To Be The Last Ch. 06

Willow and Alexia passed Kaleb in the hallway on his way to the bathroom to empty out the dirty water into the tub. When Kaleb joined the two females back in the kitchen, Willow sat on the counter as Alex puttered around in the kitchen.

"I hope you don't mind me using your kitchen. I offered to make some hot chocolate and I'm pretty sure you don't want Willow working the stove." She told Kaleb.

He looked on the counter where she laid out the sugar, Nesquik, and regular milk. "I don't mind. I just feel bad that you helped clean up and now you're making my baby sister some hot chocolate. I'm the host here."

"And I'm an unexpected guest. I can make some hot chocolate for you too. Do you have evaporated milk?"

Kaleb figured it would be easier not to fight with her. "Yes, we have some." He went over to the cabinet and pulled out a couple cans. "I've never had hot chocolate with evaporated milk."

Alexia looked over her at Kaleb as she washed out a big pot. "Then you are missing out. My nanny used to make this for me all the time."

"Nanny? Is that like a babysitter? I have a babysitter when Kaleb has to leave for work. She's really nice." Willow glanced at Kaleb and cupped her hands over her mouth. "She lets me eat candy and sleep late." She whispered to Alexia.

Alexia's mouth curved into a smile. "My nanny let me do that, too." They both giggled. "Now, I'm going to teach you the hot chocolate secret recipe. When you get old enough to use a stove, you should make this. It can get pretty chilly up here in Lakeview. I grew up in Northern Spain and the nights were cold."

"You don't have an accent." Kaleb noted as he handed her a can opener.

Alex placed the partially water-filled pot on the stove and turned the dial. She took the can opener. "Thank you. Well, I used to live in New York up until I was five. My nanny was American and she moved with us between America and Spain. She had a hard time learning Spanish and she couldn't understand the accents so well either, so even though I learned Spanish, I had the most American English accent in all of Santander. I pick up on languages and accents easily. When I'm in England for more than a month, I'll sound like a total Brit." She laughed.

Willow tilted her head. "Kaleb makes me learn French and Tahitian because he says I should know my heritage. I'm adopted."

"Really? Me too!" Alexia said with a big smile over at Willow. "My grandpa adopted me. Not quite the same thing, but close." She handed a measuring cup, a bowl and the chocolate powder to Willow. "You'll be my little helper okay?"

Kaleb watched as the two worked in the kitchen together. Willow had fun measuring the sugar and Nesquik. He was eventually recruited to help pour the milk into the measuring cup Willow held. Alexia told him to watch out for the condensation and although Willow was young, she was sharp. She scolded them for making fun of her.

By the time the hot chocolate finished, Willow hopped around in excitement. Kaleb had to admit that it did smell pretty good. They got out the marshmallows and whipped cream. While Alexia and Willow put a mountain of whipped cream on theirs, Kaleb just opted for a couple marshmallows. Having Alexia around wouldn't be so bad. He hoped.

---

Current day...

Kaleb returned to his rented room in a daze. He didn't expect Alexia to jump at him the moment he entered. Pasting a smile on, he hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.

"I thought you were going to be out shopping all day."

Wrinkling her nose, Alex shook her head. "The heat was killing me. I've grown spoiled up in Oregon. I just talked to Willow. She isn't too fond of camping."

Although Alex only lived in Lakeview for three months, she had quickly acclimated to the cool weather. When she got back from Cabo, she fulfilled her promise of a girls'-day-out with Willow. A week stay turned into two weeks and then three weeks until Willow cried that she didn't want Alexia to leave. The house next to Kaleb's went up for sale and Alex took it as a sign to relocate to Oregon. Honestly, they were at each other's houses so often that it would have been practical to just live in one house.

About a month ago, Kaleb asked Alexia out on a date. Their dates usually involved Willow since the little girl had a knack for inviting herself along, but on the several occasions Kaleb and Alexia were alone, they found that they really clicked. Alex asked to go along with Kaleb to Las Vegas for the long weekend while Willow went on a school trip. They both knew that Alexia's decision to follow Kaleb meant she was ready to take their relationship to the next level.

With a small laugh, Kaleb made his way over to the desk. He dropped his briefcase and then took a seat. Alex immediately perched herself on his lap and looped her arms around his neck.

