Levi
Six Months Later
Levi passed Alexis as he exited the bathroom. She was on her way in. He walked into the closet and dressed before heading to the kitchen and filling two travel mugs with coffee. Toast popped, and he buttered them, adding strawberry jam to one and Vegemite to the other. Alexis walked into the kitchen and grabbed the one with strawberry jam, pecking him on the cheek before taking a bite. They stood in the kitchen, shoulder to shoulder, as they ate their toast and sipped their coffee.
‘Are we still on for dinner with Elias tonight?’ Alexis asked as she washed and wiped her hands in the sink.
Levi nodded, doing the same before grabbing his keys.
They took their travel mugs, Alexis grabbed her bag, and they headed out of the apartment to the elevator.
‘Yeah. I might need to call him to remind him, though,’ Levi said. ‘He’s been in his studio preparing for his next exhibition. You know what he’s like when he’s working.’
Since his first exhibition, Elias was now a sought-after artist. He’d managed to rise above the shit of the court cases and media storm and establish himself independently of the family. Levi couldn’t be prouder of him, but he couldn’t tell Elias that. The last thing he wanted was to come across as patronising. Instead, Levi supported him by purchasing a few smaller pieces—the larger ones were ridiculously high-priced, proof of his talent—and making sure he took a break every now and again. It had come as a shock to learn just how dedicated and singularly focused Elias could be when he worked. Levi had always thought he was flaky and lazy… he’d been wrong.
‘When’s Theo back?’ Alexis asked as they stepped into the elevator.
‘Next week.’
Alexis got a thoughtful look on her face. ‘I wonder if Sarah knows.’
Levi was not going to wade into that particular swamp. He didn’t know what went down between them six months ago, but he knew Theo had not been the same. And according to Alexis, Sarah had been touchy about the subject and would leave the room whenever Theo was mentioned.
Levi and Theo had always had a healthy rivalry that stemmed from nothing more than Levi being jealous of him, his ease around people, and the way he could make friends with anyone. When they were at school, Levi could barely string two words together in front of people—especially women—and Theo’s ease at it grated on him. For some reason—unknown to Levi—Theo had become his friend and continued to be, even when Levi constantly pushed him away. Now that Alexis was in his life, Levi realised he actually liked Theo and valued their friendship, although Theo didn’t need to know that. He liked their ‘frenemy’ dynamic, and he thought Theo did too. It was their thing.
The elevator opened onto the basement level, and they walked to their respective cars. Levi’s was parked in his assigned space, and Alexis’ was in the visitors’ space. Nobody had complained about the amount of time her car spent there, but Levi was expecting a notice any day now. They tried to split their time between her apartment and his, but his was closer to her work, not to mention bigger. They kissed briefly before separating, and with a wave, he was driving off.
Levi thought it would be hard to get a job after what happened with the clinic, but surprisingly, he’d had numerous offers once the attention around the case died down. He’d ended up taking a job at a clinic connected to the Royal Brisbane Hospital burn unit. It was a bit of a culture shock after working at his family practice, but he was learning a lot and was so grateful for the opportunity to help people.
As for his family… Jonah was in prison, although he was still appealing. Catherine was also in custody, but Levi didn’t think she would have to serve the entire five-year sentence. He thought—dreaded—that she would be released within the year. His dad had been slapped with a fine. None of them were speaking to him… not that he wanted to speak to them either. Levi had even contemplated legally changing his name to Beck, but it was too much hassle.
Levi walked into his office, and Tessa followed him in. The new clinic had agreed to employ her as well, for which Levi was glad. They had worked together for so long that she understood his quirks, and trying to get used to someone new would be a nightmare.
‘You’ve got a—’ Tessa said, pointing to her cheek.
Levi smiled and wiped Alexis’ lipstick from his cheek. ‘How’s the morning looking?’
‘Another busy one,’ she said, running through his appointments.
But Levi wasn’t listening. The lipstick on his cheek made him think of his morning. The easiness and normality of waking up with Alexis and making coffee and breakfast before leaving together, and making plans for the evening. They just workedtogether. He loved her, there was no doubt about that, but he had always worried love wasn’t enough. There had to be a real relationship along with the romantic feelings. He and Alexis had that… and he didn’t want it to end.
‘Dr Beck?’ Tessa said, as if she had been calling him more than once.
‘I need to ask her to marry me,’ he said. ‘Or at least move in with me.’
‘You mean you haven’t yet?’ Tessa asked, raising her eyebrows.
‘What?’ He blinked at her. He’d forgotten she was in the office.
‘Why haven’t you asked Alexis to move in with you yet?’ Tessa said.
‘I… I don’t know,’ he answered. ‘I think I wanted her to have her freedom… after all the shit with her dad and meeting her mum and… I didn’t want to overwhelm her, I guess.’
Tessa folded her arms. ‘Maybe she wants to be overwhelmed.’
‘What if she says no?’
‘So she says no. It just means she’s not ready yet, but you won’t know until you ask.’
‘Why hasn’t she brought it up before now?’
‘Um, maybe because you like your space, and she doesn’t want to pressure you?’
Was Tessa right?
‘Ask her,’ Tessa said with a sigh. ‘Maybe she’s been waiting for you to be ready.’
Levi sucked in a breath, an idea hitting him. ‘Do I have time this afternoon?’ he asked. ‘I need to go somewhere.’
