Series 13: Ties that bind (Continuation of Blood Lines)

[ss9]

Thanks here is the last part of episode 1. As I am working on the other christmas story I won't be starting episode 2 until after the fesitivities are concluded, and yes I promise the christmas story will be updated frequently I've got to get it done before the big day after all.

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“The truth?” Jackson swallowed nervously, the question was which truth since there were so many floating around at the moment. Yet since the likelihood of Krystle knowing any of his own deep dark secrets or the truth about Jess, her father and her poor mother, that sweet wisp of a girl long gone. Krystle surely meant the other truth…the one about Blake and Alexis. The only question left was exactly how much Krystle did know and how much was she just guessing, coming here hoping to trick him into confirming it.

Krystle could here the nerves in Jackson’s voice. The way his normally deep and soothing tenor voice broke slightly over the word. Even his eyes widened as he glanced about trying to avoid her gaze.

“It’s alright Jackson I know and I’m not angry with you for keeping it from me…I just wish I understood why?”

“But how could you know?” Jackson all but stuttered his handsome face creased in a frown, he had only discovered Alexis and Blake were reconciling because Carrington had appeared at breakfast. So how could Krystle have found out so soon? Unless of course Blake had found the balls to tell her himself, yet somehow Jackson doubted that was true.

“Its amazing the things you learn by accidentally eavesdropping.” Krystle answered softly her blue eyes locking softly on Jackson stunned and worried expression.

“And you are really alright with it?”

Chuckling Krystle admitted. “Well I was a little shocked, it did come out of left field but the important thing in this is the family. As long as my family isn’t hurt by this then how can I object…it only makes it bigger and they do say bigger is better don’t they?”

Shaking his head in amazement Jackson was stunned by the depth of selflessness of this woman. “Carrington is a fool you know.”

Blushing at his blunt praise Krystle brushed it aside. “Blake has his redeeming features. He is a good father, he loves his children…” Krystle added softly pausing as Jackson scoffed. “You don’t really know him Jackson Blake adores Krystina and Fallon has him wrapped finger.”

“But he’s not quite so understanding of his sons now is he?” Jackson retorted and Krystle couldn’t deny that, after all Blake hadn’t had the easiest of relationships with Adam or Steven and heaven knows what had happened between him and this other mysterious son of his but that didn’t mean it was all Blake’s fault.

Sighing Krystle could only shrug, glancing up at Jackson from beneath her eyelashes. “Blake doesn’t like to talk about it but I suspect he had a somewhat difficult relationship with his own father and that affected how he is with his sons.”

“That doesn’t make it right…”

“No but it does make him human.” Krystle countered relieved when the scowl finally vanished from Jackson’s brow.

“Alright you win now can we stop talking about Blake Carrington and his many psychological issues….Come on I have a surprise for you!” Jackson purposefully changed the subject, deliberately ignoring Krystle and her attempt to protest. “Now come on it is a pleasant one…”

“Jackson…” Krystle mock glowered as Jackson smirked at her and held out his hand.

“Pretty please?” Jackson teased fluttering his eyelashes dramatically, smiling in relief when Krystle laughed and took his hand.

“So this surprise…”

“Won’t be one if I tell you!” Jackson insisted leading Krystle down from his office and across the yard into the new stable block where the muted sounds of horses neighing and rustling their bedding soothed them both.

Coming to a standstill in front of the largest loosebox Jackson waved Krystle forward with a knowing grin, watching with pleasure as her own face lit up.

“She had the foal!”

“Yes I came down this morning to find our new arrival waiting for me.” Jackson replied moving to join Krystle at the stable door, their shoulders brushing as they gazed inside at the suckling foal who still staggered around on unsteady legs. “I saved the honour of naming our newest arrival for you!”

“For me?” Krystle beamed her joy lanced suddenly as echoing through the stable block came a rather familiar sounding laugh, that was accompanied a moment later by a familiar tinkle laugh that Krystle had once heard compared to a sliver of moonlight...or some such nonsense

“Krystle wait…” Yet Krystle ignored Jackson’s plea to wait. Unable to stop herself, it was like she was being pulled towards the other end of the stable block like a fish caught on a hook being slowly pulled towards shore.

In the end she simply stood in the open doorway her eyes providing the proof that her heart had suspected and the truth that she hadn’t dared give voice. There with his arms intimately about Alexis as he helped her lift down the heavy saddle, taking the opportunity to press a loving kiss to her cheek was Blake.

“Blake I told you it’s fine I can manage...” Alexis began her words dying on her lips as she turned in his arms and caught sight of their onlooker for the first time art of her unable to resist needling her former rival. “Well hello Krystle fancy seeing you? Did you need us for anything in particular or did you just come to watch?”

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[Corporate Paige]

Krystle may handle this with grace and poise. On the other hand, there may be a catfight. I look forward to her reaction after the holidays.

[ss9]

Series 13: Ties that Bind
Episode 2: Someone New

When Blake Carrington woke that morning from a rather amorous dream that involved him Alexis and a deserted beach he was clutching his guest pillow in his arms. Slightly embarrassed Blake quickly set the pillow back in it’s proper place, trying to smooth out the creases.

Turning on to his back Blake took several deep calming breaths…trying to clear his mind of those provocative thoughts and at the same time convince Blake Jnr to do the same. It would have been much easier to take the problem in hand, quicker and less uncomfortable certainly, but somehow after everything he had gone through with Alexis the previous day it felt wrong…disrespectful.

Something had happened to make Alexis uncomfortable, no that was too tame a description, Alexis had been frightened when he had tried go further than she had been comfortable with. Some one had hurt her and Blake was going to find out who had done, and when he did he would ensure they came to feel every second of torment that Alexis had at their hands, no matter who they were. Blake was under no illusions that it had to have been someone powerful, someone who for professional or personal reasons Alexis was unable to deal with herself.

Still in the meantime Blake had promised Alexis he would wait, he would restrain himself and put her needs first and if that meant sharing in her abstinence for however long she needed then Blake ought to be prepared to make that sacrifice.

However as he groaned in discomfort Blake wasn’t under any illusions that keeping that promise would be easy or at all pleasant but Alexis’s love and regaining her trust was more important.

Besides his lack of a sex life was the least of his worries right now…

No Blake other problems to deal with chief among them was a certain other ex-wife.

Krystle’s reaction to discovering him and Alexis had not been pretty.

