melody_voyage-of-discovery-6

A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY by Melody <<< part 5

PART 6

Alexis and James decided to keep the baby, and James was thrilled beyond belief. He went round to Nicky's home, to tell him in person, knowing that it was the right thing to do; Nicky deserved the honesty.
“Pregnant?” Nicky was aghast. “Isn't this a bit sudden?”
“The thing is Nick, she's almost three months pregnant; you don't need me to tell you what that means.”
“You bastard! You were sleeping with her behind my back, oh you two must have laughed like hell at me.” He put on a stupid voice, patronising voice. “Stupid Nick, he's a trusting gullible fool! Oh the entertainment I must have caused you.”

“Nicky, it was never like that!” James was hurting for his friend. “You remember when I stayed over at Lexy's at your suggestion? Well that's when it happened. Later that night she told me to go to the other room or go home; I went home the next morning.”
“You don't think that that makes you any better do you James? I'm your friend, or should I say, I'm supposed to be.”
“If it makes you feel any better, punch me, go on, knock me out, give me a black eye or break my jaw! I know I did wrong Nick, hell I knew it at the time and I still did it. I love her Nicky, and every time I see her I want her. Blame me, not Lexy, it was me that did all the running and I kept on until she gave in.” James kept his fingers crossed behind his back, offering a silent prayer that Nicky would never discover the truth. He wanted to protect Alexis as much as he could, rightly or wrongly, he was willing to carry the blame for this.

“You had better go before I say or do something that I'll regret,” spat Nicky angrily.
“I will,” said James, making his way to the door. “Please don't take this out on Lexy, what with the baby and everything, it’s the last thing that she needs.”
“She never loved me did she?”
“Yes Nick, she did.”
“Only not as much as she loves you?”
“No. I know that you'll hate my guts but we are both genuinely upset by how this has turned out, Lexy never wanted to hurt or mislead you.”
Nicky gave a sarcastic laugh. “You know what James, I can't hate her, although I know that I should. If she came here right now and asked me to take her back, I would, that's how much I love her. She obviously has the same depth of love for you. In spite of your protestations, I do not believe for one minute that you love her back the same way; you're way too selfish.”

Those words hurt James more than anything else that Nicky had said. “You are so wrong Nicky; I'd give my life for her, I love her that much.”
“You've hurt her once, don't you dare do it again. If I as much as suspect that you are cheating on her, you'll have me to answer to. It’s time for you to start acting responsibly, now that you are going to be a father.”
“I know what being a father means.”
“And being a good faithful husband, can you do that James?”
“We haven't discussed marriage,” replied James, thrown off balance by Nicky mentioning marriage.
“Not bothered about the little mite being born out of wedlock then? Mind you, why should I find that surprising, after all, you did shag my girlfriend didn't you? Obviously a man with no compunction.”

“Touché Nicky! If you are trying to provoke a fight it won't work; I came here to be honest with you.”
“Shame that you weren't honest a lot earlier isn't it?”
“What do you want me to do Nick?” yelled James in frustration. “I have no idea what else I can do, short of begging for forgiveness. Is that what you want? If that is what it takes, I'll do it.”
The next thing that Nicky said caught James completely off guard. “Treat her right and make her happy, that's what I want.”

Alexis and James bought a house together, and luckily, didn't have to wait too long for the other properties to be sold. She had to pinch herself occasionally to confirm that she wasn't in the midst of a dream; her love for James was growing and deepening all of the time. With her pregnancy progressing, he pampered her more and more, not allowing her to carry the shopping unless it was very light, and he insisted on doing the majority of the housework.

Her parents had had huge misgivings when they learned that Alexis was rekindling her romance with James, urging her to think again. When she told them about the baby, they were nonplussed. When they then learned that the baby was James' they were disappointed in her and enormously upset, convinced she was throwing her life away.
“We brought you up to know right from wrong Lexy. What the hell where you thinking of?”

Gradually they warmed to the idea of being grandparents, though their dismay at the baby's conception remained a constant source of arguments and bickering. Alexis didn't blame them, her parents were very moral Christian people, and she had let them down and brought shame on them. Whatever happened with her and James, that shame would never leave.

“I'm going out to the shop love,” said James, patting Alexis' huge eight and a half month baby bump. “Got to get some more of that Nicotine gum, do you want anything?”
“A few chocolate bars please honey.”
“Ok, I won't be long,” he gave her a quick kiss. “I love you.”
“Love you too,” she beamed back, meaning every word. It wasn't long before she had fallen asleep.

She awoke feeling cold. “James?” she murmured, squinting and rubbing her eyes. Slowly she eased her now cumbersome body off the couch and went to the entrance hall; James' jacket was still missing. It had been almost three hours since he had gone out, and the nearest pub had shut an hour and a half earlier.

Frantically she began ringing around – perhaps he had bumped into a friend and gone back home with them for a drink and lost track of time: No one had seen him. The last person she called was Nicky, not a call that she wanted to make but one that she knew she had to make.
“I'm coming right over,” he said. “Pat is staying here so I'll ask him to drive me over; give me thirty minutes.”

