'Darling are you asleep?' Brad playfully tugged at Tessa's ears.

'Depends why you ask?' she sleepily murmured against his throat, her head tucked in the crook of Brad's sturdy arm, her hand carelessly on his chest. Brad laughed softly and kissed her temple.

'If I want to talk?' Brad enquired. It was close on midnight. Tessa's antenna picked up the serious tone. Her head lifted, her eyes searched his.

'I'm awake,' she murmured encouragingly.

Brad looked away, she noted, her husband who was normally able to express himself with ease, now found difficulty articulating himself. His bedside lamp was still on. A financial journal was opened on the bedside table.

'What is it darling?' Tessa whispered, lifting her hand and entangling it in his hair.

'I want to talk about Alexei,' Brad could not keep the anger out of his voice. Tessa inhaled deeply. She had hoped that the issue with Alexei was closed. She spoke, aiming to lighten the mood, 'I thought we don't discuss business in bed,' Tessa smiled.

'This is not about business. This is about a man who walks into my building and audaciously touches my wife,' Brad's voice angrily rose an octave.

Tessa lifted herself up and leaned on her elbow, raising the sheets over her chest. 'Lower you voice,' she whispered. 'You said you want to talk,' Tessa reminded him. Alexei had apologized, but Tessa did not want to risk appearing as if she was defending Alexei.

'Well I wanted to hit the guy,' Brad admitted with difficulty, and I have not reacted so violently, since I was a teenager, when somebody had picked on my late mother.'

Tessa's heart yearned to comfort the boy Brad spoke of, but her husband was a proud man who would not tolerate anybody's pity. Her hand reached out and cupped his face.

'You did not react violently,' Tessa murmured.

'I almost did,' Brad countered. 'Had you not called out to me, ---who knows what would have happened. Tessa remembered all too clearly, how vicariously close Alexei had stood near the window's edge.

'I don't believe you had any intention of being reckless darling. You would not have heeded my voice, if you did.'

'What if you weren't there? What if---?' Tessa knew his unfinished sentence questioned what if Brad had accidently caused Alexei to fall out the twentieth story executive suite. It had been Tessa's greatest fear as well when she had watched Brad manhandling Alexei.

'We can thank God we have nothing to regret,' Tessa spoke softly. 'You are one of the most responsible people I know,' she smiled. 'In the four years we've been together, I have never once witnessed any bouts of violence or anger,' Tessa mitigated.

'Now I know why I married an attorney,' his lips twitched into a smile. Tessa offered a silent prayer that she would never in the future need to defend her husband in any criminal litigation.

'I'm very expensive. You cannot afford me, so best you stay out of trouble,' Tessa teased. Brad reached over and hugged his wife.

'You are an amazing woman Mrs. Blakely,' Brad ran his fingers through the silky curls of her hair.

'Thank you, Mr. Blakely.'

'I'm sorry to have woken you up,' Brad murmured, pressing his lips to her earlobe, his lips doing some erotic things to her.

'Are you really?' Tessa whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.

'No,' Brad chuckled. It was more than an hour later, when he finally allowed his wife to get some sleep.

'What time is the meeting with Alexei?'

'Have you confirmed the meeting with Alexei Yakov?'

Brad and Tessa spoke simultaneously to Bentley as they entered their office. Tessa silently cringed that topmost in her and her husband's mind was the man that made them both lose sleep last night.

'Yes,' Bentley nodded. 'The meeting's confirmed for nine this morning.

'Good,' Brad replied, strolling to his office.

'Blakely,' Tessa spoke over her shoulder, as she opened her office. 'We are leaving here at five thirty.'
Brad grinned and winked at his wife.

'Bentley thank you for picking Keri up yesterday,' Tessa stopped outside her office. 'Did she get settled in?'

'Yes, Mrs. Blakely.'

Tessa nodded and entered her office. She had an hour to prepare before their meeting with Alexei. Tessa was confident that her endearing husband would be the consummate professional. Brad's questionable conduct of yesterday would not resurface. Tessa busied herself with the RBD file in preparation of their meeting. Just before nine she walked into Brad's office, ensuring she got there before Alexei.

'Mr. Blakely, Mr. Yakov is here,' Bentley announced, opening Brad's door.

'Thank you Bentley. Please show him in.'

'Alexei,' Brad greeted courteously. 'Good morning.'

'Good morning Brad,' Alexei exchanged a handshake with Brad. 'Morning, Mrs. Blakely,' Alexei smiled, just as courteously as Brad had.

