Run In

Janie ended up staying the night. Neither one of us got much sleep at all.

In the morning, I called Reed to see if he spoke to Devon at all but he hadn't heard from him since the day he left my place with Janie. When I told him what Janie told me, he was stunned.

"No way!" He exclaimed. "He's my best friend Amber, if he were going to pack up and leave, he would tell me!"

"Well his condo is empty and his parents don't know where he is. What else could that mean except that he left town?"

"No," Reed insisted. "He would've told me! You don't keep things like that from your best friend!"

"Don't yell at me," I told him. "I'm just telling you what I was told."

"Sorry darling," he sighed. He told me that he didn't believe for one second that Devon would leave town. "Everything he wanted is here," he told me. "He wouldn't give up like this, especially when he got Janie to give him...well..."

"Well what?"

"I was going to say a chance to explain but I guess they didn't do much talking."

Although Reed insisted that Devon wouldn't leave town, with the evidence that we had, what other conclusion were we supposed to jump too? And after making a few calls and talking to some people, Reed was starting to second guess himself.

"He couldn't have left town," he told me Sunday night as we sat on the couch together. "It doesn't make sense."

"But Reed things haven't been going that well for him lately, maybe he just needed some time to figure out what he was doing? He did have three weeks booked off work for the honeymoon, maybe he decided to get away?" I frowned and then added. "But that wouldn't explain where his stuff went."

So as far as I knew, Devon had left town.

At least that's what I thought.

I was waiting at the meat counter at Sobey's for the people ahead of me to finish when I spotted Devon pushing a shopping cart...with Annette by his side! Or I guess I should say Kelly! I couldn't believe my eyes! I thought for sure I was seeing things but they were still there when I rubbed my eyes and looked again.

Stepping out of line, I quickly rolled my cart in their direction, stopping only when my cart was directly in front of theirs. Devon was saying something to Ann - Kelly, he didn't see the cart and was visibly shocked when his cart stopped short.

"Amber!" He shot me a questioning look. "Did you lose control or something?" I glared at him. "Oh," he glanced at A - Kelly and shrugged. "How are you doing?"

"How am I doing?"

He nodded slowly. "Yes, how are you doing?"

There were so many things that I wanted to say to him at that moment but I just called him a jerk and walked away.

"Amber!" There was a hint of laughter in his voice as he called out to me. "Wait a minute!" I didn't stop but I did slow down and before too long he was walking along side of me. "You are mad at me?"

"Jerk."

"What did I do?"

"Jerky things, you jerk."

"Amber," he grabbed hold of my arm and stopped me. "We could do this all day but I'm sure that you have better things to do; people who are waiting for you at home. Tell me what you are mad at."

I stared at him for the longest time, I was debating what I was going to say first.

"Well?"

I yanked my arm out of his hand and glared at him. "I thought you were different, I even told her that you were and she should give you a chance but you aren't, are you? You are still the same heartless bastard who played with her hopes and dreams; you'll never change." As I turned away from him, I told him I didn't want to see him again.

I was so mad, I didn't even bother to head to the check out with the stuff I had in the cart, I just abandoned the cart in the middle of the aisle and walked out.

Devon followed me.

Can I Get Some Me Time?

I haven't been in the mood to post in the last couples days; I think Reed passed his pissy mood onto me when he kissed me awake the other morning because damn was I bitchy! I was snapping at Reed for nothing and Alexis was just irritating the hell out of me but she wasn't doing anything bad or wrong, she was just being her normal self.

Finally I told Reed he needed to take Alexis and leave because they were both driving me insane! When he was heading out the door with Alexis, I told him not to come back. I think I scared him because you should've seen the look of utter shock on his face.

"But Amber..."

"No buts," I snapped. "I don't want to see either one of you until tomorrow! I just want to be alone! Why can't I be alone?" I felt like crying at that point, I didn't feel like myself and I hated that.

Both Reed and Alexis stared at me for the longest time. "Ok," he said softly. "Let me just grab some extra diapers and stuff for Alexis and we'll head over to the house." I stepped aside to let him pass.

A few minutes later, he was at my side again. "Ok we are set." He looked a little uncertain and very concerned.

I managed a tiny smile. "You two have fun." I moved closer to him to give Alexis a kiss. "Be good for daddy and I'll see you tomorrow." Alexis gave her dad a confused look, he kissed her forehead.

"It'll be ok Princess," he told her as if he was really trying to reassure himself. Maybe he thought I was completely losing my mind, and maybe I was.

My hand slid up his arm, he glanced at my hand and then at me. "I just need some time alone," I told him again. "Please try and understand."

With a slight nod, he slipped his arm around my waist and held me tight. "Try not to have too much fun without us," he joked before kissing me. "Did you want me to call you tomorrow? Or wait for you to call?"

"I would love it if you called," I told him. "Thank you for doing this honey."

He told me it wasn't a problem, kissed me again and then made his way out the door with Alexis. Once they disappeared from sight, I closed the front door and leaned back against it. I had no plans, I didn't really know why I wanted to be alone and I was starting to think that maybe I should call him to come back but I didn't.

A half hour later, I was in my bathroom. I dropped my robe and in the flickering candle light, I eased my body into the bath that I drew for myself. Laying back with my eyes closed, I started to cry. I had no idea why I was crying; it wasn't the body shaking cries of pain or anguish either, it was a calming cry. I have no idea if that makes sense but that's how it felt.

Then, a few minutes later, the tears stopped coming and I was laughing at how silly it was to cry for no reason.

But the strange thing is, it felt damn good afterwards. I felt damn good. I must've stayed in the bath for a good hour, just sitting there enjoying the silence.

After I got out of the bath and dried off, I went into my room to slip into my pjs but as I went to pull on the pants, I spotted one of Reed's shirts sitting in the laundry basket, folded neatly with the rest of our clothes that I washed earlier. I slipped into his shirt instead and then made my way out to the living room with a romance novel that I bought before I had Alexis but never had a chance to read.

