Circle of Deception 2

by Skye, M.

  Emilio watched the argument and swooped in. “Girls, calm down. Everything is better now, your brother is doing better, and we added a new addition. This should be a happy time.”

  “A new addition? They told you! Who was it papa? Meg, Maddie, or Emily?”

  Emilio sat back and sighed. Both Meg and Melia could see that he was playing her words in his head. They both knew they were busted. “I was speaking of Lexie, but I see that you mean something different. Tell me what you’re talking about, right now.”

  “Papa,” Melia pleaded. “Please don’t do this.”

  “Now, Melia,” he roared in a voice that startled her. He had never raised his voice with either of them, and his stern expression frightened her. Meg sat with her mouth open as he stared Melia down. “I’m waiting, or should I have Meg, Maddie, or Emily explain it to me?”

  “Papa, don’t be angry,” she sighed. “I....I... I’m pregnant, and....”

  “Well, why would I be angry about this? This is a blessing, I can’t wait...”

  “But, papa, you didn’t let me finish. I’m not keeping it. Matt and I are getting a divorce, and I don’t want him to stay with me because of the baby.”

  Emilio’s complexion turned a bright red tint, and before he knew it, he was screaming loudly. “You were raised better than this! Your mother and I never taught you to behave this way, this is unacceptable.”

  When Emilio started yelling she was cursing herself for enraging him, but when she heard the comment about Maria, she suddenly felt angry. “Papa, I’m sorry, but I’m an adult. You taught me many things, but mom, taught me how to run away. She is the reason why I cling to my daughter so hard. I never want Cici to feel how we felt growing up. We always wondered why she didn’t want us, and dad, I’m tired of acting like she was this big martyr. She left us, she left you, let’s stop pretending now. I’m going to do what I need to do and that’s final.”

  “You listen to me, you ungrateful ass little girl, your mom was the best woman in the world, and you would be lucky to be half the mother she is. You ruin your life if you want, but don’t expect us to pick up the pieces. You see, you don’t deserve that man. He gives his all to you, but you’re selfish. You will regret everything you’ve said here tonight, and you’ll regret getting rid of that baby.”

  Emilio turned and left Melia and Meg with their mouths open. They were both stunned by his outburst. Their dad had always talked to and treated them like princesses, and him yelling at Melia was out of character. Meg turned and gave Melia a look that said go to hell before walking in the house, leaving her outside alone. Melia watched as the door shut and stood next to her car, clutching her stomach. Why did things have to be so complicated?

  ***

  “Angel Face, talk to me. I can tell by the look on your face that there is something bothering you,” Alex sighed.

  “Baby, I just want sleep. Can we please talk about this later? I just want to kiss my babies goodnight and climb into bed.”

  “I’ll let it go for now, come with me.” Alex pulled her down to Allison’s room and they creaked the door open slowly. Allison was fast asleep with her tablet in hand and Cienna was fast asleep next to her. Alex reached out and moved it away and kissed both girls on the head, as did Meg. When Allison felt Meg’s lips on her forehead, her eyes fluttered open. She smiled at both of them and pulled Meg to her.

  “Thank you for letting me have my party, mommy, I love you.”

  “Did you enjoy it? I know Uncle Gio got sick, but did you still have fun?”

  “I did mommy, is Uncle Gio going to die like Granny Maria?”

  “No, baby,” Meg pushed her hair back, “Uncle Gio is going to be just fine. He even told me to give you a message.”

  “What is it?” Allison squealed.

  “He said to tell you sorry for dropping you, and he would like for you to send him one of your pretty pictures.”

  “I’ll make him one now!” She sat up.

  “Not so fast, princess,” Alex protested. “It’s too late to be up. You can make him one tomorrow, it’s your bedtime.”

  “Okay, daddy,” she said sadly.

  “Don’t be sad. Daddy will help you tomorrow, I promise.”

  “Thank you!”

