Alex

"Are you hungry?" I asked Harry once we were settled inside my private plane.

She shook her head without looking at me.

I knew she would be angry at me, I expected it, but this? I thought it would be easy once I found her. I would apologize and convince her to go back with me. She wanted love before she left and now I'm willing to marry her, promising forever and she's acting like the thought of it was worse than spending the rest of her life in Purgatory. No matter what she said before about loving someone forever, it was obvious she now hated me. I miss the warmth that used to shine from her eyes when she looked at me. How could I have been so blind? She has always looked at me with love in her eyes. The smile that had been just for me. Intimate. Special. I had taken it all for granted.

I had spent four months tormenting myself with questions of what ifs. If only I'd went to her apartment that same night, I might have gotten to her in time. If only I had stayed the night after we made love, and woke up with her in my arms. If only....So many ifs, but that's all they are now. And now looking at Harry, I wonder if she'll ever let herself close to me again.

"If I marry you and you divorce me, you could keep my baby," she said, expressing her deepest fear.

He swore and stood. "You believe I would do this to you?"

She gave me a bitter laugh, "you did threaten me," she said in a whisper.

"But this is different. marriage is forever. I wouldn't do that to you or our children. I want our children to grow up with both parents."

"I don't know. I don't trust my instincts where you are concerned anymore....and why did you say children? I'm definitely not having twins," she said.

"Surely you don't want just one child?" I asked her.

"No of course not, but I think you didn't hear me Alex. I am marrying for my baby, I said that I will never be a wife to you."

"Oh and I think you didn't hear me as well. If I remember correctly, I told you that you will be my wife in all its meaning!" I said to her.

She glared at me, "Never, I will never sleep with you willingly. I could never have sex with someone I despise," she bit out.

I winced at her words," We'll see."

"Stop fighting me Harry. Don't make this difficult. Whatever you need to make you happy, I will give it to you."

She looked at me, "You could never give me what I need Alex," she said dejectedly and before I could say anything, she turned her back on me, and covered herself with a blanket.

Harry

"Whatever you need to make you happy, I will give it to you."

You couldn't give me what I needed before, what makes you think you could give it to me now? I thought to myself.

But I'm not that stupid girl in love with you anymore. You could never hurt me again. I said to myself. But then why am I am sitting here trying to fight back my tears?

Damn you Alex!

"Harry, I care about you. I will never be unfaithful to you. I will be a good husband and a good father. Don't ask for the impossible. Don't ask for the moon. I do not do love." I heard him say.

I gave him a bitter laugh, "you think this is about love?" I asked incredulously. "I may have been in love with you before, but not anymore. Whatever feelings I had for you died that day in your office." I took a deep breath and continued. "What I need for you is to let me go and stop forcing me to marry you! But you're telling me that you don't do love, then how the hell will you be a good father without loving our child?"

"I will love and care for our child. He is my blood."

Yeah you just won't love me. The thought and his words brought pain in my heart, but I ignore it. I will not let him affect me. He is nothing to me anymore.

"I don't want to argue with you anymore. I'm tired."

"Fine. We will talk about the wedding plans tomorrow. I want us to get married as soon as possible."

"Civil wedding is fine, perhaps Vegas, there's no need to have a fuzz about this. This is nothing but a marriage of convenience. No need to put on a show," I told him.

"We will have a proper wedding Harry," he said with finality.

"I don't care," I said.

Oh god, why does this hurt so much. I feel the tears falling in my eyes. I wipe them away before Alex could see.

I'm doing this for you my darling. I love you with all my heart, I said hugging my middle. Then I let exhaustion engulf me. I fell asleep instantly.

I feel like I was being lifted, "it's ok sweetheart, just sleep." I hear someone say, but was too tired to respond. I simply went back to sleep.

Alex

She looks so tired. I informed my pilot about change of plans. I told him to take us to Paris instead. We had great memories there and maybe I could remind Harry of how good it was between us when we were in Paris. She stirred in her sleep, and her locket fell in front of her. It's the locket I gave her. I move to hold the locket in my hand. I have the opportunity to open it, but I don't. I want her to tell me. I remember how adamant she was that I don't know who's picture it is she carries in her locket. But I still think it's her parents picture. She loved them very much. It would make sense.

My eyes grow heavy. I haven't had a good nights sleep since Harry left. Now, I could go back outside and sleep in my seat, or sleep in bed with Harry and risk her getting angry with me. The thought of having Harry in my arms again, brought great pleasure to me. I chose the latter. I walked to the other side of the bed, and climbed in beside Harry. I pulled her close to me and hugged her to me. She immediately snuggled close to me. I feel myself relax. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

"Wake up, sweetheart," I said to Harry. "Come on, we have to get back to our seats. We're about to land.

She stirred and opened her sleepy eyes. "How did I get here?"

"I carried you, it's more comfortable sleeping in a bed."

"You shouldn't have, our flight isn't that long."

"We had a detour," I informed her, glad she didn't ask if I had slept beside her.

"What? Where are we then?" She asked.

"In Paris."

"But why? I thought we're going back to New York."

"Well I figured, it would be best to have the wedding here, away from prying eyes."