As I read, I lost all contact with the world I was in to travel, with the heroine, all the way to the 'big' city to a conference where all her hopes and dreams were waiting to be realized. I was scared like she was when she realized she wasn't alone in her hotel room and as angry when she realized the hotel screwed up, she would have to share her room with the hunky hero of the book. Ok, maybe I wasn't angry like she was, I was actually thinking it wouldn't be so bad; she was single, he was single! Who wouldn't wish to be in a hotel room with a hot man who made your whole body tremble with one look?

The book was just starting to get interesting - the tension between the two of them as they tried to share the one bed in the room was intense, someone was going to 'break' soon - when the sharp shrill of the telephone beside me scared the bejesus out of me.

"This better be good," I snapped into the phone. "Some one was about to 'get' some!"

"WHAT?!?!" Reed yelled into the phone. I cringed, blushing I told him that I was reading a romance novel and they were about to relieve some tension. "Oh," he didn't seem too impressed. "You kicked us out so you could read some trashy romance novel?"

I sighed. "No, I asked you to take Alexis for the night so I could have some time alone. I relaxed in the bath for a while, slipped into one of your shirts and now I'm relaxing on the couch with a book." I frowned. "Why are you calling? Is there something wrong?"

"No," he told me. "I thought you might like to say good night to Alexis." When I told him I would, he put her on the phone. I told her I loved her, missed her and wished her a good night. "Ok," Reed came back on the phone. "I'm going to go put her to bed," he seemed reluctant to hang up.

"What's wrong Reed?"

After a brief silence, he sighed. "I was just debating if I should ask you something." I told him to go ahead. "Ok, I actually have to questions; which shirt of mine and are you naked underneath?"

I laughed, "Reed!"

"Oh come on darling, I don't get to hold you tonight, at least give me some thing to think about as I lay in my bed, missing you."

"Ok," I grinned. "It's your favorite 'kicking' around shirt and I'm completely naked underneath." I giggled, "The shirt doesn't cover me completely, you would see my naughty bits if you were with me right now."

"You are evil!" He groaned. "But I love you anyway. Good night my love."

"I love you too," I smiled. "Good night Reed."

When I hung up with him, I jumped back into the book.

But sadly I never got to see how it ended. Ten minutes after I started to read again, some one came banging on my door. "Amber please," I jumped when I heard Janie's voice calling out to me. "I need to talk to you, let me in! Amber!"

Dropping the book onto the floor, I grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and ran to the door. When I swung it opened, Janie threw herself at me as she sobbed. "Everything is so messed up, I don't know what I'm going to do!"

"Janie what are you talking about? What's wrong?" I stared down at her. "Where the hell have you been? It's been four days since I last heard from you!"

"I know," she sobbed. Releasing me, she kicked off her shoes and ran to curl up on the couch. "Things are so messed up! How did I screw it up this badly?"

"Screw what up? What's messed up?" I closed the door and made my way over to her. "What happened when you left here? Did you leave with Devon?"

She shook her head frantically and then started to bawl all over again. "Yes," she cried. "We went back to my place and we..." she sobbed. "We were only going to talk, he wanted to tell me something but he looked so good and I..." she sat up quickly. "He knows how to touch me Amber, he knows just where to kiss me to make me lost control..."

"You slept with him?" Janie nodded. "Did you enjoy it?" Her eyes went wide, she nodded fiercely. "Are you regretting it?" She nodded her head sadly. "What's wrong Janie?"

"We were just laying there afterwards, I went to kiss him and I saw all the bridal magazines sitting on my nightstand. I freaked, I jumped out of bed and told him he had to leave, it was a mistake and it would never happen again."

"What did Devon do?"

She groaned, "He looked hurt." She stared at me. "Really hurt, I've never seen him look like that before; he normally looked relieved to leave."

"But not this time?"

"No," she frowned. "He told me that he didn't believe he was a mistake and he hoped it would happen again. I told him that it wouldn't, I didn't want to be with him. He tried to tell me something and I told him that nothing he would say would make me change my mind."

"Oh no," I sighed. "Janie you should really listen to him, I think you will -"

"Amber I went to see him tonight, to tell him that I wanted to know what he was going to say but..."

"But what? He didn't want to talk to you?" She shook her head. "Well I guess he was probably still a little up-"

"No Amber!" Janie cut me off. "He wasn't there!"

"Well he has been..." she was shaking her head. "What do you mean no?"

"He's gone Amber," she started to sob again. "I ran into his neighbour on the way out and I asked him about Devon, he told me he saw Devon loading some stuff into his car a couple days ago and haven't seen him since."

"Maybe he is away on for work?"

She shook her head again. "I went to see his parents before I came here, they haven't seen him since the wedding and he was technically on 'vacation' at work." She stared up at me, her eyes blood red from crying. "His mom and I went to his condo Amber, there's nothing left. He's gone."

Brief Updates All Around

I still haven't heard from Janie or Devon, I'm hoping that this lack of communication means that they are somewhere talking about their future. I hope that Devon gets to tell her everything and that she tells him how much he has hurt her in the past. I hope that they can work through everything and be together.

Lucinda called me yesterday and told me she wanted to meet with me after I get off work today. "Please come alone to the hotel," she said. "As much as I would love to see Alexis and Reed, I just want to talk with you about some thing."

I told her it wouldn't be a problem but when I told Reed that his mother wanted to see me without him or Alexis, he seemed a little upset. He kept asking me 'why' and when I couldn't give him an answer that he liked, he called his mother only to be told that it was none of his business. So he was in a bad mood for the rest of the day. Is it possible for men to PMS?

And Reed's mood wasn't improved by the unexpected call I got from Chris last night, he wanted to know if he was allowed to bring someone to my party. "My party?" I didn't know what he was talking about. "What party?"

"Give me that," Reed grabbed the phone from me and walked away with it.

When I asked him later what Chris was talking about, he told me he didn't know. "But you..."

"I don't know Amber," he snapped before walking away once again.