She kept watching out of the windows, waiting for James to come back so she could tell him off for worrying her. Her spirits soared when she saw Nicky striding to the door.
“Any news?” he asked anxiously.
“No, nothing.” Once the words were out, the floodgates opened and huge wracking sobs convulsed her body.
“Oh Lexy, come here love,” winced Nicky, in pain at seeing her distress. He held his arms out to her and she immediately walked into the embrace and clung to him, needing comfort, support and reassurance. He held her against him, stroking her hair and back until her sobs subsided enough for her to speak and tell him what had happened.”

Nicky sat her down and made her a cup of tea, continually trying to calm her, whilst ringing around everyone again.
“Martin?” gasped Nicky, shocked at seeing his manager and friend at the door. “Do you know where James is?” He showed Martin into the lounge, Martin was as white as a sheet and shivering.
“Lexy, I know where he is,” he said slowly, swallowing the lump in his throat. “He's at St. Judes hospital.”
“Oh God No!”
“He was hit by a drunk driver being pursued by the police.”
“Take me to him, please.”
Martin started crying. “I'm sorry Lexy. The police contacted me, they needed someone to identify him. I am so sorry Lex.”
“NO!” Her anguished cries tore through the house.

Nicky paced the corridor agitatedly, waiting for a midwife to tell him how Alexis was doing. The shock of learning of James' death had induced her labour prematurely, and Martin had found himself having to go to the maternity unit, ironically, at St. Judes hospital.

“Mr Jones, erm..Nicky is it?”
Nicky hadn't heard or seen the tall slim brunette approaching him – he was lost in his own little world. “Erm yeah, that's me.”
“Miss Dean wants you in with her, now that the birth is imminent. Follow me and I'll show you where you can get scrubbed and gowned.”
“Are you absolutely positive that that is what she said?”
The midwife smiled. “Indeed. What she actually said was 'I think I need Nicky'”.
“Oh.”
“I clarified that Nicky and Mr Jones, as we have you listed on her admission form, are one and the same and so here I am.”
Nicky couldn't take it in; he was overwhelmed. Alexis wanted him there for the birth of her baby, her and James' baby, he corrected himself.

He joined her in the delivery room when she was in mid push, gritting her teeth and sweating profusely. Awkwardly he stood beside her, not knowing what he was supposed to do.
“Oh Nick,” she panted, flopping back onto the pillow.
“Concentrate on your breathing,” came a kind voice from in the room, Nicky had no idea who had spoken. “Your contractions are very close together now and baby's head is crowning.”
Alexis grabbed Nicky's right hand and screamed as the next contraction tore through her. Nicky winced but encouraged her to squeeze harder if she needed; he was soon rueing that suggestion.

“Oh Lexy, she is so beautiful!” Nicky cooed, watching Alexis cradle the newborn in her arms.
“Here, why don't you hold her?” Swiftly she wiped a tear away and handed a shiking Nicky, the sleeping bundle. “I was thinking of called her Jaime Dean-Bradfield or is a double barrelled name too pretentious?”
“I think it’s perfect. James would be proud; of both of you.”
“Why James? He should be here, being the doting dad and taking loads of pictures. Instead there's a funeral to organise and Jaime will never know her daddy.”
“Yes she will,” said Nicky calmly, falling more and more in love with Jaime each second that he held her. “We will bore her silly, telling her what she was like, and she can listen to him sing, watch him on videos and stuff. I know that it isn't as good as the real thing, but at least she'll know.”

“Thank you for staying and helping; it can't be easy.”
“Thank you for letting me watch hr being born. That was the most sublime thing I have ever experienced.”
“I meant because...”
“I know. James' death puts everything in perspective doesn't it? I am your friend Lex, and I'll help you in any way that I can, I promise you that. We have to pull together now; its what James would want.”
“I don't deserve your friendship, not after...”
“Shush, it’s done and gone, no point in dwelling on it is there?” He carefully placed baby Jaime in her cot beside Alexis' bed. “I'm going to let you get some more rest.”

“You will come back later?” Panic was in her voice.
“Of course I will, if you want me to.”
She smiled feebly at him. “I want to get out of here but where do I go? I'm not sure I can face going back home, I'll keep expectating James to come walking in, smiling that cheeky smile of his.”
“You heard what the doctor said Lex, at least twentyfour hours, maybe seventytwo. They want to monitor you and Jaime thoroughly.”
“This place will make me go insane. Do you have any idea what its like knowing that James is in the morturary, not ten minutes from here?”
“No I don't but I can imagine, and as much as you need to mourn and grieve for James, you also need to concentrate on that helpless little angel,” he pointed towards Jaime. “She needs you so much Lexy.”
“I can't do this alone!” She slammed her fists into the bed, her tears falling freely.
“Hey honey, you are not alone; we'll all take good care of you.”

During the service at James' funeral, Alexis fainted and had to be taken home, becoming hysterical, her grief overwhelming her. Luckily Nicky had been holding Jaime and they had been sat down in church. Once the service was over, Nicky went back with her to the house. Alexis changed out of her mourning suit, fed and changed Jaime and gone to bed for a while. While she was sleeping Nicky called Pat and asked him to get some more clothes for him; he was going to stay with her for a while.

