Touched by a Phoenix (43 page)

Alexis took Catherine’s hands as she said softly, “Mom, I know you want tradition and I appreciate your sentiments but I will not budge on this. I have never hidden anything from Brad and I will not start now. He is my life, we began it with nothing between us, and our wedding day will be no different.”

Catherine’s face eased, “All right my dear if that is what makes you happy.”

“Thank you,” Alexis whispered as she turned to the mirror for one more look before having to take the dress off.

The sales associate said, “Here you go Miss Saunders.” She handed Alexis the dress. “We wish you the very best of luck on your wedding day.”

“Thank you,” Alexis said as she took the dress.

As they walked to the car, Alexis asked, “Mom, will you keep the dress at your house until the wedding?”

“Of course my dear, but why?”

Alexis laughed robustly, “What do you think will happen if I take the dress home?”

“Ah yes, that curious fiancé of yours.” Catherine’s smiled betrayed her, she had grown to love Brad as her own, but he was such a mischievous little devil!

Alexis checked the weather one last time. Oh my goodness, light snow!
Ooh,
this was simply working out way too perfectly, Alexis thought. Her and Brad in a rustic log cabin…complete with real wood burning fireplaces…a Jacuzzi…and now…snow. She was glad she had packed the crossover; his little sports car would not do well in the snow…and she did want to get home.

IM: Alexandria Saunders - Conversation:

Saunders, Alexandria:
11:51AM

>
Sweetheart, are you about ready?

Scott, Bradley:
11:53AM

>
Yes darling, give me five minute.

Saunders, Alexandria:
11:54AM

>
I’ll come to you!

Scott, Bradley:
11:56AM

>
Darling, are you in a hurry?

Saunders, Alexandria:
11:57AM

>
Yes :o)

Scott, Bradley:
11:59AM

>
Are you going to tell me where we are going?

Saunders, Alexandria:
12:01PM

>
No…see you in five!

Scott, Bradley:
12:02PM

>
K…love you.

Saunders, Alexandria:
12:04PM

>
I love you too!

“Are you going to tell me where we are going now?” Brad asked as he started the car.

“No, it’s a surprise,” Alexis quipped, smiling sweetly at him.

“My dear, how am I supposed drive if you won’t tell me where we are going?”

“I have programmed the directions in the GPS. All you have to do is follow them,” she crooned. She knew he was fishing and yes, she was intentionally being coy.

They drove northwest for about an hour before hitting I-95N. Once there, the highway began to open up a little. The music played softly in the background and she began to relax.

“Are you ready for the demonstrations next week?” she asked.

“Yes, I think so. We’ve tested under every condition that I can think of and everything went well. But you know how it goes…if something is going to go wrong; it will wait until next week…in front of all the brass.”

“You sound a little nervous.”

“A little, I guess. I’d feel better if I hadn’t sent Stephen home.”

“You did what?” she exclaimed.

“Yes, he’s leaving Sunday afternoon.”

“Why, Brad?”

“Nate needs his help to finish some work on another project so Nate can focus on the final phase,” he answered simply.

“But he and Jessica….”

“I know, darling.…”

She interrupted him, “Brad, they are in love, how could you?”

“I promised Stephen that as soon as the project was complete, I would find a way to get him back to Washington.”

She reached over and took his hand, bringing it to her lips for a kiss. “You are such a sap…I love you.”

That kind of talk made him uncomfortable. He had never been a sap until he met Alexis. She had turned his world upside down. He glanced over at his beautiful fiancée. He wouldn’t change a thing. Yes, he was a different person because of her love.

“How are the wedding plans coming along? Will everything be ready for next weekend?”
Wow
,…nine days and they would be married.

“
Mmm…
yes,” she cooed, a warm smile spreading across her face, “everything is ready except for the final fitting for your tux.”

“On Monday…right?”

“Yes…and don’t forget he’s coming to you. He will be at the office at 7:00 AM.”

“Alexis, what about the executive meeting?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve cleared the appointment with Dad. This is far more important and you will need to leave by eight thirty if you hope to arrive at Andrews’s on time.”

“Speaking of final fittings…where is your dress?”

“I had Mom take it home with her.”

“Why?” he exclaimed, “I wanted to see it.”

“Brad Scott…it is bad luck to see the dress before the wedding.”

“No, it is bad luck to see the bride on her wedding day. That has nothing to do with seeing your dress,” he teased.

Alexis was so serious and stern when she spoke, “Brad, I’m not taking any chances. You will not see my dress before the wedding.”

“But darling…,” he pouted.

“No sir, you might as well stop. Pouting will do you no-good this time,” her tone unyielding.

“Fine…,” he grumbled playfully.