So what do I think? I think he's lying to me and trying to hide the fact that he has something planned for my birthday which is coming up next month. If it's not that, then I have no idea what he's doing....but if Chris asked then Reed has to be planning something, right? Although, my birthday isn't until closer to the end of the month, so why would he need to know that now?

What else is going on? Oh, my parents invited us over for supper on Sunday. That should be alright, I really haven't seen my parents much lately so I'm looking forward to it.

Oh! And this morning, Reed's bad mood was gone! It was nice to be kissed awake and told that I was the most beautiful woman in the world. I know that Reed never misses a moment to tell me how he feels but still, I can't help but feel special every time that he tells me he loves me. I guess it all seems too good to be true still...

Make Love, Not War

I swear I wasn't the only one holding their breath when Devon told Janie that he loved her, I think Reed was kind of wrapped up in the moment too because he wrapped his arms around me and Alexis, holding us tight; I could hear him mumble something that sounded like, 'Come on he just needs one chance." I glanced over my shoulder at him and he smiled.

But Janie's laughter kind of spoiled the moment. "Love me?" She rolled her eyes at him. "You don't love anyone but yourself Devon! You never did!" When Janie started to laugh, Devon lowered his head, now he was staring at the floor pretty intensely. "Is that why Amber thinks that you are a different guy than before? Because you 'claim' to love me and you make nice with Alexis?" Devon didn't say anything. "Cat got your tongue?" Janie moved closer to him. "Why don't you tell the truth for once in your life!"

"Ok," Devon said softly and then with a speed that I didn't know he possessed, he grabbed Janie around the waist and pulled her to him. "I love you Janie and I know I don't deserve you but I was hoping that you cared enough about me to give me a second chance." He paused momentarily to search her expression for some sign of hope. "I can't offer you much," he told her and then shook his head. "I guess that's not true, I can give you almost everything your heart desires but I can't-"

"Get off me," Janie cut him off as she struggled to get free from him. "I don't want anything from you Devon! You had your chance," she snorted. "You've had more than your fair share of chances!"

"Janie please, there are some things that you -"

"No Devon! No!" Janie pushed him away. "I don't want to hear it, I don't want to be with you."

Devon turned his head away, I could see the emotions play across his features and I just wanted to cry for him. "Janie," he spoke softly when he turned to her again. "Are you seriously telling me that you are in love with Cary? That he makes you happy? That he makes you scream and thrash about like I do when we make love?"

Reed's arms tightened around me, "I make you do that, don't I?"

I reached back until my hand found his cheek, with my temple resting against his jaw, I told him that he was the only man I ever wanted in my bed.

"So you are great in bed," Janie said dismissively. "There is more to a relationship than sex Devon but you would know that if you ever had a real relationship with a woman."

Devon started to say something but Janie cut him off. "I have to go," she looked over his shoulder at me. "I just wanted to tell you that I'll have the invitations next week," she attempted to smile but her eyes wasn't in it. "I'll see you later Amber...Reed...Alexis." Without another word she spun on her heel and walked through the opened door.

Devon hesitated.

"What are you waiting for?" Reed asked him. "If you ..." He didn't get to finish that sentence, Devon ran out the door after Janie.

I heard him call out to her and then I heard a car door slam, followed by Janie screaming 'who the hell do you think you are?'

I put Alexis down on the floor to play and she started for the opened door. "I don't think so," I told her as I ran to the door to close it.

"Oh my!" I exclaimed.

"What?" Reed came up behind me. "Oh my indeed."

We stared out the open door at Devon and Janie.

Kissing.

Janie had Devon backed up against her car.

"So do you think she's really over him?" Reed asked me with a smile.

I laughed, "Well if they lean back any further..."

Reed shook his head, "My what a dirty minded girl you are!"

"You love it!" I told him as I closed the door.

"Yes," he moved closer to me, backing me up against the door. "I love you so much," he told me as his lips captured mine.

Janie and Devon left some time while Reed and I were making out on the couch.

I didn't hear from either of them since that night...I hope they worked out their differences!

When Friends Visit Unannounced

I wasn't even in the door five minutes yesterday when someone was knocking. When I went to answer it, I was surprised to see Devon standing on my door step. "Hello," I stared up at him and asked him what he was doing here.

"I wanted to see Alexis," he told me. "I haven't had a drink since you told me you wouldn't let me see her, so?" He glanced past me, "Can I see her?"

I couldn't smell any alcohol on him nor did he seem like he was under the influence. "Sure," I stepped back and let him in the house. "She's -"

"Alexis?" Devon called out as he went and that's when I noticed he was holding a gift bag in his hand. "Lexi sweetie, uncle Devon has a present for you."

Alexis appeared around the corner as if she heard he had something for her and she wanted it. When she saw him, she sat up and held out her hands to him. "Dada," she said and I gave Devon a dirty look.

"I didn't ask her to call me that, it is close to my real name," he shrugged but when he scooped Alexis off the floor to carry her back into the living room, I heard him say something along the lines of 'I wish I was your daddy but I'm not.'

Despite the fact that Alexis called him daddy, I was happy that Devon was there because it gave me time to get started on supper and do a little cleaning up before Reed got home. I can't tell you how good it made me feel to hear Alexis' giggles as she 'talked' to Devon in the other room; all concerns that I had about having Devon around her seemed to disappear.

I had just finished putting the meatloaf I was making for supper into the oven when there was a knock on my door. With a quick check into the living room to make sure that they were still doing ok, I headed for the door.

"Janie?" I was probably more surprised to see her than I was to see Devon. "Are you ok?" She wasn't looking at me, she was looking at the car in my driveway, Devon's car.

"I shouldn't be here," she said quickly and went to turn away but stopped. "I didn't come because he as here, I wanted to talk to you."

"I believe you," I told her and held out my hand to her. "Why don't you come into the kitchen with me? Devon won't even know that you are here if you don't want him too."

She hesitated but gave in a moment later. "Why is he here?" She asked as I closed the door behind us but I didn't get a chance to answer before Devon's laughter came from the living room, followed by Alexis' 'talking' and giggling. "He's with Alexis?" She gave me a confused look as she moved towards the living room so she could peek in. "Why is he with Alexis?" Janie asked when she returned to my side.

