T/W: Minor sexual content. Nothing explicit. Also mentions cheating.

***
Steve

I haven't spoken with Kris in almost two weeks. I consider dropping by the book store, but quickly drop that idea.

Kris showed up at an opportune time in my life. And while she was helpful, she also caused some unintentional friction between Lex and myself, only because I let that happen.

So I decide that I won't necessarily avoid Kris, but I won't seek her out on purpose.

I love Lex and I don't ever want to put her in a position where she feels like she needs to seek comfort and support elsewhere.

Namely from Knox Marshall or Eric Delko.

***
"Let's see if either your mom and Jay or my parents will watch the kids," I tell Lex one evening after dinner. Lex nods.

"You want to go out?" She asks. I smile mysteriously.

"I want to go out," I say. "Except I have something a little different in mind." Lex smiles.

"Okay. When?"

"This coming Saturday," I reply. Lex smiles again.

"Okay. I'll find out who's available to watch the kids."

"Perfect."

***
My parents decide to take the kids for a few hours, while Lex and I take off for the beach.

"We're going to the beach?" Lex teases me and I laugh.

"Yes. But not in the way you think." Lex frowns. I know her curiosity is piqued. I drive further down, away from the crowds, where I have something set up.

As I park, Lex climbs out, walking around to the driver's side  waiting for me. Then she takes my hand. I smile, leading her over where a small blue and white tent is set up.

We enter. Dave, Cass and Horatio are waiting inside. There are red and white rose petals littering the floor, along with some flameless candles and some incense burning. Lex's free hand flies to her mouth.

"I know I should have probably waited until our fifth wedding anniversary," I tell Lex. "But given everything that's happened, I wanted to do something special for you now."

Lex's eyes are moist as she squeezes my hand. "Oh, Steve. It's wonderful." I smile, leading Lex closer to the front.

"Alexandra Elizabeth Speedle, will you marry me? Again?" Lex laughs, as tears spill down her cheeks.

"Yes, Steven Michael Speedle, I will. As many times as you want."

***
After H performs the "ceremony," he, Dave and Cass offer their congratulations and take off, leaving Steve and I alone.

Then Steve screws my brains out, on some pillows and blankets that he had Cass set up. Afterwards, we just lie there, holding each other.

"I wasn't sure I'd get this opportunity again," Steve murmurs, playing with my loose hair.

"We definitely hit the roughest patch we ever had since we've been married," I agree, tracing my finger over Steve's face, especially his lips and beard.

"Sometimes it just happens," Steve says.

"I wish it hadn't," I whisper.

"That's life, Lexie," Steve murmurs. "Not everything in our marriage is going to be fun."

"True," I agree.

"What we have to remember in those times is that we're in this together."

"We're supposed to be playing on same team," I murmur. "Not against each other."

"Yes," Steve says, leaning in to kiss me. I slide closer so our bodies are touching. I draw my thumb across Steve's lips.

"I could have been more flexible," I tell him. "Instead of insisting on doing everything my way."

"You could have," Steve says. "But how I see it; you weren't thinking clearly.  You were worried you were going to lose someone else you'd come to care for."

"That's a sorry excuse for acting like a self righteous bitch," I say.

"Probably." Steve begins massaging my hand. "I could have been more understanding," he says softly.

"Yes," I say. "You felt like I was putting more of my time and energy on Knox instead of you." I look into those beautiful dark eyes that remind me so much of Speed's. "That had to hurt."

"It did," Steve admits. "It was why I thought about..cheating on you."

"You wanted to hurt me the way I hurt you," I say. Steve nods.

"That was wrong of me."

"We both made some bad choices," I say. "We should learn from this and move on." Steve smiles.

"I couldn't agree more, Mrs. Speedle."

***
The next time I visit Knox, he decides to explain to me where his family is.

"My parents died a few years back," he says. "Car accident."

"How awful," I murmur. "I'm so sorry." Knox shrugs.

"Do you have any siblings?" I ask.

"One younger sister," Knox replies. "She lives out on the West Coast. We aren't close."

"So you thought I could fill in," I say.

"If you'd rather not, I understand."

"I'm more than happy to fill in," I tell Knox. He grins.

"Thanks, Lex."

"Of course."

"Also, it looks like there's a strong possibility I could be out of here much sooner than I anticipated."

"That's great!" I say.

"One catch," Knox adds.

"What's that?"

"I'll have someone living in with me," Knox says.

"How do you feel about that?" I ask.

"It'll take some getting used to, for sure," Knox says. "But as long as I'm in my own home, it'll be manageable." I reach for his hand.

"If there's anything I can do, just tell me," I say. Knox laughs.

"I promise to, Lex." He pats my hand. "You've been a good friend. Thank you."

"You're most welcome, Knox."

***
Steve

I'm currently working on another website for a small business. A woman who just started her own clothing shop. She said she couldn't pay me a ton of money. I agreed to do it because I feel it's important to spread the word about small, local businesses.

My cell starts to ring. I don't recognize the number, but I answer it anyways because, of course, it could be a potential client.

"Steve Speedle," I answer.

"Steve, hey. It's Knox." I frown. Why is Knox calling me?

"Hey, Knox," I say. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"No," Knox responds. "I just wanted to personally thank you for allowing Lex to support me.

Way to sucker punch me, dude.

"Of course," I say.

"I know you weren't too enthusiastic about it."

"I wasn't," I say.

"Listen," Knox murmurs. "I tried to tell Lex she didn't need to help me. But I know I'm preaching to the choir here, when I say: Lex is pretty damn stubborn when she makes up her mind."

"You are."

"Anyways, it probably means jack shit," Knox tells me. "But I wanted to say thanks."

"You've got balls, I'll give you that," I say.

"I suppose I do," Knox says. "Although maybe not as much as I should."

"Look," I say quietly. "For reasons unknown to me, Lex cares about you. I'm not entirely comfortable with that, but if it means something to her, I'll deal with it."

"Lex loves you, Steve," Knox says bluntly. "You should thank your lucky stars you've found someone who feels that way about you. There are far too many marriages out there that lack genuine love."

"Uh, sure." I'm ready to hang up on Knox. This is getting too personal.

"I apologize if I overstepped," Knox adds quietly. "I'd just hate to see you and Lex end your marriage over my personal crap."

"We'll be fine," I say crisply.

"I know you will," Knox murmurs. "Because while Lex may have been preoccupied with me, you're the one who truly holds her heart."

***
"Knox called me today," I tell Lex. She looks surprised.

"Whatever for?" She asks.

"To officially thank me for allowing you to be there for him," I answer. Lex's eyes get moist.

"That was big of him," she murmurs. "That had to take a lot of nerve."

"It did." I clear my throat. "He..also wouldn't stop telling me how much you..love..me."

That does it for Lex. She's crying. I take her in my arms as she clings to me.

"Are you all right?" I ask softly. Lex nods. She composes herself.

"He's right," Lex murmurs, twisting around in my grasp and looking up at me.

"I do love you." I smile, feeling a little emotional myself.

"I guess sometimes I think you really didn't want..me," I say. Lex grabs me, holding tightly.

"How could I want anyone else?" She asks. "You're my everything, Steve. I'd be so lost without you." Lex kisses me. I smile.

"I really am lucky," I murmur. Lex grins.

"No, Stevie. I am."

***

A/N: And that's a wrap on book 7!