Chapter 15
Alexa makes my world so much brighter, when we pull up to ‘Sailors Lookout’ all I see is this flash of red with a head of black curls bouncing as Alexa runs full tilt towards the Beast.
“Someone’s missed you,” Alexander says chuckling.
“She’s missed both of us, Handsome, I say smiling wide.”
“Nahhh, I’ll bet you a white Beast if Alexa comes to your side.”
I laugh because I’ve been saying how pretty a pearl white one would be, “Deal.”
“Incoming, in 3… 2… 1…!”
Alexander laughs louder and points to our girl and sure enough her happy little grin is barreling straight for me.
“Looks like I’m getting my very own Beast,” I giggle and turn side on just in time for Alexa to launch herself at me, Alexander moves like lightning to help brace me for impact as Alexa launches at me.
“Princess, you have to be careful, you could have knocked Mommy over.”
“I’m sowwy, Daddy, I’s just so excited and wants to show Mommy my woom, and the stables.”
I chuckle because her enthusiasm makes everything so much better.
“I know Princess, but you have to go slower in the future,” Alexander says shaking his head with a big smile.
“I will Daddy, I’s pwomise.”
“I can’t believe the progress Alexander, how have you managed all this?”
Alexander smirks, “Money, Angel, I suppose it comes in handy when we really need it.”
“Alexander, this must be costing you a fortune,” I say leaning my body into his as he wraps his strong arms around me.
“Our fortune, and yes, it’s costing a bomb, but we’ll never miss it. Besides it’s worth it, I want my family happy and safe and that is all that matters to me, I couldn’t give two shits about the cost.”
We start walking up to house and Alexa runs ahead, she’s definitely going to sleep well tonight.
“What do you mean you’ll–”
“We won’t even notice the cost after six months, the returns we get on the investments we have will cover the cost, our money grows at a rapid rate because when we have large amounts invested.”
I stop and look up at Alexander, “I know you said you’re a billionaire but this is insane.”
“Angel, we honestly never have to worry about money ever in our lifetime, even if we have ten children there is more than we or their children will ever need.”
I start to feel faint and sway on my feet.
“Baby, I got you, are you okay?” Alexander asks concerned.
“I think so, I just need some water and to get out of this heat.”
Alexander scoops me up like I weigh nothing and starts jogging, jogging with my weight like I’m just a feather.
“Omg-osh put me down, I can walk, Handsome.”
“Not a chance, baby.” Alexander says emphatically.
We crest the hill and I see the army of workers all around our property and I’m amazed as I look around and see just how much work is actually done, the buildings are fully constructed and look finished on the outside except the hardware and exterior lighting.
Alexander’s phone starts ringing and he sits me on the decking as he fishes his cell out of his pocket and answers it.
‘Doc, what’s up?’
Alexander looks at me, ‘No, Lily’s okay, she needs some water, why?’ Alexander puts the call on speaker so I can hear Doc.
“Lily, how are you feeling?” Doc asks sounding a little off.
“I’m good, Doc, just a little hot and thirsty, why?” I look at Alexander and he shrugs.
“I was working with Caroline when all of a sudden she insisted I call and make sure you were, okay.”
There’s a shuffling noise on the other end then Caro’s voice.
“I felt it, Elizabeth, you were about to faint. Are you, okay?” Caro’s worried voice comes through the speaker.
I smile, and Alexander looks surprised, “I’m good, it’s hot and I’m excited seeing the property, I’m okay, I promise.”
Alexa comes around the corner just as Caro says, “Pinky promise.”
“What’s a pinky promise, Mommy.” Her face questioning.
I pull Alexa to me and sit her on my lap and look to Alexander who nods his approval.
“I have someone on the phone I’d like you to meet.”
“Who is it?” Alexa asks all excited.
“Well, do you remember me talking about my daddy and sister that day in Central Park?”
Alexa nods and sadness befalls her face, “Yes, your daddy and sistaw awe in the staws with Mommy and Daddy.”
“I did say that, but we found out my sister is on earth.” Alexa gasps in shock, this is a tough one because I don’t want her thinking that everyone can come back from the stars.
“Hello,” Caro says on the other end distracting Alexa.
Alexa gasps and looks at the phone, this is not the way I expected to introduce them but kids make life unpredictable.
“Awe you Mommy’s sistaw? Really? Youw not in the staws.”
I’ve been seeing Caroline daily for the past two weeks and have told Caroline about Alexa; she knew of her from when she was forced to call me but didn’t really know. Caroline chuckles, I haven’t heard her laugh in eight years and tears spill from my eyes watching and listening to this exchange. Alexander comes over and sits beside me and wraps his arms firmly around me knowing I need the extra support.