"He wanted to spend some time with her," I told her.

"But why?" She looked so confused and then slowly she seemed to come up with some explanation, little did I know the extend to which she tended to go. "Is he...?" She glanced towards the living room and then back to me.

"Is he what?" It was my turn to be confused.

"Alexis...is he..." she couldn't seem to get the question out.

"What about Alexis?"

She didn't say anything for the longest time and when she did speak, I couldn't believe what I heard. "Reed is her father, right?"

My jaw dropped to the floor, if there was a pin around to drop, you would've been able to hear it as it hit the floor too. "Of course he is!" I stared at her in disbelief. "You know he is! Why would you ask me something like that?"

"I just..." she motioned towards the living room. "I've never seen him with any kids before now, he always said he hated them."

I wanted to laugh and tell her she was crazy but then I realized that she didn't know what I did. "I've told you before Janie, there is more to Devon than you realized."

"What does that mean?" She asked but I didn't say anything, I headed back to the kitchen where I started on the rest of supper. "What do you know about Devon that I don't?" She joined me in the kitchen.

"I know that he's not the man I thought he was and that Alexis loves it when she gets to play with him," I glanced at her. "And he doesn't like it when he can't get to see her."

Janie sat down across from me, she seemed lost in her own little world as I started to peel the potatoes for supper.

It must have been a good half hour from the last time she spoke till the moment I heard Reed's keys in the door. I listened to Reed as he stopped by the living room to see how Alexis was doing. "Is Janie here?" I heard him ask Devon.

I didn't hear if Devon replied to him, I really don't think he did because he wouldn't have had time from the moment Reed mentioned Janie's name till the moment he appeared in the kitchen.

"Hey Devon," I glanced over my shoulder at him but he wasn't even looking at me, he was staring at Janie who was staring right back at him. "Reed!" I smiled when he entered the room behind Devon. I stood up and made my way over to him, giving him a kiss when he pulled me into his arms. I was about to ask him if he saw Alexis and lead him out of the kitchen so Devon and Janie could be alone, when Devon found his voice.

"Janie," he said her name so softly and he started to move towards her.

"No," she jumped up and backed away. "I'm not here to see you!"

"We need to talk," Devon told her.

"No," she started towards the front door. "I don't know what you've done to fool Amber into thinking that you are a different guy than she remembers but you aren't fooling me! A leopard doesn't change his spots and you will only ever care about you."

Janie blew past him without even looking at him again.

And Devon watched her go.

Until she reached for the front doorknob. "Janie," he called out to her and she paused for a moment with her hand on the knob but she didn't look back or say anything. Devon didn't move from the spot he was in, "People can change," he told her. "But one thing that will never change is the way I feel about you."

Janie shook her head and laughed. "Great, you'll always think of me as a bed buddy." She opened the door and turned around. "I'm so over you Devon."

Devon sighed, "That really sucks," he told her. "Because I love you Janie."

Slow Sunday

Yesterday Reed and I took Alexis to the park for a change in scenery, not that she really cared where we were just as long as we were with her and giving her all of our attention. Since Reed insisted on making a lunch and bringing it with us, we ended up staying at the park most of the day.

When we got back to my place, Reed told me that he had to go do some stuff for his mom. "Why don't you come with me?" He asked. "Mother would love to see you and Alexis."

"I'd love to honey but," I glanced at the sleepy little girl in my arms. "Some one needs a nap badly otherwise she'll be cranky," I paused and then said. "And I think Alexis is sleepy too."

Reed laughed, hard.

"It wasn't that funny," I playfully poked him in the ribs.

"No?" He reached for me, pulling me close. "It was pretty funny darling," he kissed my cheek before asking if he could tuck me in.

Once Alexis was sleeping peacefully in her crib, Reed reluctantly left to go help his mother out. "I won't be long," he told me.

Twenty minutes later, I heard a car pull up and footsteps in the steps. I flew to the door and swung it opened. "Reed that...you aren't Reed!" I stared wide eyed at Reed's father. "What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" He asked, ignoring my question.

"No," I snapped. "I have nothing to say to you and Reed won't like it when he finds out that you were here." I went to close the door but Roger stopped me.

"I just want five minutes of your time," he looked at me. "Just five minutes?" I was about to tell him no but there was something in his features that kind of worried me. He looked tired and older than he ever had before.

"Five minutes," I stepped back from the door and let him come in. "Reed isn't going to like that you are here," I told him again.

"Yes," he seemed a little distracted. "Are you alone?" He turned towards me, "Reed isn't here but is anyone else?"

I frowned, "Who else would be here besides Reed? I'm not cheating on him!"

"I never said you were Amber," Roger made his way over to the couch, sitting down. "I meant, is Lucinda here?" He seemed a little hopeful when he said her name but all hope disappeared when I told him that she wasn't there.

"What do you want Roger?" It was a couple minutes since either one of us said anything and I was getting more and more nervous having him in my house.

"I need your help," he told me without looking at me.

"My help?" I laughed. "Why on earth would I help you? You've done everything in your power to ruin my life, you turned to get Reed to deny me and our daughter!" I shook my head, "You are crazier than I thought if you think I would help you in any way."

"This isn't about you!" He snapped at me and I glared at him. "Lucinda left and I don't know where she is, or if she's ok. Reed isn't talking to me and there are rumors at work that he's talking about leaving the company." Roger stood up, "Is he Amber? Is Reed looking elsewhere for employment?"

"I don't have anything to say to you," I told him and then added. "If you want to know if Reed is planning on leaving or not, try talking to him! And as for Lucinda, I don't blame her for not talking to you! That was your own stupid fault! Who tells their wife that they don't love them?"

"What?" Roger paled. "I never told Lucinda that I didn't love her!"

"Yes you did!" I walked towards the front door, opening it. "That was your five minutes, not please leave."

"Amber," Roger came over to me. "I didn't tell her I didn't love her! Why would I lie about that?"