“Well hello Krystle fancy seeing you? Did you need us for anything in particular or did you just come to watch?”

“I….I…”

“Oh look we broke her.” Alexis teased mercilessly. “My my if this was all it was going to take I would have cornered Blake in a stable years ago.” She drawled before draping her arms around Blake’s neck and reaching up to seductively nibble on his ear.

Groaning Blake knew Alexis was playing up to their audience and that he should stop this before it got out of hand or descended into a cat fight…but damn the things that woman could do with her tongue…

“Are you going to stand there and let her insult me like this?”

Swallowing nervously Blake felt caught between a rock and a hard place. Yet he had made his choice, and that choice was Alexis.

“Krystle please now is not the time for this, Alexis and I didn’t invite you here…”

“You…I…I don’t believe this, you’re the ones who are…and how can you try and turn it around on me?”

“Oh my are we committing some sort of crime all of a sudden?” Alexis taunted. “I mean this is my land, in fact Blake and I have gone out of way today to be discrete, we’re hardly flaunting ourselves in the middle of Denver and its not like we were fornicating for all to see…or are your sensibilities offended simply because it’s me he‘s with?”

“But you said you’d never take him back…” Krystle blustered her sapphire blue eyes locking on Alexis’s emeralds. “I asked you not once but twice and both time you said couldn’t trust him!”

“Yes…” Alexis paused before glancing up at Blake who met her gaze and held it, his dark eyes boring into Alexis’s and for a moment it was almost as if they were the only two people in the world, “but that was before…everything is different now.”

Smiling down at her Blake sighed when Alexis returned his small smile with one of her own leaning down to rest his forehead against hers as they happily drank in the other’s presence before a pointed cough snapped them both back to the present.

Standing awkwardly in the doorway Jackson Hobbs stood scratching his head… “Well I’d say the cat is definitely out of the bag now…”
Leaning back against his pillows Blake sighed. Jackson was right about one thing though. If the cat wasn’t out of the bag now it soon would be and Blake couldn’t help but worry how Alexis would feel about that? Everything was still so new and fragile between them and Blake would do anything he could to protect it. Even if that meant talking to Krystle and swallowing his pride enough to ask her for a favour.

[ss9]

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Oh god his hands were good...and what this man could do with his tongue had Fallon practically arching off the bed.

Writhing she clutched at the bed sheets…so close and then…

“Mummy Mummy wake up LB has taken my doll and won’t give it back.”

Gasping for breath and other reasons a very red faced Fallon Carrington Colby sat up in bed glancing around in confusion when apart from her tear faced daughter she was in fact alone in the room.

“Where did Dex go?” She spluttered without thinking and it wasn’t until Lauren frowned at her in confusion that Fallon realised she must have said that out loud and that the whole thing hadn’t been real in the first place.

“Dex moved out Mummy remember…he took baby Jack with him…I miss Jack he was so much better than my dolls.” Lauren replied innocently, ignorant of the way her mother groaned in embarrassment and hung her head.

“Mummy are you sick, does your tummy hurt?”

“No sweetheart I’m just fine.” Fallon replied hastily reaching for her robe and tugging it on as she tried to shoo her three year old daughter from the room. “Now what was it you needed me for? Something about LB?”

Sufficiently distracted Lauren launched into another rant about her brother taking her toy and it not being fair and so on. Nodding along Fallon promised to come sort it out as soon as she was dressed. Thus pacified Lauren left her mother’s room, completely unaware of her mother’s preoccupation.

Finally alone Fallon allowed herself a groan of frustration. That had not just happened…except that it had a nagging voice reminded her and there was no way of denying the lingering awareness that continued to hum throughout her body.

Still it was only a dream, and dreams didn’t have to mean anything. It was just nature’s way of telling her she had been without a man in her bed for far too long. It didn’t mean she was actually attracted to Dex, physically he was a good looking man, so that was all it had to be…physical attraction only.

And there were plenty of other men that Fallon found physically attractive, one in particular lived under this very roof…Jackson…Yes he could very well be a solution to this whole mess. After all Fallon found him very attractive and his skills in the bedroom were very distracting and that was precisely what she needed right now…distracting from Dex Dexter and those damn chocolate brown eyes of his that for some reason she couldn’t imagine Fallon just couldn’t get out of her head.

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[Corporate Paige]

I can't wait until Fallon figures out that she and Jackson aren't compatible in bed anymore. I think that he's ready to move on with poor Krystle, who deserves someone who truly wants her for herself. I was so happy to see an update today. What a great way to ring in the new year!

[ss9]

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By contrast Alexis Carrington Colby had also had her sleep disturbed by dreams, but unlike her daughter hers were more of the nightmare variety. It seemed the more she resolved to put it behind and not think about it again, the more that night with Ethan came back to haunt her and what made it worse was not knowing if these were actually memories or simply her brain trying to fill in the blanks for her.

At first Alexis had thought the drug fuelled haze that had fogged her memory of that night would be a blessing but now the simple not knowing what had happened other than the obvious made Alexis sick to her stomach. There were snatches of clear patches but the rest of it was a blur and the fear of just what Ethan might have done during those times filled her with dread.

What if he had taken pictures? Or even worse had filmed them together? What if he sent them to Blake or to one of those sick publications?

He was certainly sick enough that was for sure, but Alexis could only console herself with the fact that Ethan seemed to have been as out of it as she had been, hardly dexterous enough to operate a camera. Still that logic didn’t help at two O’clock in the morning when Alexis found herself shooting upright in bed still trembling and gripped in the throws of her nightmare.

It was at times like that that Alexis found herself missing the reassuring presence of someone else in her bed. Strong arms that could hold her and calm her fears and promise her that everything was going to be alright. Yet Alexis knew it was far too soon to be taking such a step with Blake even if it was just to sleep side by side.

Last time Blake had barely had to lift his little finger and she had fallen in line and back into his bed. True the circumstances had been completely different and Alexis couldn’t blame herself for how she had behaved back then. Still she was older and wiser than that Alexis Colby.

No this time Blake Carrington was going to have to romance her properly. There would be no whirlwind proposal and hurried marriage nor immediately moving in together this time. Blake had her heart but he was going to have to earn her trust and any steps forward in their relationship would be at her discretion.

Still at least Blake had received that message…or at least it appeared he had, judging by the beautiful arrangement of Lavender roses that were waiting for her in the hallway when she emerged draped in a cream silk robe for breakfast.

