by Skye, M.
“Bianca I was thinking, and I want Alli to live with me. I think I’m more than capable of being a full-time father,” he blurted out.
“I think that is a marvelous idea, when would you like us to move in?” she asked excitedly. He had blurted it out so fast, when she replied all he heard was her saying it was a marvelous idea, he missed the part about her wanting to come as well.
“Well it's all settled, I’ll have Margret pack her things and I’ll collect them later tonight,” he said with a grand smile on his face.
After realizing what he meant, Bianca’s smile faded into a look of anger. “What? I thought you meant you wanted us to move in with you, you’re not taking my daughter,” she snarled and waved her balled fist in the air.
“You know I would be better for her, she told me she didn’t even live with you in Baltimore,” he snapped loudly. “Would you care to explain that?”
“That’s none of your business. All you care about is cutting me out to get back to your precious Meg to play house with my child,” she screamed and gave him a wicked look. “Why don’t you get it? Meg is just as unreliable as her slut mother, and I’ll tell you what, you'll have Allison over my dead body.”
Her chilling facial expression shook him a little, and he got a bad feeling about her raising their daughter. So many thoughts were running through his mind, like why she would bring up Maria when she barely knew her. At that point he knew he had to do whatever it took to get his child out of her grasp. He was convinced she was only using the child as leverage and never really cared for her. It reminded him much of his own father. He was determined for Allison to never feel that type of rejection.
“Bianca you don’t scare me, I will get my child away from you even if I have to strangle you to make it happen,” he said and pushed past her.
“You’re not taking her today,” she called out to him just as he reached the door.
“Try and stop me,” he said, and gave her a look, daring her to challenge him.
Bianca watched as Alex left the room and followed him out the living room. When they got there, they found Allison sitting on Ben’s lap telling him her plans of building a sandcastle. When Alex saw his little princess sitting on Ben’s lap, he instantly saw red. His first instinct was to rip her out of his arms, but he didn’t want to startle her. As much as he hated it, she bonded with Ben. When he was with Allison, Alex almost thought Ben to be human.
She brought out the best in him. Instead of causing a scene, he calmly called for her telling her it was time to go. Hearing his request sent her into a frenzy, and she jumped up to gather all of her things.
“Have fun sweet pea,” Melissa called out as they walked out the door.
“I will granny,” Allison yelled as she disappeared down the driveway.
Still livid with the fact that Alex had disobeyed her wishes, Bianca stood in the doorway of the living room speechless. Ben was the first to see her. When he noticed her angry demeanor, he walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“What’s got you in such a somber mood?”
“I’d rather not talk about it,” she replied and glared at Melissa.
“Oh don’t mind me I’m just minding my own damn business, but if what you have to say is about my son, then you better believe I’m going to listen. I will not have you two pulling any more tricks on him. I will cut your tongues out first,” Melissa replied and exited the room.
Bianca sat just looking straight toward the foyer before she started talking, she wanted to be sure she had full privacy with Ben before disclosing any information. Once she was sure, she started in on the argument that had her rattled. “Ben, your son has gone off the deep end,” she exhaled and flopped down on the couch.
“What idiotic thing has he done now?”
“Can you believe he wants me to allow my daughter to move in with him and leave me behind? If he thinks I’m going to just hand her over and allow him to build an instant little family with Meg he has another thing coming. I would pack her up and move first,” she gritted through her teeth.
“Of all the ridiculous notions. He has no sense of what is right; common sense should tell him that you are the perfect choice. You're stunning and you have his only child, he should be beating down your door, but instead he wants that trash. This is appalling.”
Bianca was glad to have Ben’s support, but something was puzzling her about everything and she needed answers. “I‘m happy that you approve of me, but why do you hate Meg so much? I mean she is not my favorite person because she is the reason my child doesn’t have a real family, but she doesn’t seem all that bad.”
“She is useless, she could never live up to the Hanover name. She is almost as futile as her whoreish mother,” he roared angrily. Bianca could tell she hit a sore subject and decided it would be best if she changed the topic of conversation.
“While I do appreciate everything you’ve done, I think it’s time for Alli and me to stop imposing. I feel we need to head back to Baltimore,” she said, and turned away trying to inspire some sympathy.
“Leave? I won’t hear of it, there is no way I’m letting you leave. My son will come to his senses if I have to beat it into him, just give me a little time to work on him. By this time next year the two of you will be married with my sweet Allison,” Ben assured her.
The look in Ben’s eyes told her that he bought her little innocent act hook, line and sinker, and she couldn’t be happier. Unfortunately, her little act did little to convince Melissa who was eavesdropping from the foyer. “So she thinks she can trick my son, huh? We will see who gets the last laugh,” Melissa huffed, and walked away to hatch up a plan. She felt horrible about the way she had let Ben spring the news about Allison on Alex and Meg, but she hoped to rectify it by helping push the two of them back together.
