Megan
I woke up early Monday morning. I couldn't sleep and was all out of sorts. I went downstairs to the kitchen, and Alex was there having a bowl of cereal. His expression was like a little boy who got caught, with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" He grinned, as he ate his last spoonful of cereal. He actually, tipped the bowl, and drank the milk.
"I guess I never expected you to be such a normal guy. With a full time cook on staff, you chose to eat a bowl of cereal?" It really was remarkable to see. Then I went and sat next to him at the kitchen table.
"Why are you up so early, anyway?" He nudged me with his shoulder.
"I'm thinking about the game plan for today. I know Brandon mentioned filing new adoption papers, and having John McKay investigated. I need to go back to my apartment and get a few more things for me and Liliana." No wonder I couldn't sleep, once I said that out loud.
"Brandon, is going to file the new adoption paperwork today, and speak with a private investigator that he knows. I can take you to your apartment and drop you off. It turns out, I have to go in to the office for a meeting. Then I'll come back and get you. Liliana, will stay with my mother while we're gone today." Alex had everything mapped out and under control.
As we pulled in front of my apartment, I saw glass in the street. Someone had thrown a brick through the windshield of my parked car, and spray painted, "I'll be back," on my car. Alex called the police. They couldn't find any finger prints. There was no way to prove that John had done this. But I knew it was him.
I stood there trembling in the street next to my completely damaged car. I was trying not lose the contents of my stomach. I was so frightened of that man, and him taking my little girl from me.
I was shaken and I didn't hear Alex approach. "I'm going to come with you to your apartment, while you get what you need. I'll call Chance and Brandon to let them know what happened. We have to speed handling this situation up." Alex was hyper-cautious talking to me.
While we were in my apartment, Alex was on the phone making a ton of calls. There was a knock at the door and he beat me to it. He answered it, thinking it might be John McKay.
A woman was standing there looking behind Alex, with her gaze directed at me. "Megan Kennedy?"
"Yes, I'm Megan Kennedy." I spoke up, as I scrutinized the woman.
"You've been served." The woman handed me the envelope and walked away.
I opened the envelope and read over the contents. "John McKay is contesting my adoption of Liliana, and he wants full custody." I handed the letter to Alex to read.
I fell to the floor, clutching my stomach. I could no longer hold back the nauseous feeling. . .I dreaded this moment. I knew John was going to fight for custody of Liliana. The room was spinning and suddenly everything went black.
I woke up in Alex's office, at Corwin Development Corporation. He had picked me up, carried me to his car, and brought me here. I was lying down on the sofa in his office when I saw him speaking to Chance and Brandon, with his back turned to me. They were speaking in hushed tones, so I couldn't hear what they were saying.
Alex, turned around and saw that I was awake. "Hey, how are you feeling? You've been sleeping off and on, all day. We had a doctor. . . whose office is downstairs, come check you out. I told him what happened this morning and he said your reaction was understandable given these circumstances." Alex put his hand on my face and checked my forehead.
"Can you eat something for me? I ordered you some soup, if you're up to eating." He looked at me, with concern-filled eyes and spoke so tenderly.
"I don't have an appetite yet, but could I have some water?" I managed to ask.
"I filed the papers today to contest the validity of John McKay's claim to Liliana. We're meeting with a judge in his chambers, tomorrow. I called in a few favors. Everything is going to work out. I also filed a restraining order against him. We're literally on the case." Brandon smiled at me and squeezed my hand, reassuringly.
I so hope he's right. . . I wonder what everyone in the office is thinking? Alex, had to carry me to his office.
"I have a Board meeting, we pushed back until we handled all of this important business. Will you be alright in my office by yourself? My secretary, Barbara, will be in to check if you need anything until I get back." Alex bent down and gave me a quick kiss before he left.
I saw my cellphone and decided to call Mrs. Corwin. I needed to speak to Liliana. I had put the picture of me, Liliana, and Alex on my screensaver and home screen. We stood there so proudly at her kindergarten graduation. I wanted that family, more than Liliana did at this point.
I rubbed my hand over the photo, and it brought a genuine smile to my face. I decided not to call and get Mrs. Corwin upset. How did we get from that day, to today? Everything happened so fast. I can't believe I met Alex, three months ago. That was the day Avalon and Chance, got engaged at the Macy's Flower Show. I was so shy around him, but Liliana took to him right away.
Flashback. . .
Avalon, Liliana, and I, met up with Alex and Chance in the lobby of The Macy's Flower Show at Herald Square. I could tell Avalon was nervous about seeing Chance, and how I would be around Alex, a total stranger.
"Megan and Liliana, how nice to see you again. This is my brother, Alex." Chance introduced us.
"It's my pleasure to meet you two ladies. Avalon, it's nice to see you again. It's been a while." Alex was very friendly with everyone.
"It's nice to see you as well, Alex. Why don't we get started, we have a lot to see." Avalon was very gracious with Alex. I was wondering how things would be, considering all that had taken place, with his family and Avalon.
"Megan and Liliana, would you mind showing me around? This is my first time
here." Alex was charming and disarmed me.
"Can we show Mr. Alex around, mommy?" Liliana's eyes beamed up at me, with a bright smile and her missing front tooth.
"Sure, will you two be okay by yourselves?" I asked Avalon nervously. I wasn't enthusiastic about going with Alex, by myself. I am shy around strangers.
"We'll be fine, and we'll get to chat. You go with Alex. Liliana seems to like him." Avalon's eyes twinkled. Now, I had no choice after her reply.
End of Flashback. . .
Could Alex grow to love us, and want us to be his family? It's a lot to ask. He's a sought after bachelor, not looking to get married. And probably not seeking a ready made family. I know I'm dreaming, to even think that would be possible.
Yet, sometimes I get the feeling that he thinks of us as his family, already. He's never said it, but his actions speak it.
There was a knock at the door. "Come in." I hope I was heard.
"Hi, Miss Kennedy. You had us all so worried, when we saw Mr. Corwin carrying you into his office. I called and had the doctor come up, right away. Do you need or want anything?" Barbara, came over and gingerly sat next to me on the sofa.
"You can call me, Megan. I can only imagine the uproar, that must have occurred seeing Alex carrying me into his office. Apparently, I had blacked out. I'm fine for now, but thank you for checking on me." I hugged her, she was so sweet.
"No problem at all, Megan. Mr. Corwin confidentiality shared your situation, with a few of us. He was frantic under today's circumstances and all of the commotion. He really cares very deeply for you and your daughter. . . . I can tell. Liliana must be a special little girl and you are one fortunate lady to have, Alex Corwin." Barbara seemed embarrassed to reveal that last tidbit.
"Barbara, do you really think he cares deeply for me and my daughter?" I was talking to her like she was my therapist, and held the answer to my question in the palm of her hand.
"Are you kidding? I work with, and for both Corwin brothers. I think I know them pretty well. Alex cares for you more than you know. Trust me, the way he carried you like precious cargo, and gently laid you down on the sofa in his office. He yelled, for me to call the doctor and he kept rubbing your hand and your face. He was whispering your name in your ear, hoping you would hear him. He looked like a man in love." She got up, patted my hand, and gave me a knowing wink. She left me in the office to ponder her statement.
Could Barbara be right? Could I dare to believe that Alex cares for me more than I know? Could he be in love with me?
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