I shrugged, "Because you don't care who you hurt? Your wife, your son, or even your own granddaughter it doesn't seem to matter as long as you get what you want. But this time it looks like neither one of them is going to take it anymore." I put my hand on his shoulder and almost pushed him out the door.

"When did I tell Lucinda that I didn't love her?"

I sighed, "The night you tried to set Reed up with Faith."

"No!" He shook his head. "I never said that to her! I wouldn't!" He stared at me, "I love my wife Amber."

I almost laughed but I didn't. "Well your actions and words have shown Lucinda the complete opposite. Good bye Roger." I went to close the door but he stopped me.

"You have to help me," he said desperately. "You have to convince Lucinda to come home, it's not the same without her there; it's cold and lonely."

"You should've thought about that when you told her that you didn't marry for love," I slammed the door in his face and went to walk away.

"That doesn't mean I don't love her!" He shouted through the door. "Our marriage was arranged!" He continued, "She may have been picked for me but I swear I loved her before we said our vows!"

"Then go tell her that!" I yelled back. "Instead of using your 'power' to ruin my relationship with your son, why don't you use it to repair your relationship with your wife?"

I waited and waited but there was no response.

And then I heard footsteps running down the steps.

I watched through the window as Roger got in his car and sped off.

When Reed came home last night, I told him about his father's visit and what he said. I was expecting him to be upset that I told him father anything but he surprised me. "Good," he said with a sigh and when I asked him why, he told me that he was worried about his mother. "She's trying to pretend that everything is ok with her but I can see the difference in her, she's not happy on her own."

She Says You Aren't Faithful

I ran into Janie after work yesterday.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She said the second she saw me.

I was going to play dumb and get her to admit that she was still interested in Devon but I didn't have the energy, I didn't sleep that well the night before. "Because you keep telling me that you don't care what Devon does!"

"Amber!" Janie groaned and started to pace in front of me. "What happened?" She stopped suddenly. "No one seems to know why the wedding didn't happen but I know you do! Tell me what happened."

"No," I shook my head. "It's not my place to tell anyone why Devon and Annette didn't get married, I suggest you talk to him if you want to know."

"What?" Janie stared at me in disbelief. "You are my best friend! Why won't you tell me?"

"Because I'm not your go between!" I snapped. "If you want Devon then go and work it out yourself and leave me out of it!"

Janie jumped back. "Amber what is wrong with you? I only asked you a simple question!" She glanced at Alexis who was looking up at us from her stroller. "Is there something going on with Reed?"

"No," I shook my head but she didn't believe me.

After leading me off to a more private location, she asked me what was wrong. "It's stupid," I told her. "I know it's not true but still..." I sighed.

"Tell me Amber."

I didn't want too but I found myself telling her all about the phone calls from the crazy chick. "I know he loves me Janie and I know he wouldn't cheat on me but..."

"There's a part of you that thinks she might be telling the truth?" I nodded. "Amber you know that's crazy, if there ever was a guy who wouldn't cheat, Reed is that guy. You have to talk to him about this."

"I don't think I can."

"Amber you have too! It's upsetting you so you have to tell him about the calls and maybe he can do something to find out who is doing this. If you don't, you could ruin your relationship; this could drive a wedge between you two."

"I know what you are saying is right but what if he -"

"No!" Janie shook her head. "Reed loves you! And you already know the crazy chick was lying once so I wouldn't trust her at all."

I nodded and told her that I would talk to Reed. "And Janie, you should really talk to Devon; there are things that you don't know about him that could change the way you look at him."

"Like what Amber?"

I smiled at her. "Talk to him," I told her and then said I had to get going.

"Why can't you just tell me?" She called out after me.

Alexis and I were in the kitchen when Reed came home; I was in the middle of making rice for supper and Alexis was playing with a book in her highchair. Reed let himself in and soon he was in the kitchen with us. After stopping to give Alexis a kiss on the forehead, he made his way over to me. "Hello my love," he murmured against my neck while I mixed the onion/green pepper/mushroom/egg mixture into the cooked rice.

"Honey," I dropped the spoon I was using as I turned in his arms. "I'm so glad you are here," I told him and then gave him the hottest kiss I could possibly give him.

"Mmmm," his eyes were still closed when I pulled back from him. I smiled, kissing him once again. "Even better," he told me when I moved back the second time. "Why don't we skip supper, put Alexis down and then spend some 'quality' time together?" He brushed his lips against my cheek. "What do you say?"

"I say, I'm starving and supper is ready."

"Rain check?" He asked hopefully as I turned back to the stove.

"If you are a good boy and eat all your supper," I told him jokingly.

"Yes!" He exclaimed and then told me that he expected some super hot kisses like the one I just gave him when we were alone later.

After supper Reed played with Alexis in the living room as I finished up the dishes and then we both gave her a bath, got her ready for bed and I sat with her in my arms while Reed read us both a story.

"Good night Princess," Reed whispered when he gave her a kiss on the forehead before taking her from me to put her in her crib. "Sleep tight and don't wake up because daddy needs some mommy time."

"Reed!" I slapped his arm.

"Come on darling," he smiled as he turned from the crib to lead me out of Alexis' room.

We were lying naked in each others arms after making love when Reed turned to tell me that he was able to stay the whole night because Devon finally got the hint and was trying to remain sober. "He seemed really upset that you told him he couldn't see Alexis and when I told him that I wasn't about to go against you in that decision he told me that if that was all it took to be able to see Alexis, then consider it done; he threw out all the alcohol that he bought the day before."

"That's great," I told him. "I hope that he understands why I didn't want him around her when he was drunk."

Reed nodded, "We spent most of the night talking about Alexis, you and what happened the last couple months with him. He seems to have some sort of plan to change his life so he can get what he really wants."

"He's going to talk to Janie?" I was excited by the idea. "I ran into her today, she found out that he didn't get married and wanted me to tell her why; I told her if she wanted to know she had to talk to him."

"Good for you!" Reed smiled at me. "I know it's hard for you to sit back and let it happen on it's own but I'm really proud of you Amber."