'Good morning, Mr. Yakov. Please take a seat,' Tessa invited. She noted both the men, cautiously chose to ignore the incident of the previous day and focused on the agenda at hand. Tessa took control of the meeting.

'Mr. Yakov, I understand you wish to defend Ms. Titov's proposal and press ahead with Russian Business Daily's initial offer.'

'Yes,' Alexei stated firmly. 'I believe the selling price is fair,' he looked at Tessa. 'I also question the findings of your audit,' he challenged.
Tessa exchanged a cursory glance with Brad. Surely Alexei would not presume to think she had been short sighted in her methodology in conducting her audit.

Brad leaned back in his chair, toying with a pencil. He allowed Tessa free reign. Tessa knew her husband was calmly building his rebuttal. He would strike when he deemed it would guarantee most impact.

'Mr. Yakov,' Tessa proceeded, 'We have conducted an exhaustive audit. I will very quickly run through the process my audit team embarked on.'

Tessa wondered if this was a stalling tactic of Alexei's. 'Firstly we conducted a compatibility audit, to look at strategic components that will add shareholder value. The financial; information systems and legal audits are self explanatory,' Tessa rattled on. 'Our marketing audit findings indicated that analysts in your own country think you are spending too much capital on poor investments.'
Tessa was not going to mention Alexei's investing with his zip to a young woman's untested venture of an online journal publication.

'All our investments are thoroughly analysed before we embark on it,' Alexei defended.

'The online journal publication RBD invested in twelve months ago has failed to provide a return on investment,' Tessa pointed. 'Mr. Yakov you have not even managed to recoup the costs,' Tessa accused.

'We've allowed it a three year lifespan,' he smiled uncomfortably. 'We expect to break even in year two and for the venture to be profitable when it reaches market saturation in year three.'

'I submit to you Alexei,' Brad challenged, 'that you knew this was a dead horse and it was pointless trying to flog a dead horse.'
Alexei remained silent.
'Am I correct if I assume you are embroiled in a messy three year contract, and are obligated to fit the costs there of, even though it is not profitable?' Brad demanded.

Alexei scratched nervously on his cheek, 'As I mentioned, 'he mumbled, 'by year three it should turn around.'

'This is like a donkey carrying a bag of grain with a big hole in it.' Brad illustrated. 'The donkey is moving at a snail's pace. The grain is seeping through the hole and the bag will be empty, before the donkey completes its journey.'

'That leads me to the management audit, Mr. Yakov, and I will speak quite frankly. The shareholder value analysis indicates rather poor leadership from yourself. A very promising venture on paper, Mr. Yakov,' Tessa handed Alexei and Brad a copy of a graph. 'But sadly your sales declined in every quarter last year,' she pointed out. 'I would have expected you to try and acquire clients to advertise in the journal to boost RBD's income, but it does not have a single client. My comments and recommendations are reflected in the marketing audit,' Tessa stated.

Alexei shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He fiddled nervously with Tessa's graph, before he offered. 'I can acquire a broker dealer to provide you with a due diligence report.'

''No thank you Mr. Yakov,' Tessa declined unhesitatingly. 'You would not want me to raise concerns of non disclosures from your broker, accidental or otherwise,' she cautioned.

Alexei kept his head lowered, not commenting further.

'Mr Yakov, have you considered divestiture from some of RBD's noncore operations?'

'No,' he murmured.

'Well I propose you start drawing a plan for RBD to disinvest from businesses that are not core to your business.' Tessa handed him and Brad a copy of a divestiture proposal. 'Get rid of those investments, Mr. Yakov.' Tessa instructed. 'My legal team will assist you on condition every cent of the revenue is used to service your excessive debt.'

Alexei reluctantly nodded his agreement.

'I want to categorically state, Mr. Yakov, if Global Report Holdings goes ahead with the purchase of the Russian Business Daily, we will not buy your debt,' Tessa warned. 'There will be a clause stipulating that GR will assume ownership after RBD pays off all its debt.' Alexei's head flew up. His eyes widened. A thin film of sweat appeared above his upper lip. He had hoped when he sold RBD that the buyer would automatically take over his debt as well.

There was no way in hell Tessa was going to put her signature on an offer to purchase where the debt was greater than its potential to be profitable. Since she now owned fifty percent of her husband's company, she had to protect the legacy of her child or children.

'I do not see any marketing strategy to stimulate business growth Mr. Yakov.'
Brad hid a smirk. He was so proud of his wife. She had legal expertise, not a discipline on how to run a media house, but his insightful wife was running circles around Alexei Yakov.