‘Do not go and buy a ring,’ Tessa said.
He frowned at her. ‘Why not?’
‘Have you even discussed marriage yet?’
Levi shook his head.
‘Then I think that conversation needs to come first. If you want to buy something sparkly, how about a nice keyring with the key to your apartment on it?’
‘She already has a key to my apartment.’
Tessa rolled her eyes. ‘Think of the symbolism. Give her a nice keyring, and formally ask her to move in. Then you can start the conversation about marriage.’
‘Right,’ Levi said, picking up his phone and dialling Elias.
Tessa left him to it, and he prayed Elias wasn’t already in his studio.
‘What?’ his brother barked into the phone.
‘I need a favour,’ Levi said.
Alexis
Sarah handed Alexis a margarita.She’d commandeered the tiny kitchen in Alexis’ apartment to make cocktails and snacks.
‘It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.’
Alexis nodded. ‘I know. I’m sorry. It’s been so busy with the new job, I’ve barely had time to see anyone.’
Sarah plated up some corn chips and guacamole and carried them over to the coffee table. She plonked down with her own margarita and took a large slurp.
‘Have you spoken to your dad recently?’
‘Nope. He refuses to see me, but I’m fine with that. He never showed any remorse for his crimes, and he blames me for his downfall. Which, while it might be technically true, isn’t the full story. The investigators told me they would have eventually had enough evidence to charge him, even if I hadn’t helped. I just sped things along and stopped him doing anything else wrong in the meantime.’
‘You’re so fearless. I love it.’
‘Well, I have a bunch of strong women around me. You, Valentina, and now my mum. I know she left me all those years ago, but I can understand why she did what she did. And all that hardship turned her into someone who will no longer be messed with.’
‘I like that. So, what’s the latest with you and Levi? Still unable to keep your hands off each other?’
Alexis laughed. ‘Not to be too graphic, but yes. That man…’ She fanned her face with her hands. ‘I’ll probably make you puke from the gushiness if I say anything else. What about you? Seeing anyone?’
She frowned. ‘Not right now.’
‘Whatever happened between you and Theo?’
‘Don’t ask.’
‘Why?’
‘He’s a jerk.’
‘What did he do?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it right now.’ She took another large gulp of her drink, making it clear the topic was closed.
‘Okay. But just know I’m here anytime you want to talk.’
‘Thanks, hon.’
There was a knock at the door.
‘You expecting someone?’ Sarah asked.
‘I don’t think so. Levi said he was busy tonight, and Mum is back down in Dorrigo.’
Alexis walked over to the door and looked through the peephole.
‘Oh. I guess he wasn’t busy after all.’
‘You want me to leave?’
‘No, no. If he isn’t going to give me notice of his arrival, he has to accept I might not be on my own.’
She pulled open the door. ‘I thought you weren’t able to visit tonight?’
He beamed. ‘I couldn’t stay away. And I brought you a gift.’
Sarah stood from the couch and picked up her handbag. ‘I’ll go.’
Levi looked over. ‘Oh, hi Sarah. No, please, you don’t have to go on my account. I just wanted to give Alexis this.’
He handed her a gold keyring with a rectangular shape engraved with L + A. The rectangular piece also had what looked like half a heart cut from the side.
Levi held up another one with the cut-out on the other side. ‘Elias made them for me. I know it’s super cheesy, and I wasn’t sure about the heart…’
Alexis leaned forward and kissed him. ‘I love it.’
He chuckled through their kiss before stepping back. ‘Are you sure? I thought you could use it with the key to my apartment. And then maybe one day when you’re comfortable, if you want it to be your only key, I’d be totally fine with that.’
‘Is that a roundabout way of asking Alexis to move in with you?’ Sarah asked.
Alexis turned to face her, almost forgetting she was still there. ‘Sarah!’
‘It is,’ Levi confirmed, grinning. ‘I know our lives have been so crazy, we haven’t really had a chance to stop and catch our breath, but I’d like this to be a potential discussion down the track. Only when you’re ready, of course.’
‘Thank you. I still have a few months left on this place, but I will definitely consider it once the lease is up. Or possibly sooner if I can get someone to take it over.’
‘Aw, I love you guys so much,’ Sarah said, coming over and wrapping an arm over each of their shoulders.
‘We love you too, Sarah,’ Alexis assured her.
‘But I think I will leave now. Have fun, you two lovebirds.’ She squeezed past them and left the apartment, waving as she went. ‘Call me tomorrow, Lex.’
‘Will do.’
Alexis looked down at her keyring. ‘Elias made this?’
‘He’s talented, isn’t he?’
‘He sure is. But I know someone else who is just as talented in his own way. Actually, in multiple ways.’
Levi raised an eyebrow. ‘That sounds dirty.’
‘Take it however you please.’
‘Then I’ll take it as dirty.’
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
‘I love you, Alexis Hall.’
‘I love you too, Dr Beck.’
His eyes twinkled. ‘Are we using formal titles now, Ms Legal Aid Lawyer?’
‘You can call me whatever you like.’
‘Then I’m going to take my lover into the bedroom.’
‘Lead the way.’
He scooped her up and carried her to her room, gently lowering her onto the bed.
After everything she’d been through, Alexis finally felt loved and at ease.
She couldn’t imagine wishing for anything more.
The End