End of Innocence: VI

End of Innocence: VI

April 2000

May 2000

She was cold and wondered why it was so hard to reach for the blanket. Lexi didn’t remember falling asleep with the light on but behind her eyelids she could tell it was very bright…too bright to want to open her eyes. Especially the way her head seemed to be spinning, God she wanted it to stop. It would be much easier to open her eyes if her head would just stop spinning. Somewhere in the distance she could hear a voice. HIS voice, and it was calling her name…asking her if she was alright. Asking her to wake up, pleading with her to open her eyes before she finally felt his tears falling unabated on her cheeks.

“Oh my God. Lexi, Lexi. Wake up. Please wake up.” Michael fumbled with the phone he had just fetched from the living room floor and desperately tried to scroll through the numbers in an attempt to find Annabelle’s. His hands shook so violently that he dropped the phone directly on Lexi’s chest, where it slid down into her chin and prompted her to open her eyes. Her loud moan scared him and he kneeled down and spoke to her, “Babe, are you alright? Talk to me.” Managing to move her hand up to her back she whispered, “It hurts, what happened?” Moving away he pulled the towel off of the rack and placed it gently under her back just as she brought her hand up to her face. “I’m bleeding? Michael did I pass out?” Michael’s worried face hovered over hers again and finally came into focus, “I think so, I was asleep. I heard a crash and found you here just now. I think you hit your back on the vanity when you fell. Did you hit your head?” Lexi’s head did hurt and she was still dizzy but it was not from falling, “No, help me sit up.” Holding the towel against her side he gently helped her sit up and carefully looked at the laceration on her back. “Do I need stitches?” Lexi leaned forward as he continued to hold pressure on the wound.  “I don’t think so, just catch your breath and I will bandage it. Lex, why did you faint like that?” Closing her eyes again she just ignored his question hoping he would just let it go.

Helping her up from the floor, he set the chair upright and sat her down on it so she could get her bearings while he bandaged her back. “Let me get the stuff for your back, just sit here and don’t move.” Lexi was fine with that since her head was still woozy and she was reluctant to release her hold on the towel. Michael pulled open drawer after drawer, slightly hesitating on one before quickly closing it and continuing on. Soon he found the bandages and had her cleaned up, in her nightgown and back in bed. As he washed up he went back to the drawer he opened earlier and looked again at what lay inside. Taking out the medication, he read the label and bit his bottom lip. He had been correct when he saw it earlier, why was she taking something like this now? He didn’t understand, and he didn’t know if he had the right to ask her why she was doing it.

Lexi’s eyes followed Michael as he left the bedroom and she could vaguely hear him as he rummaged around in the kitchen. If she could get past the cramps she was experiencing she would be melancholy about how hearing him reminded her of Robert and his late night sandwich making. She took the chance to sneak out of bed again and finally take her medication. This time she didn’t faint and she was able to give herself the injection and crawl back into the bed before Michael arrived with toast, strawberry preserves and Oolong tea. “You need to eat, I know you didn’t eat tonight.” His no nonsense demeanor made her sit up and accept the tray without protest. “You’re right, I didn’t.” Shaking his head he sat down and kissed her shoulder as she nibbled on the toast. “Lex, tell me what is going on?” She could only blink innocently, and took a sip off of the tea. “Thanks this is just what I needed.”

He was frustrated now and practically slung himself off of the bed and into her bathroom. Just as he reached for the drawer he saw the empty box in the trash and promptly fished it out. “This…this is what I am talking about Lexi. What the hell is going on? Why are you taking these? What are you doing to yourself?” She froze with the teacup to her lips. Not realizing he might find her medication in her drawer that he opened earlier.  Lexi set the tray at the end of the bed and laid down hoping he would stop with the questioning, her head still hurt and the cramps were not letting up. She was afraid that perhaps the intimacy they had may have aggravated her problem. “Michael, please come back to bed, I just want to try and sleep.” Leaning against the frame of the doorway to the bathroom he just stared at her, knowing she was intentionally keeping something from him. “You’re starting to scare me.” He finally said, so hushed she almost didn’t hear him. As he walked towards her he tossed the empty box of fertility hormones upon the bed before picking up her tray. “You let us take a big risk tonight Alexis, you are the doctor, shouldn’t you should know better?” Lexi’s eyes registered shock and amazement that he knew what the medication was for. “Michael I can explain….” Before she had the chance he walked out of the room leaving her alone, again.

He didn’t come back; she eventually got up and found him in Alannah’s room sitting the rocking chair. The same one she herself had spent so many sleepless nights in. As soon as she stepped into the room she saw his dark eyes move to catch hers and she dreaded the talk she knew she had to have with him. Before she went to him she checked on her sleeping daughter who was oblivious to everything but the fairy tale dreams behind her long lashed eyes that were still closed. Smiling at Michael she crept into the closet and reached up on the shelf and brought down a peace offering. When she handed him the toy duck he followed her to the living room and sat silently beside her until she was ready to speak. He was grateful for the comfort of the stuffed animal, as what Lexi was about to tell him was not at all what he was expecting or ready for.