'Alexei,' Brad stood up. 'Can we see a proposal in forty eight hours of the businesses RDB intends to sell, as well as a workable marketing strategy that can prove to me that your company still has value.' Brad did not need Alexei's marketing proposal, he knew exactly how to turn the company around to make it profitable, but he had wanted Alexei to stew. He needed to close this deal. It was taking far too long to wrap up. Alexei seemed to not care for his employees. Brad felt a severe burden for the RBD's employees that may lose their jobs. Time was of essence. 'Alexei, I want that report in twenty four hours,' Brad amended.

'Yes, it will be ready,' Alexei stood up. He extended his hand to Brad and Tessa and departed.

Brad looked at his wife with an eyebrow raised questioningly as Tessa packed her notes into her file before she could depart from Brad's office.

'What?' she laughed.

'You're offering my legal team at my expense to a man who does not know how to keep his house.'

Tessa looked away uncomfortably. It was ludicrous to incur such exorbitant expenses, she knew that. Her only justification was that GR was financially strong enough to absorb those expenses. Heck her husband was rich enough to pay those costs out of his personal wealth.

'You know the predicament RBD is in,' Tessa spoke softly. 'I'm thinking about children like Lyndon whose fathers or mothers could risk losing their jobs. What happens to households where mortgages can't be paid, or there is no food on the table, or no money for health care?'

Brad's respect for his wife rose tenfold. He had not mentioned his concerns to Tessa, but his compassionate wife had herself empathy for a people she had not even met. He marvelled at this lady who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but amazingly had a responsible head on her shoulders and a compassionate heart.

'In that case I fully support you,' he smiled taking his wife into his arms.

'Thank you. Let's hope Alexei recognizes the urgency.' Tessa gave her husband an appreciative hug.

'Where are you rushing off to?' Brad was reluctant to release his wife.

'To my office, I have work to do, I'm sure you do to.'

'Maybe,' Brad murmured, pulling her closer.

'Blakely,' Tessa whispered, 'I like to think I satisfied you enough in the early hours of this morning that you can hold your train of thought until tonight,' yet somehow, her arms encircled his neck.

'I'm ravenous, since I saw you put on those delightful suspenders this morning,' he groaned. Tessa had noticed Brad gazing at her in her dressing room, but she had pretended not to notice him. She knew if she'd met his eyes, they would only have left home some two hours later, and would not have made the meeting with Alexei. If she was right now unconvinced of her husband's need for her Brad pressed against her pelvis so she could feel his erect form piercing against her. An answering moan escaped her, as reached up and indulged in a slow kiss.

'I was planning on going home after lunch to fetch Lyndon,' Tessa whispered. 'Can you wait until then?'

'Why don't you have lunch now?' he murmured.

Tessa laughed. 'It's ten past eleven, besides I have a meeting in twenty minutes.'

'Reschedule it,' Brad instructed. Tessa sighed. She really would not be in the mood to return to the office, if she went home to make love with Brad.

'You're going to disrupt all my plans for the day,' Tessa feebly arched her neck, delighting in the sweet caress of Brad's lips. I told Keri, we'd visit her at six.'

'Can she receive us at perhaps four?'

'Does this mean you plan on keeping me in bed for three hours?'

'I could keep you in bed the entire day Sexy.'

Tessa smacked Brad's hand that was trailing up her thigh.

'What are you going to tell Bentley?' She asked breathlessly.

'The truth.'

'That we're going home to make love!' Tessa pushed Brad away protestingly.

'Brad chuckled, 'no only that we're going home.'

'And obviously he's going to know exactly why we're going home.'

'Are you going to argue with me the whole morning, or are you going to be a good wife and lie on your back and let me have my way with you?' Brad pulled her into his arms again, his lips worried at hers until her lips parted and she returned his kiss.

'Let's go then,' Tessa whispered against his lips.

Tessa lay on her stomach, her cheek against her pillow. She was panting and completely out of breath. When she had felt her husband's arousal in his office, she had assumed their coupling would be short and quick. Tessa should have known better. Brad never rushed or hurried their lovemaking. It was always sweet torture.
The day she married Brad, she thought they'd had their best sex before the discovery of her pregnancy. How wrong she was. As their love matured, their lovemaking blossomed equally. They were constantly discovering new ways to pleasure each other. Tessa had assumed, she was super fit from the two hours she spent at the gym, four times a week. She'd been cynical about Brad's fitness regime. He swam for an hour every morning. She often teased him, that he just floated on his back effortlessly. Brad's only response was to just smile annoyingly at her.