"So, how did the meeting go? You look exhausted." Alexia frowned.

Kaleb didn't want to tell Alexia about Blake. He wasn't positive that he wouldn't lose her. "It went pretty well. I think I can find this guy Mr. Greene is looking for."

"Isn't this more bounty hunting than you're used to?"

A sigh. "Just a bit. Really, I'm just doing some digging and Mr. Greene will send someone to deal with the perp."

"Perp?" Alex repeated, on the verge of giggles.

Kaleb raised a brow and rested his hands on her hips. "What's wrong with saying perp?"

Shaking her head, Alex dropped her voice to playful seductiveness. "Oh nothing. I like when you get all PI lingo on me."

"Well, I am more than happy to oblige, ma'am." Kaleb grinned before he pulled Alexia closer and kissed her softly on the lips.

Alexia purred as she wiggled in Kaleb's lap. They had gotten into heavy petting before and went just a bit farther a few days ago. She hoped that they could go all the way on this trip.

Their kiss grew deeper. Kaleb cupped Alex's cheek with one hand, her front pressed to his chest. He swallowed her sigh when his other hand slipped under her shirt to skim over her smooth skin. When he broke the kiss, Alexia's lips were wet and kiss swollen.

"Want to order room service?" She whispered, her fingers gently pulling the hair at the nape of his neck.

Kaleb knew what that meant and damn did he want to. He really hated himself for being such a good guy. "Alex," Kaleb began, "there's something I have to tell you."

By Kaleb's long exhale, Alexia knew the news bothered him. "Alright. What's wrong?"

The concern on her face squeezed at Kaleb's heart. "What are your feelings towards Blake?"

"I'm not sure what you mean." Alexia's brows drew together in confusion. "It's been three years since I lost him. I think I've finally laid the past to rest though. I wouldn't have agreed to go out on a date if I was still mourning him." She and Kaleb had spent many late nights talking about the hardships of their pasts.

Kaleb felt little relief. "If it turned out that Blake is still alive...would you go back to him?"

"I-" She paused and decided to be honest. "I don't know."

"Am I the reason for your indecision?"

Frustration started to build. "Yes...no, I don't know. I'm involved with you and Willow now. Who is to say if Blake was still alive that he'd be the same person I knew from three years ago? Kaleb, I don't understand why you're asking me this. What happened today?"

He forced the words out. "Blake isn't dead, Alexia. I bumped into him today at Peter Greene's office. He thought you were the one dead this whole time."

A pained cry ripped itself from her throat. She covered her hands over her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. She didn't doubt Kaleb's words and she already knew who was responsible.

---

Clara got off the phone and put her hands on her hips. She looked over at her husband as he gave her a blank expression. With narrowed eyes, she stood in front of him.

"That was Alexia. She's distraught at what you did."

He kept his expression blasé. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean. She's always upset at me for something or another."

In the twelve years they had been married, Clara knew how to read her husband. "Don't you dare start with that, Matt."

With a shake of his head, Matthew motioned over at the chair across of him. His gorgeous wife took a seat and crossed her arms over her chest. He really did love Clara. Since the first day they met twelve years ago, he knew she was the one. He asked her out although it was against all protocols and they eloped three weeks later.

Unfortunately, business made it so they had to keep their marriage a secret. When Clara went on her scheduled vacations, Matt would conveniently be gone as well. It was a surprise no one figured it out before. Seeing as Clara's decision to retire next month would allow them to be more open with their relationship, Matt didn't bother with being discreet anymore.

Matt reached over for Clara's hand and she reluctantly let him press his lips to the back of her fingers. "I don't know what she's mad about this time. Honest." Although Alex had been trying to call him for the past hour, he was on vacation with his wife damn it. They hardly saw each other through the year and Hell if he was going to get dragged back to work.

"Kaleb met Blake by accident and Alexia knows." Clara said. "I can't believe you didn't tell me Blake is alive."

Great. Now he had a wife a pissed off at him because he not only withheld information from her, but also hurt her best friend. He didn't even want to think about how furious Alexia would be. "I knew I should have killed the bastard when I had the chance."

Pulling her hand from his, Clara smacked him hard. "Don't even go there. Why?"