"I guess that makes sense. But like I said, Vegas would have been fine," she muttered.

"I will not marry you that way." I said. "Now come on," I held my hand out to her. She ignored it and climbed out of bed by herself.

Once we were settled back in our seats I turned to Harry and I see her rubbing her belly. "Do you know if we're having a boy or a girl? I asked her.

She shook her head, "No, I...I'm going to find out on my next appointment...ow" she whimpered in pain.

"Sweetheart are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, the baby just kicked too hard."

"Oh, does that happen often?" I asked not really knowing much about pregnancy.

"actually this is the first. Do you want to feel it?" She offered.

I was surprised she asked me, I simply nod my head.

"Here," she grabbed my hand and put it over her belly. "Do you feel it?" She asked.

I nod my head, "wow, that's amazing. That's our baby in there."

I kissed her lips quickly, just so happy about the fact that she's carrying my baby. I could tell I shocked her. "Sorry, I...I..."

"It's okay, don't worry about it," she said. She released my hand and she turned to look out the window. Her face returning to a cold Stoney look. She was just happy a few minutes ago, and now she's back to looking sad and distant.

She continued to be quiet all the way to our apartment. I decided to give her the space she needs. I want her to trust me again.

Once we were inside our apartment, my housekeeper greeted us, "Good Morning Mr. Harrington. Breakfast is ready for you sir."

"Thank you Nora. This is my fiancé, Ms Harry Elizabeth Adams," I said.

"Ms. Adams, it's a pleasure to meet you," she smiled warmly at Harry.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you too. Please call me Harry," she said.

Nora blushed but nodded, "breakfast is ready for both of you. I have some freshly baked croissants. Mr. Harrington told me that it is also your favourite?"

Harry a nodded, "Yes thank you. I could smell them! they smell wonderful."

"Yes. Please allow me to get your things settled. Breakfast is served. If you need or want anything else, just let me know.

"Thank you Nora. Roger should be here soon, along with Jane, they will be staying in my spare loft. I trust you to also take care of their needs. As well as, Michael and Emma. Well Michael and Emma will be staying in the same suite. Please do attend to them as well. They will be arriving in two days.

I turn to Harry. "Is there anyone you would like to invite to our wedding?"

She nodded, "My best friend, Emma and her husband, Dylan. And her family. They're like family to me," she said.

"Of course, I would love to meet them. You're best friends name is Emma too? This will be interesting. Having two Emma's in one event. Anyways, you can call them after we eat our breakfast."

.......

"Harry, eat and stop playing with your food."

She looked up and glared at me, "don't tell me what to do!"

"Stop acting like a child," I said.

"I'm not acting like a child. I'm sorry if I find it hard to swallow my food. I just wish this was a nightmare. Everything is happening too fast and I feel like I'm going to be sick just thinking about marr..." She stopped realizing what she was about to say.

"Things will be okay between us Harry, I promise you. Now please eat, it's not just you you know, we have our little one to think about now," I told her calmly.

"You're right. I need to eat for the baby."

Harry

After breakfast, I decided to call my best friend Emma.

"Hello?"

"Hi Em! It's me!" I said.

"Hi Har! How are you? I miss you. I was expecting a call from you the other night."

"Yeah, I know, sorry I had to work. Anyways the reason I called is to let you know that..." Come on, just say it. It's like ripping off a band-aid.

"Har, you still there?" She asked.

"Ah, yeah I'm here. I called you to say I'm getting married." There I said it.

"What? Sweety that's great...wait what? How? Who?"

I chuckled, "I'm marrying Alex," I said.

"Alex? Your boss Alex? The one who broke your heart Alex? The father of your child Alex?

I giggle nervously, "Yup, yes to all," I said.

"But I thought...never mind. Is this what you want Har?"

"It's what's best for the baby, but yes this is what I want," I lied.

"Good. I'm happy for you. I'm really glad that you've patched things up."

"Thanks. Well don't freak our or anything, but the other reason I called is to tell you that I'm getting Married this Saturday, in Paris. I would like you to be my maid of honour. I'd also love it if Maggie and Toni were here at my wedding. You've all been so kind to me. You're family," I said bringing tears to my eyes.

"Of course Har. We wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Well Alex said not to worry about anything. He said he'll take care of things. He said that all you need to do is get here before the wedding. He said that he could fly you guys here..."

"Oh hey don't worry about us Har. Just worry about being beautiful for your wedding. I'll let Dylan know. I'm sure his plane can fly us there. But thank Alex for me."

After my talk with Emma, finalizing the details of their arrival, I decided to take a shower. I turn around to find Alex standing by the door.

"Thank you for not telling them about our arrangement. For not saying I forced you," he said.

"Well I don't want her to know. I don't want my best friend to pity me!" I said, regretting it right away when I saw the hurt expression on Alex's face. But before I could apologize, he nodded and said, "I've run a bath for you. I figured you'd want one. If you need anything else just let me know." He said before giving me a sad smile. He left me standing there wondering why he looks dejected. I've been noticing it when he thinks I wasn't looking at him.

What am I saying?

Why would he feel hurt?

I brushed off the odd feelings I was having and head to the bathroom.