Now Tessa had to eat her words. Before Brad, she had always been able to hold her own with her previous lovers. She knew how to pleasure a man. She knew when to hold back, and she knew when to increase the pace. But no man had been able to give her a run for her money, except Bradley Blakely. She'd always loved wrestling with her lovers to determine who was the stronger willed, and most often, she'd been victorious with her past lovers. She could not claim sweeping victory with Brad. She'd won on a few occasions, but often Brad had her bending to his will, begging, pleading for his possession.

Brad had instructed the limo to bring them home. Tessa had attempted to initiate the foreplay in the limo. Her hand momentarily on his knee had been subtle. She knew she had scored first when Brad in mid sentence had stopped talking as he felt the heat of her palm on his knee. Tessa continued teasing, her fingers on his forearm, her leg accidently brushing his thigh. Tessa had been over confident when she'd observed his dilated pupils. Brad's eyes continuously dropped to her deliberately uplifted skirt that gave him a sneak preview of her lacy suspenders. She could tell the extent of his arousal by the dark desire in the rim of his irises. The limo had dropped them off and had been instructed to collect them again at three thirty.

They had rushed up to their bedroom, knowing Lyndon was in his playroom with Stacy. In the morning Tessa had given instructions for Lyndon to have an early nap and be bathed and ready. Tessa was supposed to collect him at two and return to her office with Lyndon. All those plans had gone out the window.

It was now almost two. Tessa was exhausted from her husband's ministrations. Brad had made love to her not once was twice, torturously. After the first satisfying coupling, her sweat glistened body was sated and begged for sleep, and just when she wanted to doze off, comfortably in Brad's arms, he was on a journey of discovery again.

She silently prayed Brad had successfully impregnated her during one of the two marathon sessions they'd just indulged in. Tessa wanted to reach out and hug Brad tightly, but her body was limp. Every muscle ached. Her lungs felt starved. Her body was on fire, she longed for a shower, but she lacked the physical strength to get herself there.

Brad's fingers trailed down her spine, in response her body jerked, emitting a spasm. Oh how traitorous her body was to react to him when she was so physically challenged. Damn it where does he get the energy from? Brad's hand slid lower and cupped her bottom. His teeth nibbled on the blade of her shoulder. Tessa trembled. Brad's palms erotically caressed her bottom. His tongue slid down her spine.

'Please---I can't,' Tessa pleaded. She heard Brad chuckle as he hoisted her into his arms and lay her comfortably on his chest.
'You're merciless,' she whispered.

'Am I?' he questioned innocently.

'I need a shower,' Tessa sighed, wondering if she had the ability to stand up in the shower.

'Why don't I run you a cool bath?' Brad offered perceptively. Tessa would much prefer a shower. Perhaps she could rinse herself under a cold shower for a few minutes and soak up in the tub. Yes that was a wonderful solution.

'I would love that,' Tessa murmured. 'You know Lyndon was expecting me at two,' Tessa toyed with Brad's hair. Brad looked at the bedside clock.

'I can be showered in ten minutes,' he smiled, planting a kiss on Tessa's shoulder. Tessa wished she could stay right where she was, and doze off, for two hours. If she spoke her thoughts, Brad would make her reschedule their visit to Keri.

'Did I tell you that I love you Blakely?' she whispered.

'Not today,' he smiled.

'I love you handsome,' she kissed his lips. 'Now go take your shower.'

Brad laughed, sliding off the bed. 'I'm running your bath for you, he reminded Tessa. 'Should I carry you to your bathroom,' he offered innocently.

'You're loving yourself right now, aren't you?' she aimed his pillow at him, which Brad ducked with ease.

'Ten minutes and your son is coming to pay you a visit in your bathroom darling,' Brad warned. Tessa heard her bath tub filling up. The  scent of soft floaty fruity notes wafted through the air and filled their bedroom.
Oh he's so adorable. A few minutes later, she could hear Brad in his shower. Tessa limped out of bed, but sighed blissfully. She removed the sheets from the bed, put fresh linen on. Picked up Brad's clothes and her scanty underwear from the floor and bundled everything to be laundered. Tessa showered quickly in cool water and climbed into the welcoming bathtub. It seemed Brad had added a little aromatic bath oil as well. She switched the jets on and enjoyed her aching limbs being massaged.