“Michael, before Robert died we had decided to have a child, together. I…we had just found out that I wasn’t going to be able to carry another baby and so we felt that utilizing a surrogate was our best option.” Lexi watched his face for a reaction but he just solemnly stared at her so she continued. “I have one chance to do this Michael. He is gone and now I have to have surgery. You’re right, we should have been more careful tonight…it was reckless of me. I can’t carry one baby no less two or more. But I did just start the treatment and believe me when I tell you that I wanted to be with you more than anything. I have missed you so much.”

Michael’s eyes narrowed and he took her hand, “Surgery, what do you mean?” Is something else wrong? Shaking her head, Lexi tried to minimize her fears, “It’s nothing, pre-emptive and then I will be better than ever. But I had to start the hormones now so that my eggs can be harvested first.” Rubbing her fingers he contemplated the situation, “You shouldn’t have fainted Lex, even I know that. Please see Annabelle in the morning.”  It was not a question it was just how it was going to be and she nodded her head in agreement. He led the way back to bed even though a thousand questions still twisted through his mind he realized there were no more answers for him that night.

The smell of coffee filtered through the air and Michael opened his eyes and saw the dim first light of dawn beginning to shine through the curtains of Lexi’s bedroom. Hearing the shower running he imagined her wet and soapy with his hands gliding over her body…and just like always his own body didn’t let him down. Making sure he locked the bedroom door, to keep out any early morning visitors he made his way to her and opened the shower stall. Lexi met him with a smile and nothing else, “I was wondering when you would get here.” She said as she handed him the soap. Michael laughed and placed it back on the holder as he took her in his arms, “Girl, I have better things in mind right now. Come here.” Bending down, his mouth found hers for a deep kiss. Feeling her skin underneath his fingers made his body come alive and he hardened instantly. Grasping him, Lexi began to stroke his shaft in rhythm with his kiss until he broke away with a gasp. Knowing instinctively what he wanted Lexi pushed him down so that he could sit on the shower seat and knelt between his legs. Michael leaned back against the wall, spreading his knees apart with a loud sigh as Lexi ran her tongue up his length. “Um yes.” He moaned as he closed his eyes when her soft lips wrapped around his tip. Automatically he reached for her and caressed her now wet hair as she drove her mouth down upon him. She heard him gulp as his hips thrust upward, causing his sensitive manhood to meet the warm feel of the back of her tongue and slowly slide across her lips.  While she worked him over and over, she caused her own passion to flare. Rising to her feet she straddled him on the seat, and slowly lowered herself down on his throbbing shaft. “Lex…we shouldn’t, damn you feel so good though girl.” Leaning forward she breathed into his ear, “Just for a second Michael, I need you inside me. I want you inside me.” Rising up she rotated her hips in a steady groove as the heat began to build inside her. “I want to come Michael….oh my mmmm” As her breathing began to become more shallow Michael thrust harder. Leaning into his chest, her forehead pressed against the tile and Michael wrapped his arms around her as he arched deeply into her. Suddenly she gripped his arms as she clamped down internally and shook upon him. “That’s it Alexis, thats right girl….I can feel you.”

Climbing off of him she once again fell to her knees.and before taking him between her lips she whispered, “Now baby, come on.” Her senses seemed to fade for a moment as she concentrated on pleasing him. Once again she brought him to ecstasy, and she used everything at her disposal. Her lips, her tongue, and her body to work together to give him back all the pleasure he had just brought her. Tightening in preparation for his release she sunk down to his base to accept all of him just as he came with a moan of undeniable pleasure.

Michael pulled Lexi onto his lap and they both spent a few minutes reminding each other how much fun two people can have with soap and bubbles before they finally started their day.

Alannah was ecstatic to see her Poppa Michael later when Lexi woke her to get ready for pre-school and they all laughed at the hug they gave each other at the door between giggles. Especially when he whispered in Lexi’s ear that he hadn’t been so happy in years, she knew she wasn’t supposed to be…but she was too.

Two weeks had passed and Lexi was flipping through the latest Harper Bazaar at Dr. Annabelle Lee-Pham’s office when her friend opened the door in her naturally unassuming way. “Hi Lexi, How are you?” Smiling she stood to hug her tight, “I’m fine Belle, how are you? Did you get the test results for Mrs. Collingsworth that I sent over? Her stress test was acceptable; she should be fine to proceed on your end.” Annabelle nodded, “Yes we received it, thanks. Lexi I wanted to talk to you about the D&C. I think we should do another ultrasound just to check for any changes. How are you between periods, any bleeding?” “Annabelle is there a problem? I guess there really hasn’t been anything real bad; my cycle has been a mess for years. I just want to get the IVF out of the way that’s my main priority right now. Bernadette and I are on the same page mentally, physically and financially now.” Still flipping through her chart Annabelle finally faced her, “Lexi when you called me a couple of weeks ago I took a look at everything in here. I just want to make sure we aren’t missing something. Something that we think might be endometriosis but is really masking… well to be frank with you, something more serious. That syncopal episode you had along with the severe cramping and irregular bleeding could be something more severe…come on Lexi, we need to just be sure before we go in.” Standing up Lexi walked over and pulled a paper gown out of the cabinet, “OK, alright…let’s just get it over with. You know how much I hate all this GYN stuff Belle.