  Alex kissed her again and pulled the covers over her small body. “Goodnight, we love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  They made their way back to their room, and Jordan was fast asleep in his bassinet. They had moved him out of his room to give Lexie some privacy. He had a full sized bed for when Alex and Meg had to be in there longer than expected, so they just let her sleep there.

  Marisol also spent a great deal of time in there when she would hear him stirring in the night and didn’t want to wake Meg or Alex. They had a pool house built a few months back for Marisol when they realized the house was getting too full. They wanted her to be able to have her privacy, even though, she had been sleeping with Jordan ever since he moved back into his room.

  Marisol was a great help with the kids, they couldn’t have asked for a better maid. She doubled as their maid and nanny without batting an eye. They gave her a huge raise when the kids came, but they could tell she loved spending time with them.

  Alex watched as Meg stood over Jordan, watching him sleep. He knew she had something on her mind, but he didn’t want to continue prying. He just needed her to know that she could tell him whenever she was ready. They had all had a pretty dramatic day, and he knew she needed time to unwind. When she felt his hands on her shoulders, she sighed deeply and relaxed under his touch. He rubbed her gently, and she molded into his chest.

  “That feels good, baby. You really know how to spoil a girl.”

  “We’ve had an impossible day. Come lay down with me and I’ll break out the oil. You’re really tense, maybe I can help get rid of it.”

  “That sounds heavenly, but I was thinking of something a little different.”

  “Baby,” he nodded towards Jordan. “We aren’t alone tonight.”

  “Not that,” she hit him playfully. “I just want to do the massaging. You need to relax as well, and I’ll feel better if I know I helped you.”

  “I don’t mind doing you first.”

  “I do, you’re always thinking of me first. I want you to feel special.”

  Alex smiled and leaned in to kiss her. “Whatever I did to deserve this, just let me know, and I’ll keep it up.”

  She pulled him to her and held him tight. “You’re just you. You are always exactly what I need you to be, and I never want to lose that.”

  Alex wasn’t sure what brought this on. She was always affectionate, but this was different, it was as if she thought she might lose him. He ran his hand through her hair and tried to relax her tense body, with no luck. He hated seeing her this way, because he knew there was no way he would leave her, not now, not ever. All he could do was reassure her with each breath in his body.

  “Baby, is there something you’re not telling me?”

  Meg closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. “Matt asked Melia for a divorce. She is so stupid, it’s her fault, and she doesn’t understand how lucky she is to have him.”

  “I can’t believe it. What happened?”

  “He realized how selfish she is finally. Melia has never had to deal with heartache or pain, she has just always had it all, and it made her selfish. You see, both Maddie and I have had our share of trouble in love, but ever since high school, Melia has had Matt. As screwed up as what he said was, he has always given her the world, and now he wants her to show him something other than the fact that she can just keep taking. I just didn’t want you to feel that way about me one day. You do so much for me and the kids, I just want you to know that I will always meet you half way.”

  Alex took her hands and pulled her down on his lap as he took a seat on the bed. “The thing is, they may be our siblings, but they’re not us. The one thing you can never be is selfish. You think of me, the kids, and your whole family
before you think of yourself. That’s why they all come to you for advice and support, your heart is so big, and I’m lucky to have a piece of it. I do all I can for you because I’m not sure if I even deserve you.”

  “You’re the best person in the world,” tears fell from her eyes. “You’re always honest with me.” The guilt from everything she had been keeping from him today was wearing on her. She wanted to come clean, but she knew they weren’t her secrets to tell. Everything with Matt and Melia was making her crazy, and she knew it was time for her to step back and let the chips fall. Now was the time for her to focus on their family and that would be first and foremost.

  Alex rubbed her back and she sobbed on his shoulder. He hated seeing her cry and he felt like she had been doing so much of that lately. All of the drama from outside sources was weighing them down. He pulled her back and looked into her eyes, the eyes that always enchanted him, and smiled. “I want you to promise me something, sweetheart. I want you to tell me that from here on out, there are no more tears. I only want to see your smile, we have so much to be happy about in our lives. We’re happy and our children are taken care of. Smiles are all I want to see on your beautiful face.”