'Momma, I've been waiting for you,' Lyndon burst into her bathroom. It was a good thing the powerful jets increased the foam all over the tub, enabling her sufficient decency.

'Good afternoon darling,' Tessa threw a soapy sud at Lyndon.

'Stacy gave me a bath already momma,' he smiled shyly. Tessa laughed at her adorable son.

'Come and give mummy a kiss my angel.' Lyndon carefully moved closer to the bathtub, and placed a kiss on his mummy's cheek.

'You smell nice momma,' Lyndon dipped one finger into the soapy water.

'It's peach blossoms. Would you like me to put some in your bathroom tomorrow?'

'Yes please,' he smiled.

'Darling, thought you would like a drink,' Brad handed Tessa a glass of chilled champagne. He had a self satisfied smirk on his face. She wanted to say something to him, but she could not in front of Lyndon.

'Thank you,' she reached out for the glass and thirstily drank half of it. It was delicious.

'There you go son,' Brad poured orange juice into a champagne flute and handed it to Lyndon.

'Thank you my daddy. Cheers momma,' Lyndon noisily clanked his glass against his mummy's glass.

Tessa laughed softly, 'cheers sweetheart.'
She noted Brad was having a coffee. He looked fresh, and revitalised after his shower. He was wearing dark formal trousers again and a crisp white shirt, with the two top buttons opened. Tiny hairs were visible where the buttons were opened. Over the scent of the peach blossoms, she could smell Brad's strong musk cologne.

'Momma I had two hotdogs for lunch,' Lyndon announced. Tessa dragged her eyes away from Brad.

'Wow, my baby is becoming a big boy now,' Tessa smiled, making a smiley face with the foam on Lyndon's palm that rested on the edge of the bath tub.

'He's smiling at me momma,' Lyndon lifted his champagne flute to his mouth and sipped his juice, exactly the ways adults did.

'Yes, he thinks you look very handsome today,' Tessa approved of Lyndon's denims and cream polo shirt. His hair was neatly styled as well. 'Did you thank Stacy for giving you a bath my angel?'

'Yes momma.'

Tessa wanted to get out of her bathtub, she looked up at Brad.

'Son can you help me find my wallet please?' Brad walked out of his wife's bathroom.

Tessa had accidently put it into Brad's bedside drawer, instead of placing it on the cabinet.

'Yes daddy,' Lyndon carefully left the glass on the bathroom counter.

'Sweetheart come here,' Tessa whispered. 'Daddy's wallet is in the drawer on his side of the bed,' she spoke softly in Lyndon's ear.

'Thank you momma,' Lyndon grinned conspirationally.

When Lyndon departed, Tessa used the time to rinse and towel herself and quickly get dressed. When Lyndon returned, she was busy cleaning out the bathtub.

'Can I help you please momma?' Lyndon took the sponge and poured a liberal amount of the bathroom cleaner onto it.

'Just a little Angel, you don't want to use up the entire bottle,' Tessa smiled. She washed Lyndon's hands when he was done and brushed his hair, his father must have ruffled his hair, when Lyndon had automatically found his daddy's wallet.

'Son please go and put a jacket on.'

'Where are you taking me my daddy?'

'We are going to see somebody from New York.'

'New York? Can we go see grandpa please daddy?'

'No son,' Brad laughed, 'we are not going to New York. Keri is here in London, but she is from New York.'

'But I want my grandpa daddy,' Lyndon started to cry. 'When is he coming?'

Brad tried to lift his son into his arms, but he brushed his daddy's hands away, and started to howl a few decibels louder.

Brad easily scouped Lyndon into his arms. 'Son, listen to daddy. Grandpa is on his way. He will be arriving tomorrow___.'

'What's going on?' Tessa rushed into their bedroom to see what had happened to Lyndon.

'Momma,' Lyndon threw his arms towards Tessa. 'I want grandpa now. Take me to New York,' Lyndon demanded.

'Lyndon!' Tessa placed her hands on her hips. 'We will talk, when you stop crying.' In response Lyndon turned his back to his mummy and draped his tiny arms around his daddy's neck. Tessa rolled her eyes at Lyndon's theatrics.

'Are we ready to talk sweetheart?'

Lyndon pretended his mummy had not spoken. 'Can we phone grandpa?' Lyndon whispered in Brad's ear.

'You first have to answer mummy. Then I will dial grandpa.'

'Yes momma,' Lyndon looked over his shoulder.

'I am not going to talk to your back. Please come and sit here on the sofa,' Tessa sat down and patted the seat next to her.