“I am Mommy’s sister and you must be Alexa. I’ve heard so much about you.” Caro sounds happy and it’s heartwarming to hear.
Alexa looks at me with wide questioning eyes and grabs my cheeks in her little hands, “Mommy yaw sistaw, wheaw is she, I wants to see her.”
I hear Caro’s voice, “Alexa, I’m here you can speak to me on the phone, baby girl.”
I know what Caroline’s trying to do and I appreciate the deflection, but I’m starting to panic because I don’t know what to do.
“You need to breathe, Elizabeth, it’ll be, okay.” Caroline soothes.
“Daddy, can we go see my new Auntie?” Alexa asks hopeful.
Alexander asks for Doc and walks off. Alexa is just staring at me and I don’t know what to say.
“Why did youw sistaw tell you to bweathe?”
I take a deep breath and explain to Alexa that Caroline is my sister but she’s also my twin sister.
“The same as my bwothaws,” She asks in surprise.
“What will you do if these bugs are little girls?”
“They not, Mommy.” Alexa says confidently patting my tummy, “how did she know?”
I smile, my little love is ever the curious one, “When you’re an identical twin sometimes you can feel your other twins feelings, even when you’re not near them.”
“Wow, like a supa powaw?” Alexa asks animatedly.
“Kind of, it’s not always there, but we can feel the same happiness, worry, and sometimes even when the other is sick.”
“That’s fun, no fun, but so cool!”
“Yes, it is pretty special.”
Alexander walks back over and sits next to us, “Are you, okay?” He asks.
I nod and smile, “Yeah, Handsome, I’m good, what did you discuss?”
Alexander’s eyes divert quickly to Alexa and then nods at me.
“Alexa, would you like to meet Mommy’s sister tomorrow?” Alexander asks.
Alexa claps happily, “Can I, Mommy? Please.”
“Doc said he’s okay with it, and Caroline would like too, but only if you’re comfortable.”
I take some deep breaths and sip my water, is it too soon? My mom is ready, but is Caroline? I’ll take Doc’s guidance and trust that he’s right, he’s always had each of our best interests at heart and know he wouldn’t put any of in a situation that could any of us.
Maybe meeting Alexa will help Caroline like how she helped me when I first met her.
Alexander hands me the phone and I say, “Caroline, Alexa would like to meet her Auntie, do you want to give her the good news?”
I pass the phone to Alexa and she listens to what Caroline tells her.
“Hooyah, I’s going to makes you some of my special Elsa cupcakes, what flavaw is yaw favwit?”
Alexa smiles wide, “Uh-huh, Okays, vanilla, just like Mommy, I can do that. I will bwing stowies to wead and we can dwaw too.”
Dad and Betty can be heard a mile away bickering about what would be best in Alpha’s war room, and it makes me smile.
‘Now you listen here, Davies, if you want the HH to be undetectable, you’ll damn well listen to me,’Betty is fired up about something, honestly, she is a sweetheart once you get to know her but she will voice her opinion loudly and not back down if she knows what’s best. When Betty speaks you listen, the more I’m around these men the more I have that feeling that Betty was in the military at some point in her life, I can see the similarities between her and the team.
‘Woman, pitch your idea to Harrington, but it might be too late to change the design, the roof is about to go on.’ Dad says, flustered.
I catch the tail end of Alexa saying goodbye and then she catches my attention again.
“Mommy we needs to go shopping, Doc said Auntie might like some new clothes, can we Mommy, I can call Auntie Lottie and she can help us.”
I laugh, I don’t feel like I could survive a shopping trip with Lottie, that’d be like running a marathon in my condition.
“I’ll call Auntie Lottie and see if she would like to take you, but Mommy needs to stay here and inspect our house and try to stay off my swollen feet Lovebug.”
“Okay, we’ll have Auntie-Niece day then.” Alexa claps her hands happily.
Lottie agreedto go shopping for me and I ever thankful, she’s just arrived to pick Alexa up for their shopping trip and she looks worried.
“So, meeting Caroline and your mom huh, are you sure about this, Lils?”
I hear the concern in Lottie’s voice and I understand her worry, if I’m being honest, this is monumental. I do not want my little girl to get her hopes up of having a Grandmother and Aunt and something happens and their mental health declines, it is such a difficult situation.
Alexa is my everything, a pure hearted little angel and maybe it’s just what they both need but I also don’t want anything to hurt her beautiful soul.
“I’m trusting Doc because he wouldn’t put us in harm’s way, I’ve been having daily visits and they are both doing extremely well, Doc thinks my mom is almost ready for release and Caroline is working hard daily on her mental and physical health.”
Lottie nods and is listening.