“Oh Mrs Colby this also just arrived.”

Smiling as she spied the beautifully wrapped box Alexis eagerly took her present out of Lin’s hands, focusing on that and not the closed door to the empty nursery as she walked past it to the dining room. It was still far too early for Fallon to have risen but already Alexis could hear her grandchildren squabbling and that at put a smile on her face.

“Put the flowers in my study would you Lin?” Alexis instructed her mojodomo as she settled herself down at the breakfast table and poured herself some coffee.

Waiting until she was alone Alexis couldn’t contain herself any longer, ripping at the delicate printed paper like a three year old at their Christmas present. Lifting the lid of the box for a moment Alexis blinked in surprise, then her eyes registered what they were seeing… Not something sparkling like she had expected but a newspaper clipping.

“Oh my god.”

With a trembling hand Alexis lifted out the folded out article her stomach dropping as she recognised only too easily Senator Roberts.

Yet worse still under the clipping was a note in a familiar hand that made her blood chill to ice in her veins.

Your list of sins is growing…I wonder what our mutual friend would have to say about it? TC.

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[Corporate Paige]

From EH to TC, he's not very clever, is he? The threat isn't even that bad. I'm wondering when Dex and Blake will finally have to sit down over business. I look forward to reading about that.

[akte]

I wonder if the threat is about their 'night' or maybe an accusation of Alexis involvement in that Australian Senator's death.

[ss9]

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To say Krystle Carrington was shaken would have been an understatement of the first order. In fact it had taken until well into yesterday afternoon, until it was time to pick Krystina up from school to calm down enough that her hands stopped shaking.

Blake and Alexis…dear god every time Krystle closed her eyes she could see them together and it hurt, it hurt far more than it should do.

Perhaps it was because up until now all thoughts of Blake and Alexis together had been academic, in that Krystle knew it had happened but she hadn’t been able to put a picture to it. Oh she could imagine it…her dreams had been full of taunting images but Krystle had been able to console herself with the fact that they weren’t real.

She couldn’t do that any longer. Every time she closed her eyes she could see them.

And what made it hurt worse was so stupid…part of Krystle almost wished she had caught them in full swing in the stable, at least then she would have felt more disgusted than anything. In all her dreams that was what she had pictured, Blake seduced by Alexis’s more than ample charms…the victim of Alexis’s seduction, that the only attraction between them was one based on lust.

Lust was a failing, a weakness she could understand and eventually excuse…Blake was just a man after all.

Yet every time she closed her eyes it wasn’t wanton lust she saw…it was tenderness and empathy and a sense of symbiosis that stabbed her deep in the heart. They loved each other, really loved each other and that was the unsettling thing.

She had really lost him this time.

On returning home to the mansion Krystle’s first thought had been to flee, to take Krystina and run far away so she wouldn’t have to face that sort of scene ever again. Yet as Krystina had prattled on happily, talking about what she wanted to get her father for his birthday and then dropping large hints about her own birthday a few weeks later Krystle hadn’t been able to disrupt her daughter’s happy little world.

So instead she buried how she was feeling…for now at least.

She got dressed and since it was a Saturday she took Krystina over to the farm for her morning riding lesson, staying to watch so she had a valid excuse to be away from the house when the rest of the family would normally be descending for breakfast. Somehow Krystle doubted her resolve not to make a scene would last through the first subsequent meeting with Blake and if she could delay it the longer the better…at least until she wasn’t feeling quite so raw.

“Morning Krystle.”

Startled by the greeting Krystle all but jumped out of her skin in surprise. “Steven my goodness I didn’t see you there.”

Smiling Steven nodded his blue eyes narrowing slightly in concern. “You did seem to be away with the fairies there, you alright?”

“Oh I’m fine.” Krystle lied covering it up with a smile that did little convince Steven any.

“You sure?”

“Steven please just let it go.”

Sighing Steven nodded before joining her at the fence to the ménage watching in silence as Krystina put her pony through its paces.

“She’s good.” Steven commented after a few moments uneasy silence. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she rivals her mother in a few years.”

“She already rivals me now.” Krystle replied turning and watching Steven out of the corner of her eye as the wind ruffled his blonde hair, the tenseness of his jaw despite the pleasant surroundings all the sign she needed that something was wrong.

“But you didn’t come out here just to watch Krystina ride did you Steven?”

Snorting in wry amusement Steven shook his head, glancing up at Krystle impishly from beneath his fair hair. “I never could put one over on you could I Krystle?”

“Is it Danny, do you want to talk about yesterday?”

“Yes….and no…I think a large part of what is wrong with me and Danny is what is wrong with me.” Steven confessed. “I know I am not being the best father at the moment but…”

“You have other things on your mind?” Krystle prompted Steven’s slight blush giving her a clue. “Or someone?”

“Are you sure you’re not psychic?” Steven teased. “Yeah I have met someone new…in New York.”

“And?”

“And…he’s great.” Steven replied briefly yet from the way he avoided meeting Krystle’s gaze she knew there was more, she only needed to wait and Steven would cave.

“I haven’t told him about Danny.”

There it was and Krystle was surprised. Of all the things it could have been that Steven’s interest was married or a democrat Krystle had not expected the problem to have been Danny…or Steven’s partner’s reaction to him.

“Why not?”

“I don’t know…I just met him by chance and I hadn’t expected it to last…and then by the time it became more serious it was almost like it was too late. How do you just dump that on someone, oh by the way sorry I didn’t mention it before but I have an eight-year-old son? I guess I am just worried how he will react… and with the way Danny is behaving lately…”

“You’re afraid that will put him off?”

“Well yeah I really like him, Paul that is, and he makes me feel better about myself like I haven’t felt in a while…things are just so simple…”

“And Danny will complicate things.” Krystle answered for him playing the role of Devil’s advocate to a tee watching as Steven squirmed.

“God that makes me sound like a terrible father.” Steven sighed running his hands through his hair in a gesture that was so familiar it caused the breath to catch in Krystle’s throat.

“It doesn’t sound great.” Krystle admitted.

“I want you to be happy Steven and if this Paul makes you happy then that is wonderful but it can’t be at your son’s expense. Danny is your son and when you become a parent, even if it isn’t exactly by choice, you have to put what that child wants and needs before what you want.” Krystle added, knowing only too well how it feels to be caught in that particular conundrum, she was living it.

“You’re right but what I can I do?”