Obediently Lyndon slid out of his daddy's arms and climbed onto the sofa.

'Yes momma,' Lyndon crossed one leg over the other and clasped his hands over his upper legs. Tessa looked up at Brad, he strolled over and perched himself on the hand rest of the sofa next to Tessa.

'Lyndon,' Tessa addressed her son. 'You do not need to cry when you want something. Did daddy not tell you last night that grandpa would be here tomorrow evening?'

'Yes.'

'So you have one more sleep,' Tessa lifted Lyndon into her arms, 'then tomorrow grandpa will be here,' she smiled.

'Is my fish still there?' Lyndon lifted his eyes to Tessa.

'Yes it is. Lauretta promised you it will be there till grandpa comes!'

'We will have hotdogs until grandpa comes momma.'

Tessa and Brad burst out laughing. Brad ruffled his son's hair again, and pressed a kiss on his little head. Lyndon did not seem to realise on Tessa's instruction, fish had been absent from every meal over the last week.

'Sorry son. I need food. Hotdogs just does not cut it for me. Now the limo is here shall we get going?' Brad offered his arms to Lyndon. He happily climbed into his daddy's arms, reminding his daddy he promised to call his grandpa.

'You may talk to grandpa as we drive,' Brad promised.

Tessa rung the doorbell and waited for Keri to answer. She looked down at Lyndon who was just finishing his call to Joseph. Brad and Tessa had barely managed two sentences between them, when Lyndon demanded the phone. He'd been on the phone all of the more than fifteen minutes it took to drive to their penthouse apartment.

'You should say goodbye now sweetheart,' Tessa instructed.

'Goodbye grandpa. I have one more sleep and I will see you,' he raised one finger into the air as if his grandpa could see. 'I love you grandpa,' Lyndon cut the call and returned Brad's phone. Keri opened the door shyly and Tessa was shocked to see how much weight Keri had lost.

'Hi,' Kerri smiled at Tessa.

'Hey Keri,' Tessa returned Keri's smile, and tried with difficultly to mask her surprise at her weight loss. Not that Keri was anorexically thin, she actually looked good, it made her look slightly taller, highlighted her curvier parts. There were shadows under her eyes but otherwise she looked good.
'It's so good to see you again,' Tessa laughed, offering Keri a hug.

'Tessa, you look amazing,' Keri grinned. 'You have not changed a single bit in like three years,' Keri grinned.

'Marriage must be good for her then,' Brad chirped from behind Tessa. Keri looked up shyly at Brad and then to Lyndon.

'Keri you remember my husband,' Tessa laced her fingers through Brad's.

'Hi, Mr. Blakely,' Kerri murmured.

'Call me Brad,' Brad smiled charmingly, and extended a hand to Keri.

'And this is Lyndon,' Tessa smiled adoringly at her son.

'Hi Lyndon,' Keri lowered herself to meet Lyndon's eyes. He merely hid behind his daddy's legs and peeked from behind curiously.

'Daddy,' Lyndon whispered, raising his arms to Brad. Keri gushed at how handsome the little blighter was. He was actually the splitting image of his daddy. Curly dark hair, beautiful eyes, and the longest lashes she'd seen on a baby boy. He looked angelic, Keri thought. Lyndon was so handsome, he actually looked beautiful.

'Please come inside,' Keri invited, as they were all still standing at the doorway.

'Keri?' Tessa laughed. 'Are you really that hot?' The air conditioner seemed to be on freezing.

'Umm---,' Keri stammered. 'I tried to find out where the control panel is, but I was unsuccessful,' Keri's cheeks turned pink.

I'm going to kill Bentley.
'Why didn't you call me?' Tessa scolded Keri, and looked in Brad's direction.

'You were coming today, so I thought I'd wait till you get here.'

'There you go Keri,' Brad called out. 'You see this switch,' Brad pointed to a wall switch and when Keri looked, she now realized it resembled an image of an air conditioner. 'Just flick the switch and it opens up the panel for you,' he smiled.

'Oh,' she was all embarrassed now.

'It's fooled a lot of people,' Brad laughed, trying to ease Keri's discomfort.

'I was wondering why you're dressed like an Eskimo,' Tessa teased.

'So you've managed to see some of London?' Brad spoke conversationally.

'Yes, Mr. Blak--- Brad,' she smiled nervously. Tessa and Brad laughed softly. 'I walked along the Thames, yesterday. This morning, I walked about Trafalgar Square and had breakfast at one of the cafes,' she smiled.

