Stay tuned...
Miguel got out of the car to open the door for me and when I saw the cafe... I couldn't believe my eyes. The cafe was open and clearly busy, with people coming out and going in simultaneously."What?... How is this possible?" I ask as Domenic offers me his hand to support myself."I reopened it for you. This was once your dream, and I want to be the man who makes your dreams come true. Want to go inside?" He asks as I stare at the door while the open sign moves left and right because of the wind."Yeah...Yes. Let's go in." I say, still stunned by the surprise as Domenic helps me walk.I enter the threshold and observe the chatter of the people buzzing all over the place as the familiar smell of freshly ground coffee fills my nostrils. "God how I missed this place." Everything was back to how I had left it, the books, the freshly replastered couch, the flowers Domenic originally filled the place. I look up to the second story of the cafe balcony when I hear a familiar voice."Autumn?"
Two months laterNew York, Davis Jones estate"I can't get over how beautiful everything looks. The gardens are spectacular, your dad and Rachel really did a great job organizing everything. He went all out." Truth to be told. there isn't anything Gregory wouldn't do for Pure."I still find it a bit odd, you know...seeing my Dad flirt with your Aunt." Summer says. "Not that there is anything wrong with it, I want him to be happy but it's still strange to look at." Yeah, that was rather unexpected, to say the least, but both of them look happy, and if they found companionship in one another who are we to rain on their parade?"At least the press will have something other to write about that isn't Domenic and me." After all that scandal broke out Domenics and Gregory's legal team did all the work to present proof that this was nothing but a revenge plot from Jacob, we gave a statement that nothing written was true and went on to live our lives in the normal matter. "Yeah. Two months lat
Domenic kisses me so profoundly I almost lose all of my breath, but I don't care. It would be a lovely way to go.He lifts himself up and takes off his shirt as I do with mine before he goes to tuck on my skirt."You have to unzip it," I say as I do it myself and lift my hip to allow him to pull it down. He steps off the bed for a moment and takes off my heels as well. Domenic holds my foot in the air and kisses the outside of it as he works his way up. Coming to a stop on my thigh where now I had a scar from when the bullet grazed me. Tracing it with his fingure until he reaches the waistband of my blue underwire and I again lift my hips making it easier for him to get rid of them.I sit up and work on his belt as he gathers all of my hair into his fist and pulls back, making me stare into his eyes as his other hand traces from my breasts to my neck, gently touching my chin until his grip tightens on my cheeks."Tell me your mine." He demands."I'm yours." The words leave my lips almo
I lean back in my chair and sip on my wine as I observe the chatter happening around the dining table. I love the noise, and how everybody seems to be talking to everybody, engaging in every topic, and somehow everything ends with some kind of an anecdote. Thinking back to all those diners I had alone in my apartments, with a bitter wine and a good book wishing I would be a part of something more, and right now I was sitting in the middle of it. Family, one I found in the most unexpected way. My family by blood and my family by choice. All together."What about you, Autumn?" Aunt Eloise asks bringing me out of my thoughts."I'm sorry?" I say as I bring my glass back to the table."Do you plan on returning to work or will you enjoy the riches you now possess?" Work? I always wanted to work. But never have I had a family, a child to raise. And with Domenic back in the office there really isn't any good reason for me to work as well. "Is it wrong that I want to stay at home?" I ask. "No
"I can't believe you are running late. The photographer is waiting to take the pictures." Summer quietly yelled at us as I was finishing putting a little white bow on Prue's head while throwing a glare at Domenic because it was his fault we didn't get up in time."It will only take a few more minutes. Prue is done and she is absolutely perfect, the only thing left is for me to put my shoes on." I say as I give Prue to Domenic and rush to get my shoes from the box."Why don't you go ahead Summer and wait for us downstairs?" Domenic suggests."Not a chance. If I leave you alone you just might hop onto Autumn and Joshua just did her hair. You guys are worse than rabbits." I wouldn't say that, Domenic is just very determined to make up for the lost time. And I can't say no. Why would I say no?""She's got a point, especially after what I heard last night." Alex says as she peeks ahead into our room. "You know, I've read and heard a lot of women calling out for God while doing the deed but
