Temptation(26)

“Not only did you help bring him into this world; you gave me the perfect idea for an alternative name for him.” Alexander, oh shit she has named him after me. No, don’t do that, I didn’t do anything. I was so overwhelmed by her sentiment; I was about to boil over with emotion from the past day’s events.

“That’s lovely Lucy, it really is.” I didn’t have anything else to say.

“No, thank you Alexis. I mean it; you really were a god send yesterday, not only me but Bryce, it’s the least I can do.” I was feeling really uncomfortable, I didn’t want any recognition.

“I bought Rick and the kids in with me, they are just outside, do you mind if I introduce you and Alexander? Charli is very excited.”

“Sure, of course bring them in.” I introduced my family to Lucy, she was great, she had a knack of speaking to you as though she had known you for years. Charlotte was in love with baby Alexander and Lucy let her sit up on the bed for a cuddle. We didn’t stay long as Alexander was not far away from his next feed, we said our goodbyes and Charlotte gave baby Al, as she so aptly named him, the blue teddy she picked in the gift shop.

We walked into the lobby, Charlie was on the phone and gave us an excited wave.

“He sure is excited to see you.” Rick gave me a nudge.

“Shut up, he bats for the other team stupid.” I gave him a little hip and bump.

“So who wants to see the Aquarium?”

“The Aquarium, sick!” ‘Sick’ was Nate’s word of the month, last month it was ‘Totes’. I showed Rick and the kids the Aquarium and sundeck, Charlotte was disappointed she didn’t have her bathing suit.

“There are plenty of chances to come for a swim Charli, just not today, anyway didn’t you want to see what a Penthouse was like?” Her little eyes lit up.

“Come on then.”

The elevator doors opened, there was no evidence of anyone around, I could normally hear a low murmur whenever Bryce was in his office.

“So this is Mummy’s desk.”

“It’s so high up Mum, don’t you feel height sick?” Lol, height sick, I love how her little mind works.

“Only when you look down.”

“Mum, I need to go to the toilet.”

“Of course you do, Nate do you need the toilet too?” He shook his head.

“Good stay here with Dad and we’ll be back in a minute.” I took Charlotte through to the toilet.

“Mum this place is so Cool! I want to work here when I grow up.” She was sniffing her clean hands, I must admit even I was a fan of the hand wash here.

“I thought you wanted to be a Vet?”

“I changed my mind, this is so cool.” We made our way back through the conference room and I could hear Rick talking. Oh shit, it’s Bryce. I took a deep breath and opened the door into the reception.

“Alexis, can’t get enough of the place?” You guessed it, he was ‘smirking’. I managed a fake laugh, maybe too fake.

“Yeah, you just can’t keep me away. No, Charlotte was very keen to see where Mummy worked. Charlotte this is Mr Clark, Mummy’s boss, and this is my son Nate and my husband…….”

“Rick, yes we have already introduced ourselves, so Charlotte have you ever seen a Helipad?”

“No, what’s a Helipad?” She looked at me all wide eyed.

“It’s where Helicopters land, silly.” Nate was acting cool in front of Bryce.

“Come and meet the Crow.” Bryce gestured towards his office, I gave him a snide glare but quickly corrected it to a smile when Rick looked my way. He led us out to the Helipad and introduced the kids to the ‘Crow’ which I’d now cottoned on was in fact the Helicopter.

“Do you fly it? Asked Nate, he was dropping his tough boy façade now.

“Yeah, all the time, would you like a ride?” I jumped in very quickly.

“No, no, not today, maybe some other time.”

“Aaaaw Mum, can we?”

“No not today, Mr Clark is a very busy man, maybe next time.” I shot Bryce a ‘don’t even think about it’ look, he registered my expression and offered a compromise.

“That’s alright maybe next time. Nate, Mum tells me you like Astronomy? Maybe you’d like to have a look at my Observatory?”

“Sweet.” Oh yeah, another past word of the month. It was Rick who started asking questions next.

“So, how often do you take her out?” Fuck, where did this come from. Was it that obvious?

“Never, why?” I said defensively. Rick looked at me confused.

“At least once a week.” Bryce offered.

“Too easy, must be nice and quiet up in the air with no other traffic, or having to fight for a parking spot?” Oh, the Helicopter, stupid me. Rick tried to make out it was a joke, but I sensed he was having a stab.