“The only thing you can do.” Krystle replied reaching up and squeezing Steven’s shoulder. “If this Paul cares about you the way you do about him and if he really is the right one for you then it shouldn’t matter that you have a child. Give him some credit and tell him the truth…let him decide if you are worth it Steven, god knows I think you are!”

Smiling as he fought back his tears Steven pulled Krystle into a hug. “Thank you…I will…I’ll fly back to New York and tell him straight away, if I don’t I’ll probably lose my nerve.”

“It’ll be alright Steven.” Krystle soothed him resting her head on Steven’s broad shoulder as she blinked back her own tears, composing herself before Steven went to pull away.

“Oh and before I forget…Dad was looking for you…I don’t know what it was about, but from the look on his face it must have been important.” Steven paused watching the way Krystle’s face seemed to freeze. “There isn’t something going on between the two of you I should be aware of is there?”

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[Corporate Paige]

So much wonderful writing to welcome in the new year! You've been busy and I'm glad to have so much to read in one day. I also love your other story on FF.net. I'm glad that Krystle and Steven are back to being close again. I hope that he takes Krystle's advice. Danny really needs him around more. He needs to put his son first. Update soon.

[ss9]

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Ok so perhaps it was a little cruel.

No scratch that Dex knew he was here to get his own measure of payback but considering how badly he had been used he supposed that a little petty vindictive rubbing of salt into the wound could be excused. That’s why he had chosen to do this now rather than wait until Monday when Alexis might be safely out of the way at Colby Co, she needed to face what she had given up when she had chosen Blake over him.

So it was with this thought in mind that Dex arrived at Colby Acres, the back of his car filled with empty boxes.

Knocking at the door Dex wasn’t surprised when Lin answered the door with his usual unflappable calm.

“Good Morning Mr Dexter.”

“Morning Lin I am here to gather my possessions unless you are under orders to keep me off of the premises?” Dex grunted.

“No such orders exist Mr Dexter, I am sure if Mrs Colby wanted you excluded she would not have hesitated to inform me so.” Lin answered politely as if merely commenting about the weather.

“Oh I have no doubt about it…unless she’s been too preoccupied.” Dex mumbled bitterly under his breath before following Lin into the house, unable to stop himself from asking. “Are the happy couple currently in residence?”

As diplomatic as always Lin’s answer was concise and gave away nothing else. “Mrs Colby has gone riding I am not sure when she will be back.”

“And Mr Carrington?” Dex couldn’t resist asking, like a splinter in his finger he couldn’t resist prodding it even though it stung. “Is he out riding too?”

“I haven’t seen Mr Carrington this morning Mr Dexter... Might I suggest you enquire at the Carrington Mansion with Gerard if you need to contact him, I would be happy to telephone on your behalf?” Lin added his dark eyes serene and yet knowing as Dex squirmed slightly under his gaze.

“No thank you.” Dex answered like a chastised school boy. It had been unfair of him to put Lin in that position, Alexis was his employer and Dex knew Lin took his position as mojodomo seriously, guarding his employer’s privacy was his honour and duty.

“I did take the liberty of starting to gather your things together as per Mrs Colby’s instruction. I have placed them in one of the guest rooms…of course Master Jack’s belongings are still in the nursery.”

“Thank you Lin I’ll start in the guest room…would you have the boxes from the back of my car brought in?” Dex asked handing his car keys over to him and Lin accepted them leading Dex to the guest room before disappearing out to the car.

Taking a deep breath Dex turned the handle and stepped inside. There laid out on the bed neatly folded were his freshly laundered clothes. Shoes were set in regimental lines and even some of the paperwork for the Brazilian Mining project that Dex thought he had misplaced was stacked on the bedside table. Other than that there was a small box with the few memento’s Dex had gathered over the years and that he had cared enough about to move out of the apartment. A framed picture of Jack as a newborn and in the matching frame a picture of Alexis laughing that had been taken down in Acapulco…the oil conference…back when they had still been married.

Shutting the double frame so he didn’t have to look at Alexis’s laughing mocking face a moment longer Dex’s scowl only deepened when he caught sight of another item…a velvet ring box…That little bitch…Dex bit the inside of his cheek and clenched his fists.

He had dropped that in Fallon’s room the night this whole mess began…the night he accused of Fallon of stealing the engagement ring he had brought for Alexis. If she hadn’t taken the ring things might have been completely different now…If he had actually proposed to Alexis when he had intended, they might even be married and raising Jack in a proper family. If…

If if’s and ands were pots and pans there’d be no need for tinkers…

Damn Alexis. He could hear her voice so clearly in his head, her and those damn old English sayings that didn’t seem to make any damn sense whatsoever.

Just what was it going to take to get this woman out of his head and out of his heart? Dex didn’t know and part of him couldn’t help but wonder if he really wanted to in any case. He had sworn he was over her this time…once and for all and yet here he was turning up to pack his belongings in person just so he would have the opportunity to twist the knife in over Jack…or was it just a chance to see her? To make Alexis realise just what she was loosing and give her one last chance to change her mind?

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[Corporate Paige]

Dex is torturing himself over lack of control. Alexis had all the power in that relationship. Hopefully Dex will find someone else to be with that shares control in a relationship. Well done.

[Sarah13]

Good update! I have to say I'm as torn as Dex, I don't know who I like Alexis w/ better, Blake or Dex! Great writing!

[ss9]

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Blake knew the moment Krystle had returned to the mansion. Even seated comfortably in the library trying to catch up on all of his business affairs he could hear Krystina’s excited chatter. Knowing it was now or never, and that it was better to talk to Krystle now before she vanished once more Blake set his paperwork down and wandered out into the hallway; watching as Krystina rehashed her lesson step by step it seemed for the captive audience of her mother and Steven.

“And then…”

“Well I am glad to hear someone is turning into such a fine horsewoman.” Blake commented drawing attention to himself standing off to one side.

“Daddy you’re back!” Krystina exclaimed excitedly and Blake couldn’t help the pang of guilt as his youngest child rushed towards him and flung her arms about his neck. “When did you get back did you get me a present?”

Hugging Krystina close Blake could see the accusing glare on Krystle’s face and the curious expression on Steven’s.

“No not this time Krystina it was only a short trip.” Blake fibbed; able to quickly grasp the excuse Krystle must have fed their daughter in order to explain his sudden and unexpected disappearance after Amanda’s funeral. After all you didn’t tell an almost six year old that her father had collapsed and was in hospital, nor that instead of coming home to recuperate he had chosen to sneak off and spend time with his…well whatever Alexis was?

