again from behind. Once he moved her to her back, he finished, too. Their eyes locked when he shoved deep inside her, just like he always did, but this time was different. Cory grunted and pulled out of her, stroked himself above her and relived himself between her legs.

Alexis shifted her eyes, biting on her bottom lip to keep from speaking, afraid of what might come out. Cory took her hands and pulled her to her feet. She stood in front of him with their naked bodies touching, waiting for a kiss, a word, anything that didn’t come. He stepped around her and plopped to the bed on his stomach. Her head turned to his lifeless body and she walked away, feeling uncertain. He didn’t say one word. Did she just let him take advantage of her again? The suite bathroom was used to clean herself up and get a hold of herself. What the hell just happened? A confused, maybe hurt expression stared back at her, ambiguous thoughts and unclear intentions.

Cory was passed out cold when she returned. She covered him with a blanket that had fallen to the floor and gathered her clothes from the floor. What the hell did she just do? Alexis made her way back to the king sized floating bed and crawled in behind Kinley. Her little body rolled to her side and arm flung across her throat. Alexis placed her fingers over her arm and stroked it up and down, lost in thought. She felt ashamed, betrayed, and like the same idiot she’d been the night he’d had his way with her on her porch, months back. Even with the exhaustion Alexis slept very little. Her mind wandered the entire night, and his did not. Cory slept in the next room, oblivious and uncaring of her feelings.

***

Alexis was up with the girls, waiting on room service when Cory stumbled out of the room just before nine, looking disheveled and hungover.

“What is that?” he questioned while his fingers ran through his hair and he made his way to the much needed coffee.

“Look, Daddy,” Riki exclaimed as she made her way to him with tapping feet.

Cory’s eyes went right to Alexis. “Tap shoes?”

“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll take them to my house.”

“I’m going to shower. Can you get them ready? We’ve got to go.”

“I just ordered them eggs from downstairs.”

“We don’t have time. We’re having breakfast with my family.”

“You could have told me that last night. Oh yeah, that wasn’t what you had on your drunk mind.” Alexis felt instant insecurity mixed with rage. How stupid could she be?

Cory walked to her side behind the island and took her hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off so cold. I’m supposed to be downstairs in ten minutes. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” Alexis replied in a softer, less angry tone. “I’ll get them ready.”

“Thank you. Tap shoes?” he questioned again, smiled and walked away with his cup of coffee, leaving Alexis staring after him confused.

“Can we wear our tap shoes?” Riki asked with dancing feet, Kinley close behind.

“Yes, absolutely,” Alexis rebelliously agreed. She tried to dress Kinley first, but she threw a tantrum when Alexis attempted to remove the noisy shoes. She had to laugh at her when she walked toward the glass in nothing but the patent-leather shoes and white diaper. She giggled when she saw her reflection and moved her feet quickly like her big sister had.

Cory was showered and dressed ten minutes later, rushing Riki to hurry. He tried to argue the tap shoes, but Riki whined, explain that Alexis already said she could wear them, and Kinley screamed to the top of her lungs when he tried to trade hers out. Alexis sucked both her lips between her teeth to keep from laughing.

“You did this on purpose,” he accused while he tossed the diaper bag over his shoulder and hurried them along.

Alexis didn’t deny or admit the factual truth. “Will you be back before the wedding?”

“I doubt it. The wedding is at two. It’ll probably be later in the evening. You okay here?”