"When Alexia was in the hospital, Dane swore that he wasn't letting Blake near her again. We both agreed that those two were too dangerous together. It was either kill Blake or make him go away. I told Blake that Alex and the baby were dead so he didn't try to look for them. Then I told Alexia that we found Blake's body. If she knew he was still alive, she would have spent her entire life looking for him."

Clara locked gazes with Matthew. "If two people are meant to be together, the universe will find a way to get them to each other. You and Dane think you can play gods over people's lives. When Gabriel died, Alex needed someone. She needed Blake. And now it's heartache all over again."

"That was not our intention. How were we supposed to know they'd find out about the other?" He held his hand up quickly to stop Clara. "Yes, I know. Fate set in motion." His wife always was the closet romantic. "What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing!" She exclaimed. "Don't do anything. If Blake and Alexia get back together, leave them alone."

Matthew reached for his cell to make a call. "I'll try to reason with Dane, but I can't make any guarantees." He dialed the number and waited. "Where do we stand?" He asked Clara.

Her reply told him exactly where he'd be spending the night. "The couch doesn't look too uncomfortable."

---

Peter saw how distracted Blake was and told him to take a couple days off. Since Blake never took vacation or had a sick day, Peter wouldn't fuss over it. And Blake didn't argue. No questions, just the way Blake preferred. Even the usually nosy and opinionated Gutierrez kept his mouth shut.

The drive home blurred into the space between the discovery of Alexia being alive and him staring at the picture of her he kept in his home office. Mixed feelings churned in his chest. At one point, it felt difficult to breathe.

His cell buzzing on the counter caught his attention. A new text. Flipping the phone open, a pang of shame assaulted him when he realized it came from Piper.

Waiting for my connecting flight. Hope you had a good day at work. See you in a few days. J

Blake's hand closed around his phone tightly. He inhaled deeply before typing out a text to Piper. No sooner did he type out the text that he deleted it and called her instead.

Her cheerful answer added to his growing guilt. "Hey, Blake. I wasn't expecting for you to return my text with a call. What's up?"

"Piper, we need to talk about last night and I don't think it can wait until you're back."

Blake could hear all the background noise, but Piper remained quiet for a few moments.

"Okay. What about last night did you want to talk about?" She finally spoke.

He really didn't want to hurt her. "You know there can't be anything between us right?"

"Blake...we agreed that I'd only take what you're willing to give." Her attempt at nonchalance didn't fool either of them.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you, but there isn't and won't ever be anything more than friendship between us, Piper. What happened last night won't happen again."

He heard the way her voice hitched when she replied. "I completely understand." She was quiet again and Blake wanted her to be the first to hang up. "Is it because of her? Alexia?"

Blake owed her the truth. "Yes. I found out today that she's alive. I'm sorry-"

Piper interrupted. "Oh please don't apologize, Blake. You love her and you'll always love her. If anything, I should think that's romantic."

"Piper," He said softly, "you'll find someone for you one day."

Her throat hurt from keeping herself from crying. "I hope someday soon before I lose my looks. Otherwise, there'd be no hope in me snagging a guy."

Blake's shame intensified at Piper's effort to cheer him up. "That's not true. You're a wonderful woman, Piper Amanda Greene. Any man would be lucky to have you."

"But not you." She whispered. "I don't think I'll be seeing you in a few days after all. Goodbye, Blake."

"Goodbye, Piper."

After she hung up, Blake carefully placed his cell phone down. A pounding headache developed in that eight-minute conversation. Although still early in the evening, Blake popped a couple of Motrin pills and lay awake in bed until he at last fell asleep the next morning.

---

Alexia wished she had more time. Since they promised Willow they would pick her up from school the next day, tonight was the only chance she had to meet with Blake. Kaleb set up the arrangements as Alexia didn't trust herself talking to Blake just yet. While Kaleb spoke to Blake, she made the reservations at Pinot Brasserie for a table in the corner.

After they got dressed, they decided to walk down the strip to the restaurant. When they reached the entrance of the place, Kaleb stopped walking. Alexia looked up and knew why he stood there.

"I should let the both of you have some privacy." Kaleb forced a smile. "You look beautiful, as usual."

Alex's brows drew together as she thought of what to say. "Kaleb, I don't know what will happen tonight-"

"It's okay, Alexia." He cut in. "I'll see you in a bit."