“That’s alright will you come and play with me? Steven brought me a new doll from New York and I want to have a tea party but Danny is all sulky in his room and won’t come out and play with me.”

Smiling indulgently Blake couldn’t possibly refuse. “Of course I will darling, why don’t you go and get changed and set it up…I just need to speak to your mother for a few minutes first.”

“I’d better go and check on Danny.” Steven added following a bouncing Krystina up the stairs and so willingly leaving Blake and Krystle to it. Something was up he knew it...he just wasn't sure what it was.

“Well shall we?” Blake asked hesitantly as Krystle continued to glower at him before reluctantly following him back into the library.

“I know what you are going to say Blake.” Krystle began defensively as soon as the door had shut behind her. “There is nothing I want to hear about this…you’ve made your choice, it’s your decision however idiotic it might be.”

“Krystle please…”

“I don’t want to hear about it, I don’t want to know why.” Krystle snapped cutting Blake off. “It was hard enough before knowing that you had gotten back with Alexis even after everything she put us both through, she blackmailed and bankrupted us…she caused the death of our first child.”

“That was a tragic accident and Alexis’s involvement was never proven and even if she was involved I am sure it was mere coincidence.” Blake muttered shaking his head. “Besides I am not here to rehash the past or explain myself or my choice that wasn’t why I wanted to talk to you.”

“It wasn’t?” Krystle questioned frowning in surprise.

“No.” Blake answered curtly. “We haven’t been a couple for sometime now and just as if you were to become involved with someone else that is your decision and you wouldn’t need to justify it to me. My reasons for pursuing a relationship with Alexis are my own.”

“Then what do you want to talk about other than to rub it in?”

Sighing Blake rubbed his forehead, he already had the beginnings of a headache. “Krystle please can we try and discuss this calmly. This was never meant as an attack on you, so please sit down so we can talk…All I am concerned about is how we go about managing things for Krystina. She seems to have adjusted well to us co-parenting her without being together as a couple and I wouldn’t want the fact that I am with Alexis to interfere with that.”

“Well she is going to notice Blake.”

“I know that, I hardly intend to hide it from her. Fortunately Krystina does like Alexis, I just want her to be assured that despite the things that will change her parents still love her the same and her life will change as little as possible.”

“Well I imagine she will notice when you move Alexis back in here. What happens then Blake are you planning on giving me any advance notice or were you just planning on throwing me out and moving Alexis in so the two of you can just take off where you left off?”

“No I promise you that will never happen the mansion is yours and Krystina’s home. I would never ask you to leave, I want Krystina to grow up in this house and not feel like an outcast in her own family.”

“But surely you can’t mean for us all live together?” Krystle spluttered in shock and horror, just imaging having look across the breakfast table every morning and seeing Alexis there hanging around Blake like a bad smell. Never being able to escape them, having scenes similar to that one in the stable thrust in her face everyday for the rest of her life, for however long or short that might be.

“Krystle please Alexis and I are hardly at that stage, we intend to take things slowly this time.” Blake insisted swallowing nervously as he added. “Which is why I would prefer it if you kept what you have learnt to yourself for the time being.”

“Well I was hardly planning on shouting it from the rooftops.” Krystle retorted her sapphire blue eyes narrowing on Blake’s face as he avoided her gaze. “What aren’t you telling me Blake?”

“Nothing it’s just the family has been through enough upheaval lately, the last thing we want is any more press attention and you know this is something that will catch their attention.”

“So you want me to lie for you?”

“No not lie just answer no comment if any reporters come digging.” Blake countered. “You worked in public relations for long enough Krystle you know how damaging another scandal could be right now.”

“And what about friends and family, am I supposed to lie to Steven or Jeff if they ask me? Just when exactly where you planning on telling the rest of the family about this Blake? They have a right to know too.”

“Dammit Krystle I don’t know…I don’t have all the answers yet. This just happened and Alexis and I have barely had the chance to discuss all the details…”

“Well maybe you should have spent your time together talking about the mess this is going to cause and how to solve it instead of canoodling in her stables.” Krystle retorted bitterly.

“We were doing nothing of the sort and we did talk, we spent the whole day talking…”

“What about the weather?” Krystle snorted shaking her head at Blake’s blatant lies. A woman like Alexis wouldn’t waste her time talking when she could get her claws deeper into Blake by dragging him into her bed.

“That is our business.” Blake snapped coming close to losing a grip on his temper as he forced his voice down to a more normal conversation level. “Look I am not asking you to lie, I am just asking for a little breathing space. We will tell the family and soon I promise but I need to discuss this with Alexis first. Alright?”

“Fine providing when things do change that next time you have the decency to tell me before making any big decisions and not leave me to stumble onto the truth, or next time did you plan on leaving Krystina to spot the engagement ring before telling us?”

“What I think is that as I have told you Alexis and I are nowhere near that stage and for Krystina’s sake none of us want this to become a damn media circus so please for now keep it to yourself.”

Smarting at Blake’s raised tone Krystle struggled to hold on to her own temper, yet she refused to allow Blake to goad her into a shouting match. “Fine for Krystina I will keep it to myself but you have to be the one to break the news to our daughter and today, one of us at least deserves to be dealt with properly.”

Sighing in relief Blake nodded, although uncomfortable that had gone better than expected. “Alright I’ll tell her…I’ll tell her today.”

---

[Corporate Paige]

I'm glad that Blake was honest with Krystle and is prepared to be honest with Krystina. Good update.

[ss9]

---

It really hadn’t taken long to pack his belongings and if he were a more sentimental soul Dex might have seen something telling in this…after all most of his life he had lived from one moment to the next. First in the army and then travelling around the country working on one rig or drilling site and then moving onto the next, living out of hotels or trailers, never staying in one place long enough to really put down any roots.

It was ironic that the longest time as an adult he had ever spent living in one place…a place he could actually call home was when he had been married to Alexis and living at the apartment. Although considering the number of times they fought and he ended up moving into the spare room or even out to La Mirage he could hardly consider the brief almost year they had been married as the most stable of times. Second only to that was these six months spent shuttling between his apartment and Colby acres.

And now he was packing up once more to move back to a hotel.