Alexis held his hand in silence for a while as they drove through Delaware and into Pennsylvania following the river. She knew exiting west would through him for a loop and she needed a distraction.

“Brad, where are we going on our honeymoon?” she asked innocently.

“It is a surprise my sweet angel,” as he grinned devilishly. If he used her tactics perhaps, he could convince her to tell him where they were going.

“Brad, that’s not fair. How am I supposed to know what to pack?” she pressed impishly.

“Darling,” his grin enlarging, “you will not need clothes on our honeymoon.”

Alexis playfully smacked his hand. “Bradley Scott,” she tried to sound stern but it wasn’t working.

He smiled at her frivolity. This was shaping up to be a wonderful weekend. “I’ll tell you if you will tell me,” he grinned.

“No way, Mr. Scott. This is your birthday surprise and I’m not telling. You will find out when we arrive.”

“Well then…you will find out where we are going on our honeymoon when we get there.”

“Brad,” she pouted.

“No way, my sweet little angel—fair is fair.”

“Fine, will you tell me after we get to where we’re going today?”

“Nope!”

“Why not?” she exclaimed in horror.

“Because I won’t have to.” His little devil was jumping up and down on his shoulder.

“That’s not fair,” she whispered, “you would really spoil your surprise just to torment me.”

The look on her face did him in. In no uncertain terms and with a single look, she told him he was pushing the envelope.

His little angel was shaking his head, “Tsk-tsk; you should be ashamed of yourself for wanting to spoil her surprise.”

“All right, my darling.” He sighed with resignation, “If you insist.”

Alexis brightened instantly, eager to know where they would begin their life as husband and wife. Emotion suddenly hit her. They would be husband and wife in just a few short days. She gazed at Brad with an overwhelming look of love filling her eyes. Tears of joy and happiness welled in her eyes, as she said softly.

“Do you realize in just over a week…I will be your wife?”

He squeezed her hand gently. “Yes, I do.”

“I can’t wait,” she whispered softly as she leaned over to kiss him lovingly on his cheek.

“Do you still want to know where we are honeymooning?” he asked.

“Yes….”

“We are going to the Gili Lankanfushi in Maldives.”

Her brows furrowed as she tried to remember her geography lessons. Her eyes flew open with the overwhelming realization. “Brad that’s in the Indian Ocean,” she exclaimed.

“Yes darling, it is.”

“Oh my gosh! How long will it take us to get there?”

“You sound disappointed,” he stated, trepidation creeping across his face.

“Oh no, sweetheart. I think it sounds exquisite and I’m sure I will love it…thank you.”

“For what….”

“For thinking of such a magnificent place for our honeymoon.”

His soft laughter filled the car, “Darling, you haven’t even heard the details yet.”

“Sweetheart, I have no doubt we will have the perfect honeymoon.” She squirmed in the seat to give him a wonderful kiss.

“There’s a box under your seat with our airline tickets and brochures. I was going to give it to you this weekend, but if you want, you may have it now.” His heart jumped, he was thrilled with her enthusiasm.

She leaned forward and began to search for the box. It didn’t take her long to pull a beautifully wrapped box from under the seat. She did not hesitate to rip the bow and paper off. Her eyes grew large as she sifted through the package.

“Brad…,” she said in a hushed whisper.

“What?” he had a huge grin on his face.

“This is amazing, but you didn’t have to do this,” she exclaimed in astonishment.

“Would you like me to cancel?” he asked.

“Oh no, it’s breathtaking, but I would have been happy anywhere with you.”

“I know, but we’re only going to get married once,” he smiled at his beloved fiancée.

With a wicked little smile, she said, “Remind me to thank you properly later….”

“You could always thank me now,” he offered with a devilish little grin on his face.

“Brad, you’re driving!”

“So…I’ll pay attention to the road and you pay attention to me.”

Alexis could not believe what she was hearing. Did she dare? The afternoon traffic had picked up. What if he wrecked?

“If you pull over, I will thank you now.” It was his birthday weekend after all!

He glanced over at her wicked little smile, “My God, you are serious aren’t you? I was just teasing.”

Her sultry eyes blazed, “I’m not.”

Brad took a deep shuddering breath and found the next available exit. He pulled over and she proceeded to thank him quite graciously.

As they got back on the road, “I don’t believe you just did that,” he said in an awe-inspiring tone.

Within moments, the mileage sign came into view. “Alexis…what have you done?”

“Nothing, love. Why do you ask?”

“We’re headed straight for the Pocono’s,” in the most delicious tone. Good Lord, it was just a birthday. She knew precisely how to drive him crazy. No, beyond crazy. His mind raced. Mountains. Fire. Snow. And the woman he loved. He was sure it would be a memorable weekend.

“Really, I didn’t realize…,” she said evasively.

