T/W:Mentions dealing with losing someone. And sex.

***
Steve

I'm hard at work, designing a new website for a dentist office, which by the way, is some serious cash. I haven't been as on edge since I left the modeling agency.

Cam had texted me a few times, but I never responded. After the undignified way she'd been acting, being so shamelessly flirty and flat out hinting that she wanted to get back with me after I rebuffed her, and she still kept on, I decided it was for the best to lose contact with her.

Lex and I have enough problems to deal with and I'm not going to create more.

***

I'm sitting at the café, sipping an iced coffee and scrolling through my emails. I have a few more job offers and I'm really pleased. As much money as I've been pulling in lately, I'm considering taking Lex and Aria on a week long vacation somewhere.

We could certainly use that and it would be good for our marriage. I haven't brought it up with Lex yet because I wanted to surprise her.

Plus, she's been a little...moody lately. I'd bet good money that it has to do with Knox Marshall. Although Lex hasn't flat out admitted anything to me, I know she's been seeing him.

I finish checking my emails, close my laptop and finish my iced coffee. As I'm leaving, an idea hits me. I go buy some flowers and head to the cemetery.

***
I walk up to Tim's grave, setting the flowers down.

"Hey, big brother," I murmur. "It's been a while. I'm sorry I haven't been here in so long. Life, you know."

I try to remember either Lex or myself was here. It's been a few months.

"A lot is going on," I say. "Lex and I are having some..problems." I stop, tears springing to my eyes. "Damn, I wish you were still around." I fumble in my shorts pocket for a tissue.

"You, uh, would have done so much better than..I would have." I wipe my eyes. I stare at the headstone.

Although each day, I wouldn't say gets easier, but the pain isn't as raw, it's still difficult to comprehend the fact that my big brother..gone.

Is this how Lex feels everyday? Like she can't breathe?

I turn to go, bit first, I touch the headstone, letting my fingers linger.

"I'll be back, big brother," I whisper. "Soon, I promise."

***

Unfortunately things take a turn for the worse as soon as I get back to my truck. Cam is standing there, waiting for me. I ignore her.

"Stevie, don't ignore me." I quickly get into the truck, not saying a word. I'm angry, but I cover it up pretty well. I feel violated, having Cam ambush me at the cemetery, when I just wanted a private moment, alone, at my brother's grave.

"Steve!" I turn the key in the ignition and pull out, heading for home.

***
Lex

The first thing I notice about Steve when he gets home, is his red rimmed eyes. Immediately, I'm worried he received bad news.

"Did something happen?" I ask Steve.

"No. I was just at..Tim's grave," he replies.

"Oh, Steve." I move to give him a hug.

"I'm okay," Steve murmurs. I look up into his face, touching his lips. He smiles.

"Are you?" Steve nods.

"Yeah."

"We should go back, as a family," I murmur, stroking Steve's beard. He nods, hugging me.

"I'm sorry I haven't went," I add, guilt assaulting me. I can't even remember the last time I went. Two months? Three? Possibly four?

Oh Speed. I'm so sorry.

"We were both guilty of not going for a long time," Steve murmurs, caressing my cheek. I cling to him, completely forgetting my earlier ache of..wanting to be with..Knox Marshall. Right now, all I want is to hold my husband.

***
"With all this extra money I've been pulling in," Steve says. "I've been thinking about taking you and Ari on a week long vacation."

"That'd be wonderful," I say.

"You'd like that?" Steve asks. I nod eagerly.

"Absolutely. Amy ideas as to where?" Steve shakes his head.

"Not really. We can decide together." I slide closer, holding Steve. He chuckles.

"We need to get away," I agree.

"My thoughts exactly." Steve kisses me and I touch his cheek.

"Things have been extremely stressful for us of late," Steve says. "We need to get away and just focus on our family for a while." I nod.

I can't help it; but my mind drifts to Knox. I quickly push him out of my mind. I don't want to ruin this precious and tender moment between Steve and me.

***
Steve

I decide to take Lex out for dinner. Shari agreed to babysit for Ari, so we could have some alone time. It's definitely needed.

Given with Cam hounding me mercilessly and Lex getting a little too cozy with Knox Marshall, she and I need some private time to ourselves.

"We can discuss where we'd like to take our family vacation," I tell Lex as I drive to the restaurant. Lex nods, reaching over to place her hand over mine. I stop at the stoplight, looking over at my beautiful wife.

"I'm game for whatever," Lex says. "As long as Aria will have fun."

"Of course." We reach the restaurant and go inside, Lex holding my hand we're shown to our table. She even decides to sit beside me instead of across from me.

"I want to propose a toast," I murmur. "To my beautiful wife." Lex leans over, gently kissing me.

"Keep this up, Mr. Speedle and you might get rewarded when you get home." I laugh, kissing Lex.

"I could deal with that.

***
Dinner is amazing. Steve and I really connect. I feel like these days, we've really been struggling with that. Even though Steve hasn't exactly gone into any details, I know his 'old friend' was more than such.

I trust Steve, though. He's not the two-timimg type. But I do think it was wearing on him. Especially since he's been so distant and uncomfortable lately. That's why I fully agree that a family vacation is the perfect thing for us right now.

***
I spot the faint flashes of lightening as we leave the restaurant. I'm not surprised it's going to storm. It's been so hot and humid lately that I expected it.

What I didn't expect: was the storm that rises up inside of me, pushing me to the brink of insanity.

***
I'm getting out of the car, heading up the front steps, holding Steve's hand.  We decided to come home and make love before going to pick up Aria from Mom's. We wanted to have some uninterrupted sex.

Unfortunately it doesn't get that far. Because she was waiting for us.

How, I don't know. Steve tries to get her out, but not before she grabs Steve, kissing him, right in front of me.

I don't even scream at her or Steve. I simply turn, running out of the house, into the pouring rain as Steve shouts out for me.

"Lexie! Come back! Lexie!" I just keep running, going to the one person who I know will help me.

Knox Marshall.

***
Steve

"What the hell?" I explode at Cam,  who's trying to appear contrite, but I know she's not.

"How did you even get in here?"

"I picked the lock," Cam replies. She steps closer, trying to touch me.

"I want you to leave, now," I say as calmly as I can. My mind is racing. I need to go find Lex. She's out in this horrible storm.

Anything could happen to her. Anything. And I'd never forgive myself if I were the cause of something.

"But, Stevie," Cam purrs.

"Get the hell out!" I shout. "Never bother me again or I'll have you arrested!" Cam in disbelief at me.

"What's happened to you, Steve?"

"I got married. Now go!" Cam makes no move to leave so I grab her arm, pulling her towards the door.

"It's storming out there! I could get hurt!"

"My wife could be hurt!" I snap. "Now go!" Cam sighs in frustration, stomping out. I race past her, getting into the truck.

"At least give me a ride!" Cam shouts. I ignore her. No frickin way am I helping her. Not after what she pulled. She doesn't deserve it.