“Caroline is doing twice daily therapy sessions and following the psychologist and Doc’s treatment plan perfectly. After I saw her that first time she continued opening up and has been making remarkable progress because she wants to be better ever since she found out the full back story, she’s been different. She doesn’t show anger towards me, is she angry at times, yes, she’s still riding the waves but also using coping strategies to overcome them herself.”
Lottie’s face darkens, “Well, I suppose you can only try, but only if you want to, Lils.”
I can see it written all over her face, Lottie doesn’t shy away from expressing her feelings, I can clearly see she doesn’t like it, “Lottie, Doc, Tiny, and Alexander will be there, and I will also protect her with my life.”
“Yeah well, I know what that woman did to you, and I still have to process that, and your sister, she’s been through the worst hell imaginable. I swear to all that’s holy, Lils, if they come after you or my doll, I’ll happily be the executioner. You have come too far to have any bad crap come back into your life and I will cut a bitch!”
I giggle and pull her in for a hug, it’s awkward now with my tummy being so huge and it definitely gets in the way.
Lottie breaths out a resigned breath, “So, what am I buying for Caroline?”
“The complete opposite to me, think if your style and my style had a baby but a little ‘preppie’ in style, well that’s what it used to be.”
Lottie laughs, “Okay, is she identical in size and weight?”
Sadness washes through me, “Not anymore, Caroline is two inches shorter than me, so 5’6 and she’s probably up to my pre pregnancy weight now that she’s healthier.”
We’ll never know if Caroline was going to end up shorter than me but generally identical twins are the same height with only a slight difference if any.
“Favorite color?” Lottie asks.
“It used to be all colors, but her coat was always navy blue and mine always red.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for V, but talking about coats; this heat is stifling, how the hell are you coping?”
I laugh, “I’m not, it’s much better here in Connecticut especially up here on top of the hill where we get a sea breeze come through, but in Manhattan it’s awful. I avoid the elements like the plague which is hard because Alexa and I are missing our time in Central Park.”
“Yeah, I get it, I don’t think I’d be able to be heavily pregnant through summer. Fall is next week and will be perfect for your wedding and easier for the birth, how many weeks are you now?”
I sigh, “Twenty-eight weeks tomorrow, I don’t think I’ll make it to full term, most multiplies don’t, but I’m so tight you could seriously bounce a quarter of my belly, and when they roll it feels like the drop on a roller coaster.”
“Yeah, that’s a ‘No’ from me. You, however, are beautiful Lils. If anyone was made for motherhood it, is you. I’m gonna be the best Auntie ever! I think that’ll be it for me.”
‘No way, you’d look hot with a swollen belly, Charlotte.’Reid says cheekily coming up behind us.
‘Hi, Auntie,’Alexa says, letting go of Reid’s hand and tackling Lottie in a hug.
‘Yeah, I think not, Reid. How’s my doll?’
‘Weady to shop until we dwop, Auntie,’Alexa says and everyone laughs.
Reid winks, “Oh, I don’t know, I think it could be fun.”
I see a flash of… interest on Lottie’s face, or was that surprise, hmmm interesting.
‘Yankee, Oscar, Uniform.
Charlie, Alpha, November.
Foxtrot, Uniform, Charlie, Kilo.
Romeo, India, Golf, Hotel, Tango.
Oscar, Foxtrot, Foxtrot.’
Reid laughs heartedly, while Lottie pins him with a wicked death stare.
Alexa and I giggle, at the exchange, both for different reasons. Reid and Lottie, that could work, all we need now is some popcorn to watch this show unfold.
Lottie stands abruptly, ‘Let’s go shopping, Doll.’
The she turns to me, “I’ll feed Alexa dinner before bringing her home, give you and the big guy some time together.”
I smile, ready to say something when Alexa pipes in, ‘Auntie, I knows it’s not yaw thing but tonight, can I please have a New Yowk ‘Special’ I miss them and Mommy can’t have them at the moment.’
‘Sure, Doll. I might even ride the carousel, how does that sound?’
Alexa looks to me before she directs her answer to Lottie, ‘No, thank you, I’s keeping that special faw Mommy and me. We do movies, Auntie, that’s ouw thing.’
Alexa comes over and kisses me, “I loves you, Mommy.”
A sob escapes from out of nowhere, taking us all by surprise and everyone starts laughing. Lottie grabs Alexa and hightails it to the Beast, Reid follows hot on their heels and when Lottie notices he’s the one chaperoning them she looks to me and flips me the bird. I can’t help but laugh, just imagining Reid questioning everything Lottie does would be comedy gold.
I’ll bake Lottie her favorite blueberry muffins for when she drops Alexa back to smooth her mood, I know she’ll need the treats, and the last thing I see as they back away is Reid and Alexa laughing and Lottie not looking amused.