She was always proud of Alex for the way he stood up to his father, and she knew he would fight until his last breath to get Meg back. If only she could get Meg to push her pride aside and admit that Alex was the only man for her. While making her way up the stairs silently, she heard Bianca and Ben making their way into the foyer. Bianca had her keys in hand and Ben was ushering her out with encouraging words.
“What the hell is this? I hope you aren’t going to ruin Allison’s day out with her dad and aunt,” Melissa said sternly, conveniently leaving out that Meg would be there as well.
“If you must know dear, Bianca is going out to meet a friend,” Ben said sarcastically.
“I don’t care where she goes as long as she is not going to badger my son any further. And Ben, meet me in my bedroom now,” she demanded, and flew up the stairs. Bianca watched as Ben ran up the stairs in pursuit of Melissa, and laughed silently. Things were working out exactly as she planned, now on to seal the deal.
***
“Melissa, you come out of the bathroom this instant,” Ben yelled, and stomped his foot on the carpet in her bedroom.
“Don’t you scream at me like some barbarian, I am not a prisoner here,” she replied, while coming out with her hands on her hips.
“How dare you embarrass me in front of our daughter-in-law?”
“News flash, she is not your daughter-in-law. She is just the tramp that happened to get pregnant by our son. How dare you conspire with her to keep Meg and Alex apart? You know he loves her, it is time to get over your hatred for that girl. She has done nothing but love our son, and it’s time you recognize her as his choice,” she said, desperately trying to appeal to his emotions.
“She is not worthy of him,” he said quietly with a stoic expression.
“I suggest you get over your stubborn pride before you lose your granddaughter the same way you lost our son,” she said and turned away from him. Before she could walk away, she heard him call out to her quietly.
“Melissa, do you think it’s possible that I could ever get him back?” he asked with deep emotion in his voice.
“I think if you try to fix what you created and
accept that he is not you, then maybe.”
“What about you? Could I ever have us back?” he asked hopefully.
His question threw her for a loop; he had never seemed as vulnerable as he was at this moment. She wasn’t sure how to react at first. After thinking over his inquiry, she remembered all the years of torture he inflicted and the way he tried to destroy their children and her expression turned cold.
“Ben, you will never have us because you are a sick demented bastard. I hope you burn in hell,” she said, and walked back into the bathroom.
“You bitch! Forget you I don’t need any of you. All I need is my darling Allison. You wouldn’t be so high and mighty if your precious boys knew all about your affairs,” he snarled deviously.
His comment sent her flying out of the bathroom and right into his face. “Trust me, no one would blame me for any of that, they all know you're the most hateful bastard on the planet. It’s pitiful that you would resort to blackmail to keep me in your life. Actually, it’s pathetic,” she said, and tried to walk away.
He grabbed her wrist and she struggled to free herself from his grip, but he overpowered her and tossed her to the bed. “You listen to me and you listen well. If you keep interfering with my plans for Bianca and Allison, you will regret the day you ever crossed me,” he said in a tone that frightened her. She had never seen him look as sadistic as he did in that moment.
It sent a bolt of fear thought her as she watched him march out of her room briskly. His ridiculous need to try to control everything was going to be the ruin of him as far as she was concerned. He may have frightened her momentarily, but he did little to deter her from her plans of playing matchmaker for Alex and Meg.
After all they had been through, they deserved happiness, they deserved each other, and she would be damned if she didn’t make that happen for them. Hopefully they would make some progress today. She and Melia had played devil’s advocate with the beach plans.
Neither of them alerted Meg that Alex would be staying instead of just dropping Allison off. They felt like the time together would help prove to Meg she could accept being with Alex, even though he was a father now. She knew it wasn’t fact that she wouldn’t love to be in Allison’s life, it was just how it all came about.
No matter what the problem was, Melissa knew without a doubt that Meg was the one he deserved and Bianca was just a snake in the grass. She would get to the bottom of what Bianca was trying to get out of Alex if it killed her. She knew if Ben figured out what she was up to, he would be furious, but she had an ace in the hole. She knew his secret.
***
The car ride over to the beach was filled with chatter between father and daughter. Allison’s enthusiasm was becoming contagious for Alex. He was excited about his first beach excursion with his daughter, but he was also excited about the possibility of spending the day with Meg. That was if she didn’t bolt after being set up.
As he turned into the parking area, he saw her looking breathtaking in her red bikini. He was happy to see her look so radiant. The last time he saw her she didn’t look well, and here she was today, glowing. He was drooling and felt the urge to walk up and touch her. Allison was studying him intently while he watched Meg. When he heard her giggle, he looked down to see what she found so amusing.
“What’s funny princess?”
“You were looking at Aunt Meg for a long time, do you like her daddy?” she asked, with a huge smile on her face.
“What if daddy told you he did? How would you feel about that?” he asked, anxiously awaiting her answer.
She cocked her head to the side slightly pretending to think about her answer and then giggled lightly. “I think it would the best. Can I tell you a secret daddy?”
“You can tell me anything,” he said and stroked her cheek.
“I wish aunt Meg could be my new mommy; I don’t think mommy likes me very much,” she said and put her head down.