Months before… Alex's POVThere is only one thing I like about my uncle's house more than the one I grew up at and that is the sound of the Hamptons ocean waves and the smell of the salty water in the air. That's why I like getting up early and sitting on the balcony before the everyday buzz of the people disturbs the rhythmic sound of the waves hitting the sandy beach. Well maybe that wasn't the only thing I liked, the fact that Adam lived near and worked closely with Uncle Richard was a good bonus. It meant that I got to see him more.Adam, Sasha, and I grew up together, but as we got older I passed on to be his best friend's sister and he became my brother's best friend. Not that they excluded me or anything, it's just that when you get older life happens but now that I live here I see him practically every day."Here is your coffee, my dear." Mrs.Hendrics says as she opens the balcony door and hands me the cup."Thank you." Mrs.Hendrics has worked for the family for as long as I c
Everyone in the dining room pauses and drops their forks as we stare at my uncle in disbelief. A daughter? Did I hear that right? Did we hear that right? Apparently so because we all have the same surprised look on our faces. "Richard, what are you saying?" Mom asks as she recovers from the shock. "I'm saying I have a twenty-nine-year-old daughter named Autumn living somewhere in New York. And I need to find her." That is more than half of his life, how come he is only finding this out now? "It's Caroline's daughter, isn't it? There couldn't be anyone else." Mom says and Uncle Richard nods his head. "Who is Caroline?" The words roll off my tongue before I can stop myself. But I never knew this family to keep secrets from one another and curiosity is more than natural."Alex, that is a private matter that doesn't concern you," Mom says but Uncle Richard lifts his hand in the air for her to settle down. "It's alright Eloise, our parents are no longer with us. No one can stop us fr
I go back to my room and throw myself onto the bed as I scream into my pillow. If only I had the courage to tell him how I feel about him. If only I knew there was a chance of him feeling the same. But I can't risk losing him as a friend, and I can't put in jeopardy the friendship he has with Sasha or the relationship between the two families for something that might not work out in the end.If only loving him wasn't this easy. But there is not one thing not to love about him. Adam is sweet, kind, smart, generous, responsible, and loyal... he's always ready to step in and help, just like he is doing right now. The fact that I won't be able to see him for days makes me so sad, that he isn't just casually gonna come bring some papers for Uncle Richard to sign, or that he won't play golf with Sasha or tennis with me while my mother asks him questions like "When are you going to bring us a girlfriend?". If only she knew how much I dread his answer. Some days I wonder how much longer I wil
Sasha lets him fall into one of our Victorian chairs while Adam and I stand in front of him like parents who are about to scoll their child. But this talk was very necessary, for the sake of our sibling bond and their friendship.I glance at Adam, silently asking him if he’s ready for this. His calm smile reassures me. He’s been patient, waiting for this moment to happen, but I know it’s not easy for him either."Sasha," I start, my voice steady but firm, "we need to have a real talk about all this because Adam isn’t some phase or fling. He’s serious, and I am too. And I need you to accept that. Not just for me, but for us...all of us.""So, let me get this straight," he says, finally breaking the silence, his voice low. "You two have been sneaking around behind my back, hiding this whole thing, and now suddenly I’m supposed to just accept it? What was all that about, huh?"Adam shifts next to me, his hand resting lightly on my back, but I can feel the muscles in his shoulders tense up
...That night... "...so now we are not only friends and brothers-in-law but I had the privilege of being his best man. What he and Autumn have is special, anyone can see that, and all I can say is that I wish them both happiness. Also Autumn I'd like to ask your permission to take him out this Friday to play ball." Anthony jokes as he finishes his best man speech. I once heard of a so-called bromance Domenic and Anthony had pretty much ever since they met each other. Summer said she found it endearing. "As long as Summer gave you permission to go." Autumn hits Anthony with a comeback. "But Friday is a no-go, we have a Lamaze class," Autumn says as she touches Domenic's shoulder. "But you are free to join us," She added to which I started connecting the dots. Why Summer looked somewhat green on her face, why she didn't eat and why would she go to a Lamaze class... "That's a great idea." Summer says and Anthony looks at her strangely. "Why would we go to a Lamaze class?" He asks an
Alex's POV I woke up with a smile on my face as the light of the day shined over my face. Despite the cold, I wrapped myself into a blanket and sat in the corner of my balcony, breathing in the familiar salty ocean air. I used to sit here and watch over the driveway, waiting for Adam's car to drive in, and while everything seemed the same, everything had changed. Now, we were together, dreaming about a future and enjoying the present. A day I once dreaded would never come was now here and the happines set in my chest could be painted in a million colours. I smiled to myself, thinking about how far I’d come. How we had come. With Adam, I had learned to be whole. I closed my eyes, letting the wind brush across my face, and took a deep breath. The salty air mixed with the faint scent of coffee surrounded me too and I suddenly opened my eyes to meet Mrs.Henrdics standing at the balcony door with coffee in hand. "Good morning." She says as she walks over to me and hands me to warm cup.