“My darling, is that where we are going?” His face softened at her thoughtfulness.

Oh, she simply could not resist his look. “Yes, sweetheart.”

“Alexis, you are far too good to me,” his voice reflecting his love for the redhead beside him.

Chapter Eighteen

T
he snow began
to fall. The snowcapped mountaintop was breathtaking.

Brad continued to drive as instructed, looking over at Alexis from time to time. The sereneness on her face reminded him that she was in her element and at peace with the world.

His thoughts drifted—would she have the same look next weekend…on their wedding day? Oh, he was sure she would be just as beautiful as she was today. He wondered if she could possibly be any more beautiful in his eyes. He thought she might be a little more radiant, glowing, and perhaps surreal in the moment. He was sure that neither the sun nor the stars would come close to matching her beauty.

He pulled into the long drive. The log cabin sat on the side of a ridge overlooking a lake. The combination of wood and stone created a magnificent setting. The hair on the back of his neck rose as the full sight came into view—where nature became one with the universe. Smoke billowed from the chimney and the smell of snow was in the air. It washed away any thoughts of home or work. This would be their last weekend as individuals.

He parked the car and popped the hatch to grab their bags. Alexis came around the back to help. His voice soft and tender, he said, “Thank you darling.”

He cloaked her in his loving arms and showered her lips with sweet kisses. Reluctantly, he let her go and grabbed the bags as they headed indoors. A lovely couple met them as they walked up the front steps.

“Good afternoon, Miss Saunders,” the older woman greeted in a thick French accent, “This is my husband, Jacques.”

Alexis smiled warmly, “Good afternoon, Natasha. Please call me Alexandria. This is my fiancé, Brad,” she stated proudly.

“
Aah,
the birthday boy,” Natasha observed.

Brad grinned and flushed just a bit. He was not use to people making such a fuss about something as simple as a birthday. He greeted both Natasha and Jacques.

As they entered the great room, a warm fire roared in the massive stone fireplace. The living room ceiling was at least thirty feet tall with huge wood trusses. Floor-to-ceiling windows spanned the entire back of the house overlooking the valley. The view drew him in, it was spectacular. Centered in front of the windows was a baby grand piano. Perhaps he would play for her this weekend.

Alexis slipped her hand into his. That was not nearly close enough. He engulfed her into his arms, holding her close in an attempt to hold onto this moment forever. They stood wrapped in each other’s arms as they peered out over the valley below.

The view reminded him of the Swiss Chateau’s his parents took him and Monica to for Christmas. It had been a longtime ago but the view brought back vivid memories…loneliness and solitude.

This trip would be different. In his arms, he held the love of his life and nothing would ever compare to how she made him feel.

Natasha broke the contented silence, “Ahem…excuse me mademoiselle, monsieur,” she said as if she hated to interrupt them.

“Oh Natasha, I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to keep you waiting but the view is breathtaking.”

“I understand mademoiselle but if you will come with me, I will show you around the house. Jacques can take the monsieur around outside and show him where the equipment and firewood is located in case you need it later, then we will leave you two lovebirds alone.”

Natasha showed Alexis around the house while Jacques put the car in the garage and showed Brad around outside before they left for the evening.

Alexis came down from unpacking to find Brad sitting back on the large leather sofa staring into the fire. He was lost in thought.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she said with a tender smile remembering that he asked her the very same question not so long ago.

“
Mmm…
after we are married, would you like to build a house like this?” he asked.

She laughed as she sat down beside him, “I don’t think there is enough available land in D.C.”

He grinned, “Jacques said the house sits on 2.7 acres, we might be able to find something along those lines if we elected to leave the city.”

“Sweetheart, I love the house but we don’t need anything this big.”

“What about children? This would be perfect for a big family,” he noted as he turned and began to nuzzle the curve of her neck.

She gasped for two reasons; one, he knew what messing with her neck did to her and two, big family. “Define
big
, please.”

The glimmer of the angel flickered in his mind. “Three children.”

Her breath caught in her throat, “What happened to the one that I asked for?”

“Something tells me we will have more than one,” he whispered as his tongue traced the line of her collarbone causing her body to shudder involuntarily.

“Brad….”

“Yes…,” came his husky response—a response laced with desire as he laid her back on the sofa.

“I had Natasha prepare a light dinner for this evening. Would you like to eat in front of the fire?”

“Dinner in front of the fire would be lovely but you didn’t answer my question?”

“Which one,” her voice much more casual than her emotions.

“Actually…both.”

“Are you trying to keep me barefoot and pregnant, Mr. Scott?”

“Hardly my darling, I simply enjoy the practice,” as he continued to plague her with the sweetest of kisses.

“Brad….”