They both heard the uncertainty in his voice. Alexia wasn't so sure herself, but she nodded. "Yes. I'll see you in a little bit."

An awkwardly silent moment passed before Alexia turned and went into the restaurant and asked for her table. She glanced behind and saw Kaleb still standing there. He gave her a reassuring smile and waved before he took a step back.

"Ms. Whitt, I have you down for a reservation of three. We have someone from your party already seated."

Alexia's attention immediately went back to the hostess. "There will only be two of us dining tonight." She found herself replying. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as the hostess motioned over for one of the waiters to show Alexia to her table.

Skin prickling in awareness, Alexia followed the waiter to a shadowed corner. Someone stood as she approached. Her palms felt damp as the man went around the table to pull her seat back for her.

Stopping in front of Blake, Alexia found herself gazing up into those beautiful green eyes that haunted her in the years passed. Memories flooded back and her eyes began to itch.

"Blake." She whispered.

He looked so familiar and yet not. There were more lines on his face. He didn't look as easy going as he had three years ago. His eyes held a hint of hardness. Still...she remembered those eyes filled with so much tenderness and intensity.

"Ça fait un moment. Tu m'as manqué." Blake saw a mix of emotions cross her face. She looked well, albeit smaller than he remembered.

"It has been awhile." She agreed. "I've missed you, too." After taking her seat and receiving a menu from the waiter, they were left alone.

Reaching across the table, Blake took her hand. She was still as warm as he remembered, still as lovely. Her chocolate eyes softened and she squeezed his hand.

"There is much to talk about. Je ne sais pas where to start." His accent thick, emotion filled.

"Then I'll start." Alexia inhaled a shaky breath. "When you left...Richardson found me. I was there alone. I threw a fit about going with Matthew to the airport to pick up my grandfather. Richardson grabbed me and thought you were hiding somewhere. Kaleb returned and we all got into a fight." She paused. "I was stabbed in the stomach. The doctors say I can't have children. I was so stupid, Blake. It's my fault Gabriel died."

Blake shook his head. "No, Alexia. That is not your fault. Richardson would have killed you either way. I should have been there. I went to empty one of my accounts. I thought we could elope."

Another waiter returned to their table to ask if they wanted anything to drink. Alexia let Blake pick out a wine and they returned to their conversation.

"Matthew told me you were killed."

"Matthew told me you and Gabriel were killed." Blake gave a humorless smile.

Her fingers tightened around Blake's. "And that is the story of what happened. What have you been up to?"

"I made my way to Las Vegas on a lead for one of Richardson's partners. I needed a job and I got one bounty hunting for Peter Greene. I've been looking for Theodore Mills and Nguyen Le." Richardson's other partners had already been caught.

"Blake," Alexia began, "none of Richardson's partners are alive. My grandfather made sure of that." Usually her grandfather gathered enough information on people to get them convicted for multiple life sentences, but not this time.

Blake shook his head. "No, Mills and Nguyen are still out there. I've been following trails..." Then it clicked. "I've been getting false leads." It made sense that Dane would blame Blake for everything that happened. He'd probably have Blake chasing false leads for the rest of his life. And here Blake thought that not touching any of his other accounts kept Dane from finding him.

"It must have been my grandfather and Matthew." Alexia confirmed Blake's thoughts. "I'm so sorry. Had I known you were alive-"

"I know, Alexia. Me too."

The waiter was back again with their wine. Releasing each other's hand, Alexia and Blake pulled back to their sides of the table as the waiter poured the wine. Looking between the two, the waiter asked if they were ready to order. Neither had an appetite, but they ordered their dishes so the waiter would leave.

"What about you, Alexia?" Questions swamped his brain. He wanted to know everything. His anger at Dane and Matthew was barely held in check. He thought of Alexia waking up alone in the hospital to be told that Gabriel was dead. Blake should have been there to comfort Alexia. But then she was told that he died as well.

"My grandfather had me move back to London. I never left the house for months. I didn't want to be part of the world anymore. He sent me to live in the country where yours and Gabriel's graves were at. It's a bit morbid to think of your grave when you're sitting in front of me. Being there helped me. Healed me. I spent hours out at the graves and then I went traveling to all the places listed in your portfolio." Alexia admitted. "It made me feel closer to you like I understood you better."