Fifteen minutes later the ultra sound technician was rolling the wand across her belly. The feeling of dread and uncertainty that crept over her tugged at her throat like a cheap scarf in the wind and she want to hurl it away and do what she had always done….run.

She did run, and for once she ran to him. She used the codeword and security led her up to the suite at the Plaza. Sliding the slip of paper out of her wallet she glanced again at the number and prepared to knock on the door. Lexi didn’t know if she could ever remember going to his hotel unannounced but she just had to feel his arms around her, and he had told her that morning he would be there as they were off from the studio. Finally knocking at the door she smoothed back her hair and waited for someone to answer praying it would be him and not Grace. Her prayers were answered when he literally threw the door open with a laugh before catching it and stepping outside. “Lexi, hey what are you doing here girl?” She was focused on him and his smiling face because it was what she needed at that moment, “Michael, I’m so glad you’re here. I….it’s….” Unable to hold back her tears any longer she broke down in front of him. “What is going on…Alexis. girl….hey?”

Moving to him Lexi couldn’t wait to feel him wrap his warmth around her but as she stepped into his embrace the suite’s door opened behind them. ”Michael, hurry with the room service, my champagne is empty.” The French accent was unmistakable and Lexi looked over his shoulder and saw a very young woman with hair that was flaxen, ice blue eyes, and skin that was pale and flawless. The two women’s eyes met before she finally looked at him.

“I’m sorry, I…I should have called first.” Old habits die hard and she heard him call her name, but all she could see was the door to the elevators as they opened in front of her. Vaguely it registered that hotel staff had pushed an ice bucket and bottle of champagne through the doors ahead of her as she slipped in and made her escape.

Rosa sat in front of the television watching Tony Soprano eat his ice cream on her favorite show. She had decided upon seeing Lexi’s face earlier that she should spend the night to keep an eye on Alannah. Rolling her eyes at the knock on the door, she peered through the peep hole and opened it to Michael who stood there with Paris asleep in his arms and Prince by the hand.

“Hi Rosa, I need to see her.”

Already back on the couch she waved to the bedroom, “Her and the baby are in the bed. It is not a good night…” Muttering under her breath to herself, “or is that why you are here?”

Michael led Prince back to the bedroom and softly knocked on the door, “Lex…Lexi, it’s me and the kids. We’re coming in.”

Lexi’s sad eyes met his as she cuddled behind a sleeping Alannah in the bed. Michael lay Paris down beside her sister and Prince climbed up rubbing his eyes. “Daddy can I watch TV?” Michael smiled and kissed him on top of the head, “Ask Miss Lexi son?” Lexi turned the television on to Disney and put the volume on low as Prince settled back against the pillows.

Stepping out of the sheets she walked into the bathroom to wait for him to meet her. It was just moments before he did and she spun around with her finger at the ready and her voice in a harsh whisper,

“You brought the kids to run interference?” That is a damn bold move, even coming from you.”

He raised his eyebrow surprised that she was angry,

“What, you’re mad about the kids?”

“I’m not mad Michael, it…it just doesn’t matter right now. None of it.”

Once again she started to cry but this time she just made her way over and closed the door and sunk into the vanity chair.

“What in the hell is going on with you girl?” Michael stood in front of her and knelt down, taking her hands in his.

She sat staring down for a long drawn out moment before she finally spoke, “I had to see Annabelle today. You know they are taking my eggs next week and I was supposed to have that surgery.” She wiped her face with a tissue as he patiently waited for her to continue, “She um…she found a mass in the ultrasound today, Michael she thinks its cancer.”

Michael felt like the bottom dropped out of his world as her words seemed to echo over and over in his head. Sitting back on his heels he stared at her helplessly as she pulled at the tissue in her hand. He was confused and he stood and walked over to the door where he opened it slightly and checked on the kids, Prince was still watching television quietly and the girls were snuggled together fast asleep. As he closed it again he felt his stomach heave and he paused for a moment trying to get his bearings.

Staring at his hand on the frame he took a deep breath…he was strong, he was steady, he had to be there for her.

Finally she felt him behind her; first it was his arms, then his lips on her cheek and finally his sweet voice in her ear. “I’m here Alexis; I still love you so much. Whatever happens…..”

To be continued…

Please Rate This Chapter Below

About

DangerousPYT,

Where making it passionate is what we urge you to do everyday. Life is too short...sing, dance, play and most of all L.O.V.E.