  “I can promise that,” she smiled. “Now, I still want to give you that massage I promised. Lie down, honey.”

  Alex laid on his stomach and closed his eyes in preparation, he felt like a king having her pamper him like this. He was truly lucky to have her, and in that moment, he felt a sense of regret for Matt. Here he was the happiest he had ever been, and his little brother was in such distress. He knew he had to do something to help him out of the funk he was in, but for now, he was going to enjoy his time with his wife, while secretly fighting the urge to flip her over and take her delectable body.

  Alex felt the warm oil she rubbed in her hands hit his back and shoulders and moaned lightly. Her hands felt so good on him, and he felt himself stiffen. Only she could make him respond so strongly to just a simple massage. He was just about ready to flip her and rub her down, when he heard something. He thought for sure his mind had to be playing tricks on him, because they had just tucked her in, but when he glanced over to the doorway, there stood their little girl with tears in her eyes.

  Meg saw Alex’s attention shift toward the door, and she looked over to see Allison rubbing her weeping eyes. “Sweetie, what’s wrong?”

  “Mommy, I had another bad dream. I thought you were gone. I called for you and you didn’t answer, so I got scared.” Meg stood off the bed, and Allison rushed into her open arms. “Mommy, I’m scared, are you still going to be here when I wake up?”

  Meg held her close and sighed. “Yes, baby, I’m never going to leave you. Tell me about these dreams, when did you start having them?”

  Allison hesitated and looked to both Meg and Alex nervously. “After I went back to school. I... I... thought you got tired of being my mommy because you have Jordan now. You pick him up every time he cries, and you have to play with him more than me.”

  Alex heard the story, but he wasn’t buying it. Since when did their little girl start lying to them? He could tell by her hesitation that there was something more and the story sounded rehearsed. He knew the only way to get the answers he needed would be with the help of doctor Steinfeld. She had been so helpful in the past, and now they needed her to draw out whatever Allison was keeping from them. They had her appointment the following Monday, and now he was going to make sure to clear his day to see it through.

  Alex watched as Meg rocked Allison in her arms until she fell asleep. When she was out all the way, Meg placed her between them and kissed her gently. Alex looked to her and saw tears in her eyes. He reached out and caught one before it fell. “You promised me, no more tears, baby. I’m going to take care of this, I promise you. I don’t want another worried look to cross your face.”

  “But, Alex...”

  “Meg, trust me. Go to sleep.” He pulled her lips to his and placed a heart-stopping kiss that made her cave. When he released her, he smiled and ran his hand down her cheek. When she smiled, he moved his other hand to cradle her face and put his forehead to hers. “I love you my angel.”

  “I love you too.”

  Alex released her and went over to look at Jordan. He was sleeping peacefully, and when he lifted him, he didn’t even stir. Meg smiled when she saw him with their son, they looked so handsome together. When Alex approached the bed and placed Jordan beside Allison, cradling him in his arms, she leaned back and pulled Allison to her. They fell into a peaceful sleep with their children in their arms; nothing else compared.

  ***

  “Aiden, promise me that we won’t end up as crazy as Melia and Matt,” Emily sighed. “That whole situation is jacked up.”

  Ever since they left the hospital, Emily had been thinking about Melia and her stupid choice. She knew she and Matt had problems, but making a decision that major without telling him was unforgivable. She was beating herself up for not sticking to her guns and telling Matt, but when she saw the look of distress on Melia’s face, she couldn’t go through with it. They had all been friends so long, and now it felt like everyone was caught in the middle. A part of her wanted Matt to know, but then another part of her understood that she didn’t want him to stay with her out of obligation. The situation was so messy.

  Aiden sat up in bed and pulled her back against his chest. “Em, I Love my brother, but we are not the same people. Now if you don’t mind, I would rather be discussing so many other things with you. You’re rarely ever here, and I want to enjoy my time with you.”