Jack deserved better than that. His son deserved the sort of stable, even if it was a little dysfunctional, home that Dex had himself enjoyed. Memories of being taught to ride his horse by his fath…by Sam, of his mother tucking him up in his own bed every night. Of feeling safe and secure in his own world until his mother’s death ripped that all apart.

So that settled it then…

“Hey there lover.” Dex froze as someone playfully slapped his backside as he bent over the last box taping it shut. “Since you’re free how about you give me another riding lesson?”

“How about you sexually harass the right person?” Dex spat back straightening up and turning around to see the colour blanch from Fallon’s face.

“You…what…” Fallon stammered crossing her hands across her chest, doing her best to try and cover herself up but the very sheer blouse buttoned low and the sinfully tight jeans left very little to the imagination.

“Wow something finally has shut you up.” Dex remarked bitterly raking his eyes up and down Fallon’s choice of outfit. “Let me guess you’re off to try and make a bit of extra pin money…or is this a new service The Carlton is offering and I am unaware of it?”

“You are disgusting.”

“Says the woman who just propositioned me by grabbing my arse. Tell me Fallon is that how you normally go around picking up your playboys?” Dex retorted enjoying the was Fallon blushed from the roots of her hair all the way down her neck and disappearing under the low collar of her blouse.

“What I do or don’t do is frankly none of your business Dex, it was quite clearly a case of mistaken identity I assure you!” Fallon argued hotly.

“Of course it was.” Dex added sarcastically. “I mean after all you’re not a woman to chase after your mother’s leftovers are you…oh no wait there was Mark…”

“Like you are one to talk?” Fallon scoffed her hands moving to her hips as she stalked closer. “Why are you really here Dex? You could have telephoned Lin and asked him to pack and ship your belongings. I think you’re here to see Mummy and cause trouble.”

“Well it’s a shame that I don’t particular care what you think.” Dex spat back tensing even as Fallon hit the nail right on the head.

“Well it’s either that or you’re the one come sniffing around Mother for scraps? What’s the matter Dex can’t take rejection like a man?” Fallon taunted, knowing her last comment had drawn blood from the way Dex avoided meeting her gaze. “Oh my did I hit a nerve?”

“You know one day someone might be tempted to shut that smart mouth up permanently.” Dex hissed hotly his eyes narrowing in anger as his blood pounded in his temples.

Laughing at Dex’s threat Fallon shook her head, chestnut curls bouncing about her shoulders. “Oh am I supposed to be scared? Please don’t try to act the tough guy Dex, everyone knows mother had you neutered years ago…”

“I said shut your mouth or I will.” Dex grunted through gritted teeth and clenched fists, as this time he had to fight the impulse to really slap Fallon’s mocking face.

“Oh I suppose you think you’re just the man to do it Mr Dexter, well you weren’t man enough for my mother…” Fallon began only to stop when Dex reached out and roughly grabbed her arm. “Let me go you thug…”

Leaning closer Dex’s dark eyes glinted dangerously as he all but whispered in Fallon’s ear. “And you will only ever be a pale imitation, living in mummy’s shadow.”

Ok so after that he really should have been expecting a slap, and Fallon didn’t disappoint. Yet when Dex still didn’t let her go she raised her hand again and this time Dex caught it before the blow landed.

“You do that again and this time I will hit you back…harder.” Dex all but growled his dark eyes boring down into Fallon’s blue eyes, her pupils so dilated he could barely see the blue as her breaths came faster and brushed against his face, some kind of electricity sparking between them. Leaning down Dex couldn’t help himself and as if anticipating his next move Fallon wetted her lips…

“That’s alright Lin I’ll take them.”

The sound of Alexis’s voice in the corridor was a metaphorical bucket of freezing cold water and Dex dropped Fallon’s arm backing away in shock and horror.

“Dex I know I am probably the last per…” Alexis’s hesitant voice cut through the tense atmosphere like a knife as she appeared at the doorway spare box in hand and glanced between her former lover and her daughter. “Fallon what are you doing here? Am I interrupting something?”

For a moment Dex stared into Alexis’s perplexed face. This was it. He had more than enough ammunition to lash out at the woman who had broken his heart and the selfish little brat who had started the whole process. All he had to do was tell Alexis how Fallon had come on to him…the visual evidence for which was more than a little damning right now anyway. He could hurt her the way she had hurt him and punish Fallon in the process.

The damning words were on the tip of his tongue and then…he couldn’t…he couldn’t do it, not willingly destroy another parent child relationship out of his own selfishness. “Nothing…You’re not interrupting anything. Fallon was just being her usual pleasant self.”

“Fallon?.. Fallon are you alright?” Alexis questioned turning her attention to her daughter, her suspicion turning to concern as her daughter seemed both flushed and shivering. “Are you alright you look like you’re coming down with something?” Alexis added reaching out to press her hand against her daughter’s forehead.

“Mother I’m fine.” Fallon insisted pushing her mother’s hand away.

“You’re not you’re burning up.”

“It’s nothing I just let Dex wind me up that’s all.” Fallon half lied watching the man in question out of the corner of her eye, unable to understand why he was covering for her? Unless Dex still secretly harboured hopes of getting her Mother back in which case admitting to almost kissing another of her daughters would sink that ship faster than any torpedo.

“Well then I suggest the two of you avoid each other. Now I would like to speak to Dex alone…if you don’t mind Fallon?”

“No...I don’t mind.” Fallon muttered crossing towards the door yet even as she left Fallon couldn’t keep her gaze from flickering over to Dex…somehow she would find out just what game Dex Dexter thought he was playing…no matter what it took to do so.

---

[Corporate Paige]

I am loving the Dex/Fallon pairing. I can't wait to read more.

[ss9]

---

The atmosphere was tense…although that was an understatement if she had ever heard one.

Standing just inside the doorway of the nursery still dressed in her boots and jeans from riding Alexis watched as Dex hovered in the middle of the room, staring about the perfect room she had created for their…no his son. The mural she had painted by hand and the bookcases filled with toys and books.

It looked too perfect to disturb and Dex didn’t have the first clue about what he should take in any case. Just taking any of it felt wrong, like he was clinging onto something that had never even been real to start with. “I don’t need any of this…”

“But you have too…I mean please these are Jack’s toys and his books…you know how he likes to be read too…”

“How would you know?” Dex spat back bitterly lifting his gaze to his former lover. “You haven’t been near him in a month.”

“Hardly by choice Dex.” Alexis countered her tone clipped. “I didn’t exactly choose for my daughter to drive her car off of a cliff.”