Over the following months Alexis steadily began to plan her future. The first thing on the agenda was to find a job, being at home was driving her crazy and she hadn't worked since her illness. After much thought, she decided to remain in the home she had shared briefly with James, needing to hang on to the happy memories that she had of their time there. Jaime was adorable and a very happy baby, utterly doted on by Nicky, Sean, Monty, Martin, Terri and Alexis' parents. Her parents pestered her about getting Jaime christened, but Alexis was adamant that it wouldn't happen.
Perhaps one day, but right now it is still much too painful for me; James should be there. I don't think I can do it.

Nicky was especially close to her, helping her to laugh and taking her out for drinks or to the cinema. If he spoke to her on the phone and she was sounding low, he would go round armed with dvd's flowers and chocolates, and listen to her, and comfort her while she cried. He was also a natural with Jaime, ahppily helping to give her a bath, play with her, change her nappies and take her out in her pram for a stroll, to give Alexis a break and an opportunity to get some rest.

Over the course of the year, Alexis realised that she was falling for Nicky, which scared her, after all, she'd been there before and had broken his heart.

She threw a small party for Jaime's first birthday, inviting a few of her friends children as well as all the adult that Jaime knew so well.. A lot of her work colleagues also popped in with presents esuring that Jaime was really spoilt rotten!

Alexis worked two days a week for a promotions company and her hours were flexible, giving her the opportunity to work from home. When she worked in the office, Jaime would go to a local nursery or be looked after by one of her many aunts and uncles, or by Monty, who loved having her to stay with him for the day.

When all the partygoers had gone home, Nicky loaded the dishwasher and ordered Alexis to rest on the sofa. Jaime scrambled up to her mum for a cuddle, and they fell asleep together, blissfully unaware that Nicky was doing all of the clearing up.
“Hey there sweetie,” smiled Nicky when Jaime began to stir. “Time for your bath and to get ready for bed.”
When Alexis woke up, Jaime was splashing about in her little bath in the lounge, giggling away at Nicky who was having a great time playing with the rubber ducks.
“Oh you didn't need to do that,” yawned Alexis, rubbing her eyes. “Not that I'm complaining. You seem to be enjoying it as much as Jaime is.”
“I am!” he mouthed back to her, with a big cheesy grin.

Alexis took Jaime up to bed and read her a story, it wasn't long before Jaime was fast asleep. When Alexis got back downstairs Nicky had a glass of wine waiting for her.
“If you're tired I can always go home. Just tell me to go if you want.”
She flopped beside Nicky on the sofa. “I don't want you to go,” she said patting his lap. “Its good having you here, taking care of us both. James would appreciate it too.”
“You'll always have a special place in my heart Lexy, you know that, and Jaime, well, she's just the most beautiful little girls; she so reminds me of James. She has definitely got her fathers nose and eyes.”
“Yeah, she's a lot like him,” Alexis agreed. “I don't know how to thank you for all that you have done for us, you have been absolutely amazing.”
“You know I love it!” he giggled. “It's no hardship taking care of my two gorgeous ladies.”
“Thank you.”

Her kiss caught him by surprise. “Are you sure Lex?” he pleaded.
“Yes.”
Their lovemaking was wonderful, Nicky was gentle, considerate and concentrated on making Alexis feel good, taking it slowly and giving her plenty of opportunities to stop him, should she begin to regret it; she didn't.

She watched Nicky sleeping and a wave of love washed over her. This time was the RIGHT time for them, and she knew that James was happy for her, she could feel it. The trauma of of her break up with Nicky the last time, James' death and the birth of Jaime had had a profound affect on them both. Now she and Nicky complimented one another, their friendship, like their love and respect, had increased. If Nicky still wanted her, she knew that this relationship would work, and, more importantly, he adored Jaime and her little girl adored him. Of course it all depended on whether or not Nicky could trust her enough to get involved with her again; it would be perfectly understandable if he was unable to.

Nicky beamed brightly when Alexis stood beside him. “You look stunning Lex, I love you.” He then glanced behind her, winking at Jaime, who was dressed in a beautiful pink Princess dress, clutching her mum's bouquet. “You look beautiful too Princess.”
Jaime did a little twirl for him, glad to show off her new outfit. They had bought it for her 5th birthday, but when Jaime said she liked it better than her bridesmaid dress, both agreed that it would be perfect for her to wear. Two year old Aaron held his sister's hand when she eventually stopped curtseying and twirling to show off her dress, a little overcome by all the people watching him in the church.

“I'm so pleased that your mum and dad are looking after Jaime and Aaron for us,” smiled Nicky mischievously, twirling his new bride around the dance floor.
“Oh, why is that?”
“Because I have plans to make a honeymoon baby,” he whispered seductively.
“I like the sound of that,” she giggled back rather coyly. “I am so happy, I love you so much Nicky.”
“And that's the way I intend to keep it!”

The End.

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