  Emily sighed and folded her arms over his. “I don’t like missing you so much when I’m gone. The shoots are awesome, but it’s getting old always being away from you and everyone I love.”

  “What would you like to do about it? I’m fine with you staying here. If I had my way I would lock myself in here with you forever,” he laughed.

  “Stop joking,” she swatted. “I’m being serious.”

  “Me too. I missed you so much when you were gone, and with all this mess around us, it puts things into perspective.”

  Aiden thought back on the conversation he had with Melissa before she got back. At the time, he thought he wasn’t ready to commit to forever, but as soon as she got back, he knew he never wanted to see her go again. He had spent her whole first night back, making love to her and he knew then and there he was gone. After they concluded their steamy reunion and she was passed out, he watched her sleep. He had never done that with any other woman, but he had with her. He knew she was the one, the one he had been waiting for, the one he dreamed of. She was perfect.

  Emily turned to face him and swallowed hard when she saw all the intensity in his eyes. He looked like he had something on his mind. “Aiden, what’s that look?”

  He sat her up gently and pulled the drawer to his nightstand open. When he revealed a small box to her, she felt a lump form in her throat. He opened it and revealed a huge ring that sparkled even in the dimly lit room. She put her hand to her lips and he smiled. “Em, I know there was probably a better way to ask you, but I couldn’t wait a second longer. I love you, I need you, and I want you to be mine forever. Will you marry me?”

  After the first night of her being home, he was at work and it hit him, he wanted to marry her. He wasn’t doing anything special, he was just going over some case files, when he looked down at his cell and saw her picture. He studied it for a few minutes, and then he was up and out the door. His car seemed to guide itself into the parking lot of the jewelry store, and then he found himself in front of the most gorgeous rings. He looked at the case for several minutes and then the clerk came over to help. He pointed out the ring he had been admiring, and as soon as it was in his hand, he knew it was the one. He could just see it on her finger. He was snapped back into the present by her soft ramblings.

  Emily gasped and let a single tear fall. “Oh god, oh god,” she stuttered. Aiden held the box out, but his face took on a nervous expressio
n as she continued to repeat the same thing over and over. The apprehension in her voice made him think that maybe his first assumption was correct; maybe it was too soon for them. Emily saw the change in his expression and moved her hand from her mouth. “I’m sorry... I was just... Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”

  Aiden snatched the ring from the box and slid it on her finger hurriedly and pulled her to him. “Whew, you had me nervous, baby. I thought I was going to have to tuck my tail and hide.”

  “No, you’re not going anywhere, you’re mine now,” she smirked.

  “Yours, I like the sound of that,” he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and deepened the kiss. When he flipped them over, she giggled and wrapped her legs around him. He reveled in the feel of her, and rolled to his side, drawing her to his chest. She let out a deep sigh while tracing imaginary circles on his bare chest. “I’m really happy, Em. You have made me the happiest man alive.

  “Not yet I haven’t,” she smiled. “We have to celebrate the moment, and I have people to call.”

  “They will have to wait, and it’s two in the morning. You owe me something more, and I’m gonna get it,” he flipped her on her back. “Top or bottom, sweetheart?”

  She sat up and ran her hand down his cheek and into his shirt. “Both.” When he tackled her assaulting her with sensual kisses, she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. The moment was perfect, perfect enough to freeze in time. She held her hand out and admired her ring as he kissed her, and lost herself in him for the first time as his fiancé. She couldn’t wait to tell the world, but for now they would have to wait. She had other matters to tend to right now.

  ***

  “She is doing what?” Maria screamed. “That girl has lost her damn mind. I’ll slap some sense into her right now!”

  “Maria just calm down,” Emilio reasoned. “You can’t do anything right now. You’re supposed to be dead, remember? You just have to stay put. I tried talking to her, but she is so bitter and disrespectful. I think we made a mistake in always coddling her. Now she just expects things from people without giving anything in return.”