"Well," I hesitated and then told him I wouldn't be so proud. "I didn't tell her because I had some stuff on my mind."

"What's on your mind love?"

I sighed, "I don't know how to say this without it sounded like I believe it," I glanced up at him. "I don't believe it Reed, I know it's not true but having someone say it doesn't make me feel good at all."

"Tell me what it is and I'll beat up whoever is making you feel bad."

"It's about you," I said softly.

"About me?" He raised a brow, "So what are people saying about me?"

"Well it's not 'people', it's actually only one person; a chick and I don't even know who she is because she always whispers and the number doesn't show up..."

"Amber you aren't making sense," Reed shifted so that he was lying on his side, facing me. "What is this chick saying about me that is making you feel bad?"

I took a deep breath, "She only called me twice and like I said I don't believe her at all because I know you better than that but it still doesn't feel good to have someone say that about you."

"You are losing me love, what is she saying?"

I lifted my head, my eyes met his. "When she calls, she says that you are with her. She says I'm a fool to think that you love me when you are screwing her behind my back." I sighed, "She has called twice."

Reed was staring at me, this look of utter disbelief on his face. "You aren't a fool Amber, you are the only woman for me; I haven't been with anyone else since the night we met."

"I know."

"You do?"

I nodded, "I know you love me Reed and I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me or Alexis. I didn't believe her, I don't believe her but I'm worried that someone out there thinks that they can break us up." I lifted my hand to his face, my fingers brushed against his cheek. "I love you so much Reed, I don't want to lose you again."

"Amber," Reed groaned softly as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him. "You won't lose me, I would be nothing without you." He promised me that he would do whatever he could to find out who was calling me and stop them. "I won't stand by and let someone hurt you Amber."

Craziness

After I got off work yesterday Alexis and I stopped off at the grocery store for some much needed food. Reed had called me just after I got in the store and I told him what we were doing.

"I never had a date in a grocery store," he said before adding that he'll meet me there in a few minutes.

The first thing I do when I stop into a grocery store is go immediately to the baked goods section, there's nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread and cookies. I was waiting for my turn at the cookie/doughnut counter when someone tapped my shoulder. "Chris!" I was really surprised to see him, Nadine hadn't said much about him lately so I thought he went back home and I told him that.

"Yeah Aunt Nadine told me that she wasn't sure if she should talk about me around you because of what happened with us," he smiled. "I told her it didn't matter but she doesn't want to cause any problems between you and Reed."

"Problems?" I shook my head, "I don't think she could, it's not like Reed doesn't know about you or that we went out a couple times."

"Or that we made out a couple times," he piped up and then apologized. "That was a stupid thing to say. So how is Reed?"

I went to tell him that Reed was good but got cut off by the man himself as he slipped up behind me. "Reed is great," he told Chris with a smile.

"Hey honey!" I turned to give him a kiss. "I'm glad you could make it, I wasn't sure what kind of doughnuts to get."

As Reed turned his attention towards the glass display, Chris asked how his mother was doing. "Mom is doing fine Chris," Reed glanced at him. "She told me to thank you when I saw you again."

"Really?" Chris seemed a little surprised. "Why did she say that?"

Reed shrugged, "She told me that something you said at the party on Canada Day really helped her deal with what's going on with my father." Reed paused and then asked him what he said to his mother.

"I'm not sure what exactly she meant," Chris told Reed. "I said lots of stuff that night."

"Hmm," Reed glanced at me and then back at Chris. "I guess it doesn't matter, what ever you said she wanted you to know she appreciated it."

"I'm glad I could help," Chris told him. "Lucinda reminds me of my mom." Soon he excused himself and went on his way.

Reed let out a breath when Chris left. "What was that for?" I asked him.

He laughed, "You are going to think I'm crazy," he told me. "But at the party I was kinda of wondering if he was hitting on my mom!"

"Well you know, having a guy pay attention to you when you are feeling down is the best way to feel better quick," I smiled at him. "And your mother did say Chris was a handsome young man," I almost died laughing when Reed cringed and shot me a dirty look.

"I don't even what to think about my mom..." he trailed off and cringed again.

It was really difficult but I managed not to bug him too much about the possibility of Chris becoming his new 'daddy'.

Reed insisted on cooking when we got home from the store, so I left him to it and went to play with Alexis.

After we had supper and Alexis was sleeping, Reed and I spent the night cuddling while we watched some TV.

Because Devon was still at his house, Reed didn't stay the night like he wanted too but he did tell me that Devon called him earlier and he didn't sound as drunk as he thought he would.

"Maybe what I said to him sunk in."

He froze, "When did you see Devon? I thought I asked you not to see him?"

"Reed, he called me this morning!" I sighed and then told him what I told Devon. "He seemed really upset that he wouldn't be allowed to see Alexis so I hope that means he's thinking about cleaning up and staying sober."

The room was silent for a few minutes, I thought Reed was upset with me. "I'm sorry honey but I couldn't not tell him."

Shaking his head, Reed laughed. "I don't know why I even bother to ask you not to do something, you do it anyway."

"You aren't mad at me?"

"No, I'm not, Devon really needed to hear something that would make him smarten up so thank you."

When Reed left, I went to bed.

Only to be woke up by the phone at 2 in the morning. It was the crazy chick again claiming that Reed was in her bed at the moment. "You really need to get a life," I told her. "Reed isn't in your bed, he wouldn't cheat on me."

"No?" She laughed. "I guess if I were you, I would think the same thing but you are just fooling yourself."

"Why don't you stop being a bitch?" I asked her. "Why not use your normal voice and stop whispering?"

She ignored my questions. "Reed really knows how to used his mouth," she groaned. "I don't think I've ever cum so quickly as I did when he went down on me earlier." I heard some rustling on her end and she gasped. "Oh!" She giggled and told me she had to go, "He's awake and he wants more."

I hung up the phone and stared at it. "I refuse to believe that Reed is cheating on me!" I yelled at the phone.

I didn't give into the urge to call his house to see if he was home. I wasn't going to let some lying bitch make me doubt my man.

