Page 101 of Thick as Thieves
“Well buy a new pair and alternate whilst they’re getting done. The saddler’s here today, isn’t he? Get him to sort them.”
“Dare I go into that workshop to get them?” he asks, finally acknowledging our odd state of dress, staring at Xander, shirtless. His chest is a mess of blood, bites, welts, nicks, and scratches. Hard to tell where the wire ends and I begin.
“Yeah, it’s safe. Bring mine back while you're there,” he sniggers out to Marshall. “I’m taking my wife to bed.”
Marshall pointedly looks at his watch. “You haven’t time for that. Young Russell phoned. He’s on his way back to London. Needs you there at 8 o’clock tonight. Seeing his mother at his house, he says. And Evie, you have an appointment at the doctors. Lori phoned. She’s rescheduled it to today, but that’s at three o'clock so you better get a wriggle on. Are you leaving the twins here? I’m happy to supervise, and Valentina and Maria are here.”
I nod. “If we can. I can get done and we can all either stay there tonight and come back tomorrow or leave really late tonight with less traffic.”
“We’ll see how Kell is. If he’s fine to travel, he’ll rather come home than stay in London,” Xan says, touching my face. “I know because he keeps phoning and saying it.”
“Best get sorted then. We’ll leave Darryl here, and Orla and the kids are here. Bug might come back up to London with us.” I make the plan and we go get organised.
We leave Marshall to brave the workshop, and I’m dragged up to our room. Coat pulled off and pushed into the shower, I’m washed, fondled, stroked, and made love to. “I need my fix,” he states.
“We just spent six hours in your workshop.” I shake my head in amazement.
“Yes, but I’ll not see you for an hour or so tonight. You surely don’t want to come to see Rowena.” He’s laughing, justifying his actions.
“Not if I can help it. I might see Jonno, though. I think he’s back today.”
“Why are you at the doctors? Are you not feeling good?” he asks, concern pouring out of him. He is such a juxtaposition. So vulnerable, worried about us all the time, totally attuned to our moods and emotions. And then it’s as if a switch gets flicked and he is so freaking alpha, in charge, detached and in control. But, I think after last night, not detached at all. Thoughtful, considerate, and selfless. My pleasure the only thing that mattered to him.
“I’m fine. It’s Dr. Theodore. I’m sorting stuff out. My periods haven’t started back after I finished feeding the twins. I thought it would come straight back, but it hasn’t, so I just want to get checked and maybe sort out contraception.”
“I’m sorry I never made Kell tell you about his op. He was a bit of a mess himself over the decision, the fear in his eyes, he…” he trails off, his face a picture of guilt. “Well, we should have said, a discussion. Oh, God.” He scrubs his face and hair.
“I can’t change it now, but it was a huge decision, and one that affects me. I suppose, like getting contraception. Should I?” I’m biting my lip nervously. I’ve never thought about this before, but, like Kell’s decision, this decision affects us all.
He looks at me like I’ve gone mad. “If you want to,” he says, clearly not comprehending what I’m asking him.
“Do you want me to get a coil fitted? Or…”
He’s still staring at me, utterly confused. “What are you asking me Evie?” His face and voice are so gentle.
“Do you want a baby, Xander?” I reply in the same gentle tone, before throwing my hands in the air, shaking my head.
He just stands there looking dumbstruck. “A baby,” he whispers. “My baby.” His eyes bore into me, his face intense. “You would want a baby with me?”
Tears spring to my eyes as I look at this beautiful man. “Of course I do. I love you, Xander. I’m your wife as well as Kellen’s. I would?—”
He steps forwards and kisses me, and if I thought he was intense last night, it has nothing on this kiss. It’s from the depths of his soul. I can literally feel his life force flowing into me.
“Xander,” I breathe out.
“No contraception, just get checked out,” he says, kissing me again. “A baby,” he breathes. “My own, with you and Kell.”
I think he’s gone into shock. He keeps repeating it as he pulls me onto the bed, touching and kissing me.
We’re very late setting off and Bug laughs at Xan all the way to London, as he can’t string a sentence together.
50
Xander
London
We letDr. Theodore know we’re going to be late and she pushes the appointment back to 5:00 p.m. I’m a mess. My brain is getting no further than Kitten asking me if I want a baby with her. I never thought I’d have any children biologically. I never thought she would want any more. She has three—well, four if you count Bucky. And we certainly do. And I already think of the twins, James, and Bucky as mine.