“No but you chose to go to Australia and you chose to throw us out of here…and lets not forget that you did choose Carrington.” Dex added watching as Alexis flinched at his accusation but otherwise remained steadfast.

“It was a little more complicated than that.”

“Whatever.” Dex shrugged glancing about the room, the perfect nursery, so much better than the crib in the corner of Dex’s bedroom of their suite. Yet it was all a lie, a perfect lie and he was the fool who had fallen for it. “I am really not interested in hearing your excuses not anymore, it won’t change anything will it? You made your choice and it sure as hell wasn’t Jack and I!”

“So just because I love Blake you assume that means I don’t care about you and Jack? I still care Dex…”

“You don’t care enough.” Dex countered his biting tone turning introverted as he couldn’t bear looking at her. “Not enough to choose us and that’s all that really matters.”

There was nothing Alexis could say that could counter that and another awkward silence descended until Alexis couldn’t bear it a moment longer. “I know you don’t think you need any of this but they are Jack’s things and he should have them…I can have them packed and sent to The Carlton or to the apartment if you prefer?”

“I really wouldn’t bother, there isn’t room for all this in the hotel and I don’t know whether we will go back the apartment…I might sell it, might move Jack back to Wyoming so he has a proper home, a proper childhood.”

“Wyoming but its so far away…”

Turning Dex raised an eyebrow at Alexis’s panicked tone. “That’s sort of the point. Far away from Denver sounds good right about now.”

“But Dex please I know you are hurt and angry right now but you shouldn’t make any hasty decisions you may regret.” Alexis added unable to hide the desperation in her voice. “And I know I haven’t got any right to ask but if I don’t ask then I will never know and I will only have myself to blame… I still want to be Jack’s mother…”

“You have got to be kidding me?” Dex couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Lady you gave up any right to Jack when you gave up me…”

“I know that!” Alexis retorted her eyes wide and pleading. “I knew when I made my choice, when I chose Blake over being with you that I would probably lose him…”

“There is no probably…” Dex muttered bitterly unable to hold her gaze as he clenched his fists and stared down into Jack’s empty crib. “You really do have a lot of nerve lady, how the hell can you ask me this? You break my heart and throw me away for Blake Carrington after everything he has put you through and you still expect me to share my child with you?”

“No I don’t expect.” Alexis answered softly shaking her head. “I hope…I love Jack Dex and you were the one who asked me to be his mother. Well regardless of how we feel about each other that hasn’t changed has it? He still needs a mother doesn’t he?”

“I…” The outrage and refusal was on the tip of Dex’s tongue.

“Look you don’t have to decide now the ball is in your court and I cannot blame you if you don’t want me in your son’s life no matter what promises you made before about never taking him away from me. About not using him as a weapon.” Alexis added, knowing her words struck home when Dex seemed to physically flinch.

Oh Alexis knew she was playing dirty, twisting and using Dex’s promise made in the heat of the moment in an effort to keep her by his side months ago against him. “But please don’t take him all the way to Wyoming…take some time to think about it first.”

“You could really ask this of me?” Dex asked amazed. “How much more do you want to take from me Alexis?”

“I just…I just can’t let another child go without a fight Dex.” Alexis replied softly walking across to the crib and reaching in for something.

“However I know it is your decision and I will respect it if you don’t want me in his life…But please think about it… and take this…” Alexis added thrusting a rather mangled bear into Dex’s hands. “Jack has trouble sleeping without it, I know it doesn’t look like much but it must be the smell or something.”

Dex had no choice but reluctantly accept it. Besides since leaving the ranch Jack had been unusually fussy going down, something Dex had thought was due to the change in his surroundings. “Alright I’ll take it but that doesn’t mean I want or need anything else…and it sure as hell doesn’t mean you have any say in my son’s life…but I will think about it some more before taking Jack to Wyoming. That’s all I am promising you!”

“Thank you.” Alexis replied and the relief in her voice was genuine. “How is he?”

For a moment Dex considered not answering. Just talking about Jack with Alexis was like grating over already raw nerves. Yet he had never been able to be deliberately cruel and Alexis was asking because she really did want to know. “He…He’s fine, he’s able to pull himself up now and balance a little. He’s making a lot of noise but not really saying anything. I imagine it won’t be too long before he starts walking.”

“He’s growing up so fast.” Jack had already grown so much, in a few weeks he wouldn’t be her baby anymore, he would turn one and become a proper little boy…a little boy who would barely remember her. Even though it pained her to ask and the answer probably wouldn’t ease her mind any Alexis couldn’t help herself. “Has he asked for me?”

“No. Not once. In fact I think he’s barely noticed you’re not there.” Dex lied swallowing down the feeling of satisfaction as Alexis flinched even as it sickened him. “Now if that is all you have to say I think I should be leaving…”

“Dex wait please.” Alexis pleaded reaching out and catching his arm as Dex tried to push past her. “Please.”

“Why?” Dex snapped his dark eyes narrowing down on the small hand still clutching his shirt. He could feel the warmth from her hand. “What more do you want from me? I said I’ll think about it before making any decisions. What more can you expect? Absolution?” Dex added lifting his gaze to bore into Alexis’s emerald eyes that seemed to shimmer with tears.

“I didn’t set out to hurt you Dex and I am sorry for what it is worth.” Alexis muttered softly her grip on his shirt tightening.

“It’s not worth much,” Dex countered sharply before sighing. “But it’s better than nothing I suppose, that’s if you mean it?”

“I mean it.” Alexis insisted gazing up at him. “And I know this is probably not the time but thank you for everything you did for me…I wasn’t exactly at my best the other day what with the funeral and Blake collapsing and I shouldn’t have just blurted it all out like I did…”

“Look Alexis I get it.” Dex cut her off pushing off her hand as just having Alexis so close, the smell of her perfume invading his senses and those large eyes gazing up at him so pleadingly…it was making him waver.

Was this all she had to do to reel him back him? Look at him with those damn eyes of hers? No he had come here intending to regain some of his own dignity, not give Alexis an opportunity to manipulate him. No he needed to remain strong and aloof and remember why he came here and if that took lashing out at her to accomplish…

“Let’s not kid ourselves Alexis you were only with me because it suited you at the time. It has always been about you, and what you want. You love Blake, you’ve always loved Blake and god knows you’ve always been selfish and single-minded when it comes to getting what you want, and god knows I know there is no stopping you when you’ve set your mind on something. You are very like Blake in that way… two of a kind. I can’t believe I was ever stupid enough to think things could be different. You were just using me. You’re the most selfish person I have ever known and I can only curse myself a fool for letting you fool me again.”