Am I crazy? Should I had called him? Do I ask him about it?

I don't see him cheating but yet part of me is cracking...I can feel it, the little tear in my belief that Reed is an honest man who wants to be with me and only me. I don't want to be that woman, I want to trust him completely and right now I don't have any reason to believe he would do something that stupid.

Except some crazy chick's word that she was with him last night. The same crazy chick who claimed she was with him the night of Devon's bachelor party and he wasn't.

Slowing Down

So Lucinda moved into her new place yesterday and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I know that in the beginning I wasn't too friendly towards her but since she left Roger and was staying with Reed, we've gotten closer.

"Promise me you'll come by to see me," she said before Reed and I left for the last time last night.

I told her I promised. "I'll come by tomorrow after work with Alexis, what do you say?" Out of the corner of my eye I saw Reed frowning and so did his mother.

With a laugh she told me that she could wait a day or two. "It looks like Reed wants you to himself." Reed grinned, nodding lots.

When we left Lucinda's we went back to my place because Devon was at Reed's...drunk and I told Reed I wasn't having Alexis around him when he's like that. Reed understood because he didn't want Alexis around him like that either but he hated that he couldn't take Alexis down to the beach and sit with her as the water lapped at their feet. Alexis loved that, she would get excited as the water neared her feet, you could actually feel the excitement building in her and then when the water touched her, she just giggled like a mad child. He hated missing out on bonding time with her.

"I think I'm going to tell Devon he needs to find some place else to go," Reed told me as we gave Alexis a bath.

"Where is he going to go?"

Reed shrugged, "I don't know, he keeps saying he has no where to go and I don't want to seem like a jerk but he needs to get out of my house!"

"Maybe I should talk to him," I told Reed.

"Hell no!" Reed dropped the washcloth and stared at me. "I don't want you talking to him when I'm not around."

"What?" I rolled my eyes. "I can handle Devon, I don't need you there to 'protect' me Reed."

"Amber he has done nothing but hit on you every time he's around you, I don't like it and I don't need him to tell me how hot my woman is! I bloody well know how hot you are!"

Smiling, I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Hot enough to keep you coming back for more."

"Yes," he gazed at me. "At least that hot."

Reed wanted to stay over last night but he wasn't sure about leaving Devon unattended and drunk in his house, so he stayed until 11 and then went home.

This morning I got a call from Reed's number just after 8, I thought it was Reed but as I answered the phone I realized that he would already be at work.

"What do you want Devon? I'm in a hurry, I have to get to work."

"Ammm-berrr!" He laughed.

He was drunk. Sigh. "Devon I don't have time for this."

"Skip work, call in sick."

"I can't Devon and besides Alexis wants to go to daycare, she has friends there."

He was silent for a moment and then he said, "Good. Friends are good. Reed is my friend - good Reed....bad Devon."

"Devon," I mentally groaned, I didn't want to deal with him like this. "We need to talk, you and I."

"Oh? Ammm-berr want to be bad too?"

"No Devon, I just want to talk to you about this situation. You know this isn't the way to deal with every thing."

"Well I can't run away Amm-berrr."

"That's exactly what you are doing Devon." I glanced at the time and told him I had to go. "But do me a favor, please don't drink any more alcohol."

"But it makes me feel good," he reasoned. "It takes away all the stupid shit and leaves just the happy stuff. Ha ha happy shit..."

I rolled my eyes, "I'm not going to talk to you when you are drunk Devon so please stop drinking."

"You are talking to me now."

"Devon!" I snapped. "Fine! I'm not going to bring Alexis around you when you are like this!" I knew that would make him sit up and take notice, since Saturday he's been spending more time with Alexis and talking about her, I think he is reaching out for the one thing that he can't get but seems to want. "She wants someone who can play with her toys with her, not someone who fumbles and drops everything. I don't like that you swear around her and I don't like that you are teaching her that it's ok to get mad and throw things. I don't want my daughter to think it's ok to be violent Devon."

Silence.

"Devon?"

More silence.

"Devon come on."

"You won't let me see Alexis?" Devon sounded like he was shocked.

"No, I won't let you see her."

"But when Reed -"

"Devon, I won't let her go to his place when you are there like this."

"Oh," he said and then went silent again.

I ended the call not long after. I didn't want to tell him over the phone and I didn't want to use Alexis as a reason for him to get sober but I did.

I just hope there isn't a mommy hell for stuff like that.

The Aftermath

Oh God I don't even know where to start. How do I explain the total mess that ended Devon's hopes and dreams in one swift motion?

Ok, maybe not all his hopes and dreams but he was pretty upset and still is, I don't think that he's spoken to either of his parents at all since Saturday and I'm worried about him. I'll tell you what happened and then tell you why I'm worried about him. I hope this makes sense, it's been a long couple days.

So Saturday afternoon I was sitting on Reed's bed listening to him tell me why we were home and not in the church watching his best friend get married.

"It's so messed up Amber," Reed said as he sat next to me. "I can't believe it."

I groaned, "Reed! Tell me so I can not believe it too!" I was getting impatient, he was babbling for a good five minutes without really saying anything, it felt like days had passed!

"Maybe I should get Devon to tell you," Reed jumped up but I grabbed his arm before he could go anywhere.

"Sit your butt down and tell me already!" I wanted to shake him so badly.

And the little shit laughed. "I'm sorry," he leaned in and kissed my cheek. "I'll tell you."

He started to tell me what happened and like I said before, I couldn't believe it.

According to Reed, when Devon's parents pulled him into the little room he tried to tell them that everything would be ok, he was doing what he wanted. The following is the best 'reenactment' that I can do without actually being there, some details were filled in by Devon later so that's how I know who did what and the round about time...

The door closed behind Devon, he turned towards his parents and asked what was going on. "Mom why did you stop the wedding?"

"I'm so sorry Devon," his mother said through her tears. "I thought this was the best thing for you but now I see it's not, you aren't happy and you'll never be happy if you go through with this."