'You know how everything else operates in the apartment?' Tessa smiled. 'Need help with anything else?'

I need a Bachelor's Degree in Electronics to figure out how all the contraptions work here.

It had taken Keri a few minutes to figure out how to turn the hot water on, before she was freezing under the cold shower, but she'd embarrassed herself enough, she thought she'd keep that to herself.

'I've managed to figure the essential things out,' Keri laughed.

'Have you seen my grandpa?' Lyndon clung to his daddy, and when Keri looked at him in confusion, he leaned his head in his daddy's shoulder. Keri directed her gaze at Tessa who raised a questioning eyebrow at Lyndon?

'Is your grandpa missing Lyndon?' Tessa questioned her son.

'Err---my grandpa will be here tomorrow, after I sleep and wake up,' Lyndon smiled shyly at Keri.

'I see,' Keri shrugged her shoulders at Tessa.

'Lyndon assumes,' Brad smiled, 'that because you are from New York, you would know how his grandpa is.'

'Ah, that explains things.' Keri laughed. 'Your dad is coming to visit?' Keri smiled at Tessa.

'Yes,' Tessa smiled, but she was nervous inside. She was always nervous whenever she was about to meet with her dad. Even when she had been single, whenever her dad had summoned her, Tessa would get  tension headaches, which automatically left, the minute her meeting with her parent had been concluded.

Tessa had to make sure before Joseph arrived the following evening that she meet with Lauretta and discussed menus. She also made a mental note to speak to the butler about stock in their liquor cellar. Her father only ever drank the finest scotch and nothing else. She felt the beginnings of one of those tension headaches now. She could not understand why? She and her father had made peace. He was a changed man, exhibiting loving feelings towards her and her family.
Why, her daddy adored Lyndon to bits, and he highly respected Brad. Now that she was secure in Brad's love for her, Tessa did not feel that sense of abandonment any longer.

Brad sensing his wife's quiet withdrawal reached out and clasped his fingers to hers. Tessa blinked, smiled at Brad and answered Keri.

'Yes my mom and dad will be arriving tomorrow,' Tessa smiled bravely. Brad sensed his wife's bravado was more forced than she actually exhibited. He did not know why Tessa was nervous, she and her dad were pretty tight these days.

'We have a good time with your folks darling don't we?' Brad smiled encouragingly. 'They almost never want to leave again.'

'They never want to leave this little brat,' she smiled accusingly at Lyndon, playfully pinching his cheeks.

'I am your angel momma,' Lyndon smiled adoringly at his mummy.

'Oh he is just so precious,' Keri smiled. 'What would you like to drink?' Keri offered. 'Tea, coffee, wine?'

'Coffee for Brad and I please. Lyndon will have a fruit juice, thank you.'

'Daddy please take me to the bathroom.'

'May we?' Brad asked Keri.

'Yes off course. Gosh it's your place,' Keri pleaded.

'Thank you,' Brad assisted his son to the guest bathroom. Brad observed the master bedroom was unused. He observed perfume bottles  and cosmetics on the counter in front of the mirror in the smaller bedroom.

'Let me help you,' Tessa offered Keri.

'Tessa thank you for allowing me to stay here. It's truly like a hotel, and I mean you've stocked up supplies here like I'm going to be here for a month.'

Hopefully permanently.

'Oh nothing goes to waste Keri,' Tessa assured her. 'We have lots of homes that benefit from our foundation,' Tessa added coffee to the percolator. Keri placed biscuits on a tray.

'Lyndon is so gorgeous,' Keri smiled, just like his daddy. Err-umm, what I mean is he looks just like his daddy. Oh boy I feel so embarrassed.'

Tessa laughed, 'I agree Lyndon's daddy is gorgeous,' Tessa bit on her lower lip.

'I would never---,' Keri stammered, holding the tray of biscuits in her hand.

'I know,' Tessa hugged Keri. 'How you holding up?' Tessa asked softly.

'It's tough,' Keri's eyes moistened. 'Sometimes I want to cry.'

'It's good to cry,' Tessa soothed, 'but be strong Keri.'

'Momma may I have a biscuit please?' Tessa and Keri turned around to see Brad holding onto  Lyndon's hand. Whilst Brad's face was a mask, he was smiling down at Lyndon, both Keri and Tessa wondered how much Brad had overheard. Even though Tessa had briefly informed Brad, she did not want Keri embarrassed.

'I will have a biscuit too, thanks Keri?' Brad broke the ice.