The look of sadness in her eyes made him want to fall apart; he wished Bianca was present at that moment so he could wrap his hands around her neck and choke her. How could she break the spirit of this amazing little girl? She was everything he ever wanted in a child, his only regret was that he didn’t share her with his beautiful Meg. Things would have been much simpler if he did.
“Sweetheart, look at daddy, your mommy loves you and your aunt Meg loves you too. That makes you one special little girl.”
“What about you daddy?”
“That’s the best part, daddy loves you more than everyone put together,” he said and pulled her into a bear hug.
“I love you too,” she said, and held on tightly.
Meg was scanning the area when she saw the touching scene in the truck between Alex and Allison. She had to admit, she was a bit jealous. She always wanted to share parenting with him. When they looked up and saw her staring at them, they both let go and proceeded to exit the truck.
Meg quickly took note of Alex’s attire and gave Melia a knowing look. She had been set up once again by her meddling sister. She wanted to be upset, but when she saw them coming towards her, all she could feel was giddy.
She had to admit, he looked sexy in his red swimming trunks and no shirt. She looked at his rippling abs glistening under the sunlight and she felt her knees start to buckle. God help her, but she wanted him so much it hurt.
Allison was the first to reach the ladies. She ran right up to Meg and hugged her first before moving on to hug Melia and Cienna as well. Before they knew it, the two girls were running towards the water, dragging Melia closely behind them. “I’ll take care of the girls, you two talk,” Melia called out while still running towards the girls.
“We have been set up,” Meg said and blushed slightly.
“Actually you were set up, I knew all about it. I hope you’re not angry, but when mom told me the plan I couldn’t pass up the chance to see you again,” he said nervously.
When he put his head down, she found herself giggling at the sight. “I was surprised to see that you were staying, but I’m not angry,” she said and walked closer. Her smile gave him a sense of confidence and he took the chance and reached for her hand. When she didn’t pull away, he knew he was making progress and delighted her with his handsome smile.
How was it that any contact with Alex could incite feelings of raw passion in her? This time was no different, when he took her hand in his she felt like everything was right in the world again, if only for just that moment. They walked down towards the water slowly, just savoring the feel of being with each other once again.
“I’m glad I’m here with you, I missed you Angel Face,” he said and gripped her hand tighter. She was still holding on to him, but she remained silent, this made him nervous. He hoped he hadn’t pushed too hard. When she finally looked up at him, he saw all the love in her eyes and put his restless mind at ease. Even though she didn’t say it out loud, he knew she missed him too, and that was enough.
To say the afternoon was fun was an understatement, it was perfect. Allison and Cienna thoroughly enjoyed their first beach outing together, and after the arrival of Gio, Marco, Matthew, Aiden and Emily, Alex was able to spend some alone time with Meg as well. He couldn’t have asked for a better time, having his two favorite girls together was pure bliss for him.
When the sun started to set, they had built a bonfire and the children were roasting marshmallows. Allison found her way into Meg’s arms and was looking comfortable. Alex, who was watching them interact, was lost in his own euphoria.
When Meg looked up, their eyes connected and he thought he would lose his breath. She was more amazing than he ever imagined. The way she was sitting there caring for his daughter made him love her more than he thought possible.
He sat there staring at her as long as he could before he had to get something off his chest. “Allison sweetheart, do you think I could borrow your Aunt Meg for a few minutes? I promise I’ll bring her right back,” he said and ran his hand through her hair.
“Yes, daddy,” she said and hopped off her lap. “Give her a big kiss,” she said, and turned back to the fire.
Meg was stunned by the little girl’s keen observations; she was too smart for her own good. Alex took her back towards where they parked their cars and stopped suddenly in front of his truck. He was pacing back and forth nervously, the sight made her chuckle lightly.
He couldn’t figure out why she would be laughing at him at a time that he was trying to be serious. The thought almost upset him, but then he thought about how he must look to her pacing back and forth like a caged animal and laughed to himself.
“What’s so important? You only act like this when there is something heavy on your mind,” she said and straightened her expression. She knew him too well. Her assumptions were dead on because he was about to drop a bombshell on her. He only hoped she took the news well.
“You know I’ve been beating myself up about everything that has happened and not being there for Allison. Well, I want her to live with me full time. I hope this doesn’t cause issues for us because I very much want you to come home too, I just hope I’m not asking too much,” he said as quickly as possible.
Meg was a bit surprised, but she had never been prouder. Although the situation wasn’t ideal, Alex had stepped up and turned out to be an amazing father that put his child first. She couldn’t help but to break out in a brilliant smile.
“I think Allison coming to live with you is a wonderful idea. You will give her all the love and support she needs, but as far as me coming back, I’m not sure I’m ready for that. We still have some hurdles to overcome, we can’t fix things overnight. I’m going to have to learn to trust you again.”
“As much as I don’t like it, I guess I have to respect it. At least you are giving it some thought. Baby steps,” he said and kissed her cheek.
“I know we aren’t together, but you don’t have to kiss me like I’m your sister,” she said and smiled at him inquiringly.
