Coming Home to Aurelius 7

Alex was conscious that she’d been moving her feet for the past half hour, but the only only thing she was truly aware of, was the clean male scent emanating from the muscled chest (currently hidden under articles of clothing) she’d burrowed her nose into. The other thing that she was aware of was that Oscar’s thumbs were creating patterns on her back that were giving her a case of shivers. Delightful shivers.

"If the two of you remain cinched together any longer, you’ll really truly grow on each other."

Alexis pulled her head out of hiding and smiled shyly at Alexander who was obviously carting a sleepy Jeremy to the nursery.

Oscar grinned at the older man, pulled Alex closer and muttered, "Go away. I’m having the time of my life."

Alexis shocked herself by burying her face back into Oscar’s chest with embarrassment. Never before had a man been able to reduce her mental frame to puddle. And here she was, melting and pooling into red liquid around Oscar’s feet.

"I could almost swear that it’s the same dress Jesus had complained about. But it’s too demure of course."

The statement delivered by Caroline made both Alex and Oscar burst into laughter.

Looking thoroughly bemused, "What did I say??"

Still shaking with laughter, Alexis swept her hair to one side and twirled, giving Caroline an eyeful of her back.

A stunned look was followed by a raucous shout of laughter from Caroline who poked Oscar in the chest with a pointy nail and said, "You MADE her leave her hair open didn’t you? You protective boor……"

Caroline never got to finish her statement as her own husband slipped his hand along her waist to draw her closer, " Give the man a break. I’d say he’s behaved admirably. You my dear, in similar circumstances, would have found yourself in a nun’s habit."

Giving her husband a mock submissive look, Caroline murmured, "Yes master" even as her eyes danced with mischief, as Alex and Oscar laughed at the exchange.

Leaning slightly against Oscar, Alexis drank in the rightness of the situation. The soft golden glow of the room, laughter surrounded her, made her feel at home, and secure.

A sudden flash accompanied by a curse from Oscar jerked her out of her reverie. Alexis turned to see a man with a camera and a note-pad advancing towards them quickly. She watched as Alexander quickly intercepted the man, "Who might you be? I’m certain you’re not on the guest-list"

A less determined man would have quailed under the quiet but angry question, but the young man retorted, "I’m Andy Rivers. I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m from the Express. I just wanted a quick word with Miss Knightly about her book."

All eyes in the room turned to Alexis as she stepped forward, "Mr.Rivers, flattered that I am that you took the trouble to trace me down, I’m afraid you’re imposing on my host’s hospitality."

Slightly deflated the man suddenly looked years younger, like one of those over-enthusiastic interns with more courage than tact.
Sensing as much Alexis added graciously, "But perhaps you could visit Aurelius in the morning and ask your questions then."

Andy Rivers smiled brightly, "Thank you so much Miss Knightly, which would be wonderful, my boss would be really happy!"

Amused glances followed the boy as he literally floated out of the room on his own accord, blissfully unaware of the stir he’d caused.

A haughty looking female, dressed in a slinky green dress that didn’t leave much to imagination broke away from the crowd, whose name Alexis had gathered was Candy, jeered, "Wasn’t that a fabulous performance? How much did you pay him to play the part Miss. Knightly? As if any of us believe you’re famous enough for a reporter from The Express to track you down."

The outrageously rude comment led to an angry outburst of muttering in the crowd. Alexis stepped forward before Oscar (whose face was like an angry thundercloud) and an equally enraged Caroline could jump to her defense, "That’s a rather heavy censure, Candy. You do realise that you’re accusing me, in a room full of people of having committed a form of fraud? Are you aware that I could, extend my said ‘performance’ as you so charmingly put it, by suing you for slander? Perhaps then you would understand how truly famous I am."

As the crowd watched in hushed silence a "Bravo" from Mrs. Carmichael was rather audible, and it made Alexis smile, even as candy writhed in anger, "You think you’re so great don’t you? We all know what scum you are. Your Uncle’s not even cold in his grave and you’re already out having fun, dancing on his grave."

The reference to her uncle had bleached Alexis’s face of all colours. She teetered, all her guilt surging up, blinding her. The only warning she gave before darkness surrounded her, was a tiny "oh". More than enough warning for Oscar to catch her as she rushed towards the ground.
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When Alexis finally came to, she found herself in an unfamiliar room, a rather male room judging from the olive green walls with dark panelling and from the jade comforter she was tucked under. A slight shuffling sound alerted her to another presence in the room, and she weakly raised her head to se Oscar enter the room and coming to sit next to her on the bed.

"Feeling better, darling?"

The gentle question broke the fragile dam that had held her emotions in place. Alexis cried out all her pain into his grey t-shirt, sobs wracking her slender form. In between these sobs, she condemned herself for having fun, she condemned herself for being happy when her uncle had so recently died. Oscar’s jaw clenched as he listened to her, hating Candy for bringing up all of Alexis’s fears and guilt.

In a decisive movement, he set Alex away from him, his strong hand moving up from her shoulders, to her face, which he held strongly, and tilted up so she’s meet his eyes.

"Alex. Listen to me very carefully. I’m only going to say this once; you’re an intelligent woman, that’s all it should take. Your Uncle’s death was no one’s fault. Most importantly, it wasn’t your fault, it’s not your burden to carry. He had a good life Alex, be glad for that. And as far as your having had fun within days of his death. Life goes on sweetheart. And try to understand this, you loved your uncle, he lives on inside you, he lives here (he touched her chest lightly) and if you stop living, you’re killing that bit of him again."

It took a moment for Alexis to digest his words. Oscar noted gladly that the horror in her eyes had ebbed to be replaced by a certain tranquillity.

With a soft sigh she looked back up at him, her trust implicit. Slowly, Oscar lowered his head to seal their trust with a slow evocative kiss that made Alexis tremble delightfully. When he raised his head again, a teasing glint entered his eyes, " Much as I might want to comfort you a little longer, my prolonged visit will put my mother in a tizzy.She’ll think I’m taking advantage of your vulnerable state."

Alexis grinned, " She’d be right wouldn’t she? After all, here I am all tired and drained, and you’re exploiting me by all the kissing."

Oscar put on a mock serious expression as he said, "What’s a man supposed to do? You keep fainting on me, I keep picking you up, and my dear, and you feel too nice in my arms, forcing me into such dishonorable acts.Especially, when I’m nice enough to give up my own room for you."

Blushing, Alexis looked down at their interlocked hands, " Oscar, thank you."

Something tender turgged at his heart as he framed her face and said, " For what?"

Taking initiative, she pressed a soft kiss and murmured against his lips, " For everything."
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Next morning, sitting at the breakfast table with the Carmichaels, Alexis was having trouble eating. The food was great, that wasn’t it. It was Oscar’s foot sliding up her legs (left bare by a borrowed skirt) that distracter her.

"Alex dear, why aren’t you eating? Would you prefer something other than bacon and eggs?" enquired Mrs. Carmichael in a concerned voice.

Alexis blushed deeper as Oscar’s toe tickled her calves.

"Her colour’s high. Perhaps we should call a doctor," suggested her husband.

Alexis sighed as she curled her legs under her, out of Oscar’s reach.

Since she’d been coerced into spending the day with the Carmichaels, it was going to be a long day.