'Sure,' Keri walked forward. She lowered the tray to Lyndon. He helped himself to two chocolate biscuits. Brad accepted a biscuit with a lemon filling.

'Thank you Keri,' Lyndon politely offered.

'It's a pleasure Lyndon,' Keri smiled.

'There you go darling,' Tessa handed Brad a mug of coffee.

'I will have coffee please, if you don't have my fruit juice.'

'No coffee for you,' Tessa laughed.

'But momma---.'

Tessa lifted Lyndon into her arms, 'a little birdie tells me Keri does have fruit juice. 'May I?' Tessa pointed to the refrigerator.

'Off course, please don't ask,' Keri pleaded.

'Where's the birdie?' Lyndon laughed.

'Oh he's---he's, he didn't tell me where he flew away to,' Tessa laughed, unable to offer an adequate reply.

'Keri, why don't you visit the office tomorrow?' Brad invited.

'Oh thank you. I would love to see where you work,' Keri smiled at Tessa.

'I'll send a driver. Will ten o' clock be okay?' Tessa offered.

'Yes, perfect,' Keri accepted.

'Would you like another biscuit Lyndon?' Keri offered him the tray.

'Thank you,' Tessa mouthed the words to Brad, he winked. He would assist his wife anyway he could to convince Keri to stay, if Keri entertained the idea. If she did not, Brad would respect her decision.

'Ladies, shall we take our seats again?' Brad extended courteously.

'Yes, thanks,' Tessa linked her arm into Brad's. 'Keri thinks you're gorgeous,' Tessa whispered.

'Did you tell her I'm married?'

'Yep, I laid down the law,' Tessa spoke in a grave tone.

'We'd like you to come to dinner on Friday evening Keri,' Tessa smiled.

'Dinner?'

'Yes, to our home,' Tessa explained.

'Oh.'

'It's not a dungeon that only serves brown bread and water,' Brad laughed, placing his empty coffee mug on the table

'I---well, thank you,' Keri accepted uncomfortably.

'Would you like more coffee darling?'

'No thank you,' Brad smiled at his wife.

'Daddy---.'

'You are not having anymore biscuits Lyndon,' Tessa pre-empted.

Lyndon looked at his daddy pleadingly.

'Mummy has spoken,' Brad asserted in a serious tone. Lyndon climbed up onto his daddy's lap and draped his head on his shoulder.

'Aww, he is so cute,' Keri whispered to Tessa.

Brad's phone buzzed, he excused himself, and stood up with ease, still carefully clasping one arm around Lyndon.

'Kerri, you must tell me what interests you. The theatre, or the movies or an evening around town, I'd like to take you out one evening before you leave.'

'Oh, I don't want to drag you away from your family,' Keri declined.

'If I give my husband advance warning, he's very accommodating,' Tessa smiled.

'I just love how happy the two of you are,' Keri smiled.

'We are,' Tessa agreed, thinking about the marathon session they had in each other's arms. She looked up at her husband indulgently. Brad looked at his watch, spoke into his mobile and ended the call. Tessa tried to decipher who he was talking to, but even after three years of marriage, with his face a mask, her husband was still sometimes a mystery.

'So you did not go to work today? Keri asked observing Tessa casually dressed in slim fitting denims.

'I--, I did go to the office, then we needed to fetch Lyndon from home,' Tessa answered, rather economically with the truth.

'You need to be somewhere?' Tessa enquired politely, when she noted Brad looking at his watch for the second time.

'Only when you are ready to leave,' Brad sat down next to his wife, and pressed his lips to her temple.

'It was lovely seeing you again Keri.' Tessa smiled. 'I look forward to seeing you at the office tomorrow,' Tessa stood up.

'I'm looking forward to it as well,' Keri smiled.

'Keri,' Brad smiled, and extended his hand saying goodbye.

'Bye Keri,' Lyndon clasped his daddy's hand tightly.

Oh please give me a hug,' Keri pleaded.

Lyndon pushed between his daddy legs and lifted his hands to his daddy.

'We are leaving Lyndon,' Brad reassured his son. 'Please give Keri a hug.'

Reluctantly Lyndon turned around and offered his arms to Keri. She dropped to her knees and gave him a tender hug.

'Thank you, Lyndon,' she smiled.

'Thank you for the biscuits and the juice,' he smiled.

'It's a pleasure.'

'Bye Keri,' Tessa hugged Keri. Brad opened the door so they could depart.

         -end chapter eight-