Reeling back from Dex’s sudden and venomous attack that had seemingly come out of nowhere Alexis couldn’t help but defend herself. “Well it seems I am not the only one who reverts to type Dex.” Alexis countered her emerald eyes turning cool as she pulled away insulted.

“What are you talking about?”

“Fallon.” Alexis replied pointedly her eyes narrowing as Dex shifted. “Just what really was going on earlier between the two of you?”

“I told you it was nothing.” Dex countered yet he was unable to meet Alexis’s gaze. “We were arguing. Your daughter has never been my greatest fan Alexis. Much like her mother she was expressing her delight that I was no out of the picture.”

“Funny it didn’t sound like you were arguing, surely I would have heard you. Now I am not an idiot Dex and you forget just how well I know you.”

“Just what is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh I think you know.” Alexis muttered. “Besides isn’t this what you usually do, find my nearest female relative and fall into bed with them in order to get your revenge? Now you have every right to be angry with me and want to lash out and hurt me but please don’t use Fallon to do it. She’s not as strong as everyone thinks she is and I won’t have you use her and hurt her.”

“Now you are imagining things Alexis there is nothing going on between Fallon and me…Although you do sound a little jealous… I can’t imagine Blake would be too pleased to hear you getting jealous over me.”

“I’m not jealous and I am not imagining things.” Alexis spat back “And that’s what you said about Amanda too if my memory serves.”

“…Nothing is going on between me and Fallon, nothing will ever happen between Fallon and me!”

“You swear it.”

“Not you have any right to dictate anything to me anymore but you have gotten the wrong end of the stick in this case.” Dex added testily. “Now if you have finished making ridiculous accusations and demands I will be going.”

Pushing past him Alexis moved to block the door. Drawing herself up to her full height Alexis tried to make herself look imposing. “Promise me Dex…Promise you will stay away from her.”

“Fine if that’s what it will take to get you to drop this.” Dex retorted leaning down to physically tower over Alexis, close enough that he could feel the heat from her body and the brush of her breath against his face, their gazes locked and Dex could still feel the pull towards her as he whispered. “You have my word…That at least means something to me.”

---

[Corporate Paige]

Oh, man! If he keeps his word, then there won't be a Dex and Fallon pairing. That would be a shame. Update soon!

[ss9]

---

Of all the things Blake had planned to do this morning sitting on the floor opposite Krystina whilst his daughter poured him out a pretend cup of tea had not been one of them.

“Here you go Daddy…Would you like a biscuit with your tea?”

Accepting the tiny teacup Blake could only nod and watch as his daughter glanced around before scrambling under her bed and retrieving a small tin from which she retrieved a couple of chocolate chip cookies. Handing one to her father Krystina raised a finger to her lips in a silencing motion.

“Why thank you sweetheart.” Blake added with a smile before taking one of Krystina’s secret cookies. “You know I am sure Mrs Gunnerson would be only too happy to let you have cookies for your tea parties if you asked her.”

“Oh but Mummy would say no…she thinks we have too many sweets.” Krystina replied in a stage whisper. “I heard her telling Mrs Gunnerson not to bake us any more cookies so I hide some…You won’t tell will you?”

“No I won’t tell.”

“Promise…Cross your heart?” Krystina prompted in all seriousness and Blake had to smother his own impulse to laugh.

“Cross my heart.” Blake replied making a crossing motion across his chest. “Actually I have a special secret to tell you…if you will promise not tell anyone either.”

“On pain of death?” Krystina asked dramatically and at this Blake had to chuckle.

“Well not quite that serious…where did you hear that expression anyway?”

“Danny likes reading about pirates.” Krystina replied simply shrugging as she munched on her own cookie and shuffled closer to her father. “So what is the secret?”

Setting his uneaten cookie down on the picnic blanket along with his toy teacup Blake held his arms out for his daughter who was only too happy to move into her father’s lap. “Now Krystina it really is important that you keep this to yourself.”

“I promise Daddy.”

“It’s about me and…about Alexis.” Blake began pausing to glance down at his daughter who stared up at him innocently. “You know how much I love you don’t you?…And you know I care about your mother but that your mother and I decided that we are happier just being your mummy and daddy and not being married to each other any more because we don’t love each other like married people need to love each other.”

“Because you love Alexis.” Krystina chipped in surprising her father to stunned silence.

“Yes because I do love Alexis.” Blake managed to stutter after a few moments. “You’re not upset about that are you?”

Shrugging Krystina eyed her father’s cookie. “No I love Alexis too. She’s fun and she has such pretty dresses.”

“Yes but I love her differently than you love her…” Blake tried to explain. Yet how do you explain such things to a five almost six year old?

“You love her like married people love each other.” Krystina pronounced confidently this time Blake really was stunned to silence. “Does that mean you and Alexis are going to get married and I can wear my pretty dress?”

“Well…” Blake paused tugging nervously on his hair. “We haven’t set a date but I do want to marry Alexis one day.”

“Can you do it soon?” Krystina asked innocently turning her blue eyes on her silently sweating father. “Otherwise my dress won’t fit me anymore.”

“Krystina I am sure Alexis would take you to get another dress.”

“But I want to wear this one…” Krystina pouted getting up from her father’s lap and stomping off to her large wardrobe, rummaging until she found the beautiful white princess dress with the lavender sash. “See it’s so pretty.”

“It is a lovely dress but…Krystina come here.” Blake sighed opening his arms for his daughter who returned to his lap complete with her dress. “Sweetheart Alexis and I won’t be getting married for a while.”

“Why not?”

“Because…because well…Krystina it’s complicated.”

“Why?”

“Because it is.” Blake insisted quickly running out of ideas. “Besides I don’t think Alexis wants to get married.”

“You don’t think…you mean you haven’t asked her?” Krystina asked aghast.

“Well no not in so many words…”

“Well then of course Alexis won’t marry you, you have to ask her Daddy!” Krystina exclaimed shaking her head at her father’s silliness.

“So you ask Alexis and then you can get married and I can wear my dress.” She added finally before reaching for her father’s cookie and taking a bite before reaching up to pat her stunned father’s cheek. Honestly parents really were silly some times.

---