She did her best to fringe shock at his forwardness and failed miserably as her peals of laughter filled the air as he proceeded to tickle her sides. He loved the sound of her laughter and vowed he would make her happy every day for the rest of their lives.

As her laughter subsided, he asked in such a tentative voice, “Seriously, how do you feel about three children?”

The loving tenderness in his voice took her by surprise.

“I had not thought about more than one child but if you would like three children and God is willing, we can have three,” she said so softly.

“And the house?”

“We have two homes now.…”

“Yes, but the penthouse is no place to raise a family and while I love your home, it might get a little tight with so many little ones running around.”

“Brad, this is huge. Would you really want something this big?” The house was beautiful, but in her mind, it was much too large. “Perhaps we can agree on something that suits us both,” she decided hesitantly.

His lips covered hers with such a persuasive kiss an in that moment, she would have agreed to anything he asked.

Alexis was awake before the sun rose the next morning. Today was Brad’s birthday and she had big plans for the day—starting with breakfast in bed. It was all she could do to get past preparing the strawberries without leaving breakfast and waking him in a much more romantic way.

Natasha had been prepared for her every whim. The tray, plates, and dome covers had been laid out for her. The coffee sever sat close by along with a silver bowl for the strawberries and matching cream server.

As Alexis finished breakfast, she filled the tray with French toast sprinkled with powdered sugar, eggs, the finest Applewood smoked bacon, strawberries and cream, fresh coffee, and his present. She laid a single red rose across the tray and headed upstairs.

He still slept peacefully and while she hated to wake him, she had arranged for a full spa day for them as a couple so they could spend the day together. Sitting the tray on the dresser, she climbed into bed woke him with happy birthday kisses.

“Happy birthday,” she murmured between kisses.

“Thank you, darling,” he mumbled as he stretched. “Why are you up so early?”

She flashed him a brilliant smile as she left the bed to retrieve the breakfast tray. She placed the tray down beside the bed and fluffed his pillows as he sat up, then placed the tray across his lap.

Brad’s eyes widened. His brow arched and his jaw dropped. He sat as if he were frozen for a split second, confusion flickered across his face, before his expression turned to one of delight.

“This is wonderful, but you shouldn’t have.”

“Oh but I should have. Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

Excitement sparkled in her eyes. He had no idea why he had been given a gift such as Alexis. He was sure he had never done anything deserving or worthy of the love she gave. Yet, she bestowed the most gracious love on him. He leaned over and placed
thank you
kisses from her forehead to her lips and everywhere in between.

“Be careful, you are going to spoil me,” he teased.

If anyone could have gone from radiant to something more, it would have been Alexis. She absolutely glowed at his immense pleasure. “That’s the plan,” she said happily as she removed the dome covers, revealing breakfast.

A single eyebrow rose as he spied the strawberries. “Alexandria…are you trying to start something this morning,” he growled playfully.

“No sweetheart, I have other plans for today,” she smiled sweetly.

“Oh, really…what could be more important than us?”

“You’ll see.” She teased his lips with a piece of French toast just before popping it into her mouth.

“Alexandria, I’m warning you. One more move like that and I won’t care if the tray goes in the floor!”

She tried to flutter her lashes innocently but her devilish little grin gave her away.

He needed her. He sat the tray aside as she squealed with delight and tried to climb out of bed…out of his reach…but it was too late. Breakfast would be cold and they would be very late when he finished with her.

Two heartbeats quickened and became one. Two hot breaths collided, each giving the other life, and the miracle of two bodies sharing the same soul, astounded him. He fell in love with her all over again that morning. Long after the lovemaking had ended, they lay content in each other’s arms.

“Would you like your present now?” she whispered against his chest.

He kissed her sweetly as he replied, “You are my present.”

“I love you too,” Alexis shifted in Brad’s arms, “but I wanted to give you your gift before we left.”

“If you insist.”

“I do,” she smiled brightly at her lover.

She hopped up and walked around the bed to where his present still lay on the tray waiting to be opened. With an outstretched hand, she gave with all of her heart.

Unlike Alexis, Brad did not rip into the box. Instead, he removed the bow and set it to the side. Then he began to carefully unwrap the paper until the box was free. His eyes widened when he lifted the lid.

“This is magnificent. Thank you, I love it,” he smiled as he kissed her with complete devotion.

He withdrew the watch from its constraints.

“Turn it over,” she instructed quietly.

The inscription read…
My life began with you, Love
A.

Her sentiment touched his heart. She created such turbulent emotions within him…some new and fearful…and some brought tremendous joy and pride. This was one of those tender moments that shook him to the core. The gifts she gave paled in comparison to the love she gave.

“And you are my ending…,” as he immersed himself into her loving arms.

The spa had been splendid and he was very relaxed. As they dressed for dinner, he asked, “We’re going where?”