"How is Autumn?" Eloise asks us as soon as we walk in leaving her cup of tea on the living room table."She is alright, as is the baby. They are gonna keep her overnight. Domenic stayed behind but I think Richard and Sasha will go home soon." I say as her eyes travel to the spot where Alex and I are holding hands when my mother comes to stand by Eloise. The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know."So... the two of you..." Eloise gestures between Alex and me. "How long has this been going on?" She asks."A while now," Alex says. "And before you start, it was my idea to keep it a secret. I didn't want our families involved before we were sure of where this was going." "I think that was very sensible of you." My mother says as she joins the conversation. "So now that you are sharing the news does it mean it's official?" "But they didn't share the news, they were discovered in a secret. There is a clear distinction." Eloise says.Alex laughs softly at Eloise’s comment, squ
"How is she? Can I see her?" Domenic asks as he jumps to get to him before everyone else. "Miss Cromwell is fine, she and the baby girl are stable. Her blood pressure went up which caused her to faint. I'm going to recommend bed rest until the baby gets here to avoid any possible complications." The doctor says and one could see and feel the worry melt off of our backs. "Did you talk to her? Did she remember anything? Is that why she had the crisis?" Richard asked as I stepped back and took Alex to my side wrapping my hand around her, keeping her close. Perhaps it wasn't the right moment but being able to hold her in public gave me a sense of power I never had before. "We talked for a brief moment and she described to me what happened, all the excitement of the wedding and the events that happened after took a toll on her, but she remains not remembering the past." We listen as the doctor talks and Alex smiles. We didn't care about the memories so much anymore. Autumn was alright
"What happened?" Richard yells as he runs to Autumn's side, almost crushing down at the site of her unconscious body in Domenic's hands. "I'm so sorry... I didn't think..." Rachel said as she watched what her words caused. "What did you do?" Richard asks her with fury in his eyes but Rachel only stares at Autumn in shock while Leo does the best he can to hold on to her. "Help is on its way!" Alex yells as she comes back and sticks to my side. Her hands are cold as they slip into mine. I wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from the situation that was in front of us with both Autumn and Sasha. "Dont wait. Get her in the car and drive to the hospital. I'll go with you and make sure they take good care of her." My dad says as he helps Richard stand up and move away from Autumn. Domenic lifts her in the air, and her veil falls down onto the floor. The sight was heartbreaking, this day turned out to be everything but perfect. First Alice, now this. I just hope it doesn't get any wo
Miguel jumps at Alice, grabbing her hand while the other guy manages to take the gun from her, ultimately pinning her to the ground when Alex pulls me back as the rest of the family gets up and gathers up at the front. “Let go of me, I'm not done yet!” Alice yells as she struggles to free herself but to no use as Miguel ties her hand to her back. “It's over Alice, it's finally over. You won't be able to hurt us ever again.” Domenic says as he presses Autumn to his side while Miguel lifts Alice, her hands pinned at her back. “Take her to the security room and call the police. She won't escape this time, not on my watch.” Richard says while rubbing Autumn's shoulder, trying to make sure she is ok. She look pale, shook but somewhat alright. She held onto Domenic the same way Alex didn't let go of my hand all this time. “He is lying to you, everyone is…” Alice says but Miguel drags her away. She was trying to do damage to the last second she could use. So much haterade in such a s
I always found weddings to be beautiful, yet this one was special. This was about my friend, someone who I knew would always be in my life, but I somehow knew that from the day I met her. Now sitting here, watching the smile on her face as she stared at the face of her loved one, the man she chose yet again despite every odd, despite not knowing the past. A path she chose solely based on what she felt within herself, and that was love. I had my doubts about it, I had my doubts about Domenic... the things I knew about their past, the things I didn't share with anyone else, not Alex, not Richard... I saw the regret in his eyes, I saw the pain but I also saw the love... and I wish them happiness. The same one I wished for myself and the woman who was sitting next to me right now. My love. My Alex. Today wasn't just the start of a new life for Autumn, this was also the day that meant something big for Alex and me. This was the day we would finally stop hiding. The day everyone would final
"Adam, where the hell were you? We are going to be late and you still haven't changed." Mom yells at me as soon as I step through the door. "I had some business to take care of. Dont worry I'll be ready in time." "Business, on a day like this one." Mom asks, her nad on her hip and eyebrow raised scepticly. "You look great by the way, where is Dad? You should go check he doesn't get something on his suit before we have to leave... I'll go shower now, bye." I manage to ramble up and run upstairs to get ready. Luck had it that Rosie had already got my clothes ready and waiting for me on the bed so I showered, got my hair ready, and got dressed just as a text came for me letting me know Derek was booked and taken care of. One more reason to party. ... "See, there was no reason for all that rushing. I had plenty of time to finish my meal." Dad said as we got out of the car at the Cromwell mention. It’s the perfect place for a wedding...grand, romantic, and more than enough to make an