"Mom please don't cry," Devon said as he hugged her. "It's ok, I'll be happy."

Shirley shook her head, "No you won't," she sniffled. "How could you be happy when you don't even care for Annette?"

"No everyone marries for love mom," Devon replied. "Some marry for..." his voice trailed off as he realized what he was about to say. "There is more to life than love."

"No Devon!" His mother pushed him away, "Love is one of the most important things, without it life is unhappy and miserable. Do you want to be miserable?"

Devon shrugged, "I have to get back mom."

"No," his mother grabbed his arm. "I will not let you marry that girl! You don't love her and she's not right for you, we shouldn't have done this to you!"

"Mom it'll be...shouldn't have done what?"

His mother looked at his father who had been sitting down the entire time. "We lied to you Devon, your father and I. We thought that we knew what was best for you but I couldn't let you do it without knowing the truth."

"What truth?"

Shirley looked away from him. "We paid Annette to marry you."

"What?" He asked, confused. "You didn't pay Annette to marry me, dad..." he trailed off and stared at his father who shook his head. "It was all a lie? You didn't...?" He shook his head, "No, no way."

That's when he opened the door and told Annette to come into the room. The door was barely closed when he grabbed Annette's hand and turned her to face him. "Is what they say true? Did they pay you?"

Annette trembled under his grasp. "Devon I -"

"They did?" Annette nodded. "Why?" He turned to his parents, "WHY?"

Shirley came forward. "You are throwing your life away Devon! When you should be settling down and starting a family, you are still out partying. We thought it was high time you stopped playing around and got serious."

"So you bought me a 'family'? The whole affair story was bullshit?" He turned to his father.

"What affair story?" Shirley asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.

Devon laughed, turned his mom and told her the whole story his father told him. "Are you even pregnant?" He snarled at Annette.

"Yes," she told him. She went on to tell his her real story. Wayne's business partner wasn't her father, they just used his daughter's name and background because Devon knew about his daughter. "They thought it would be more believable," she told him.

Annette's real name was Kelly, she had gone into his father's company one day, looking to apply for office go-fer that they were hiring for, she told that she had a chance even without that much experience but she didn't get the job. "I just happened to run into your parents and I guess they liked me," she gave him a weak smile. She went on to tell him that Shirley had called her up and asked her to meet them for dinner. "They promised to help me out, to give me a good home to raise my baby all I had to do was marry you." She chuckled sadly, "It sounded so easy and way too good to be true. But I couldn't have my baby in the street Devon! I didn't have any money or anywhere to go, so I told them I would do it."

And that's when Devon left the room.

I was completely speechless when Reed finished telling me, I couldn't believe that his parents did that to him but now that I think about it, it's not really all that uncommon in the circles that our parents travel in; I think that if I didn't have Reed, my parents would be looking to set me up with someone important. Then again, that's what they did when they made me go to Reed's 24th birthday party; luckily for me, Reed is a wonderful man and I love him!

We sat in his room, I kept asking questions, trying to make sense of it all but Reed didn't have the answers. "So what happens to Ann - oops I mean Kelly and the baby now?"

"I don't know Amber, Devon didn't really think to ask that at the time."

"I guess," I sighed. "Well we should probably get down stairs."

When we went down into the living room, Devon was still sitting with Alexis; I don't know what he was doing but she was laughing at him. While we were upstairs Reed asked me not to say anything to Devon. "He knows that I'm telling you but I don't think he wants to talk about it anymore just yet." I told him I wouldn't say anything.

And I didn't...sorta.

I made my way over to Devon, knelt down next to him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, hugging him tight. "I'm sorry," was all I said.

Devon glanced at Reed, who was looking kind of upset, and then at me. "It's ok Amber, it's not your fault my parents think I'm a loser."

"Devon!" I moved back from his, smacking him in the back of the head as I went. "Don't say that! They don't think that you are a loser, they just want you to be happy."

"And paying someone to marry me is supposed to make me happy?" He shook his head. "Not in this lifetime Amber."

I smiled. "Well if they paid the right one!"

He grunted and then laughed, looking me straight in the eyes. "But then Reed would kill me for marrying his woman."

I didn't even bother to reply to that, I just rolled my eyes.

"But you wouldn't marry me for money," he continued, a smirk played on his lips. "The sex on the other hand!"

"Devon!" I slapped him hard. "Stop it now! You know I wasn't talking about me!" I glared at him. "Why do you have to be such a jerk sometimes?" I jumped up, intent on walking away but Reed grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. "Your friend is a jerk," I told him.

"Yeah," Reed agreed. "I was thinking the same thing and if I thought he was serious, I'd have to take him outside and drown him in the lake!"

I wasn't in the mood to stick around and talk to the two of them, so I wandered off into the kitchen to see if there was anything quick and easy in the cup broads for supper. I was in the middle of filling a pot with water to boil some noddles when Devon came out into the kitchen.

"Go away," I snapped at him. "I don't really want to talk to you at the moment."

"Good I don't want you to talk." I glared at him and he sighed. "Amber it's been a shitty day for me, I feel like I've been kicked around and that nothing if real. I need to laugh and picking on you is making me laugh right now. Reed knows I didn't mean anything, he knows I don't want you like that and I hope that you know that too. You are an amazing woman and my best friend is crazy about you, I would never do anything to jeopardize your relationship or my friendship with Reed. Please don't be mad at me."

"I was talking about Janie," I told him.

"I know," he leaned against the counter. "I was thinking about her too."

"They wouldn't have to pay her," I told him, he nodded. "Devon what are you going to do?"

He shrugged, "I don't know Amber."

"Are you going to try to talk to Janie? See if she'll give you another chance?" Devon shook his head. "Why not Devon?"

"She's engaged Amber, she seems really happy with Cary and I'm not going to get in the way."

I wanted to tell him he wouldn't be getting in the way but I didn't, I knew that there was no point in pushing him, he wouldn't do what I wanted him to do anyway. "But if she came to you?"

He smiled, "Then that's a different story."

Since Saturday Devon has been at Reed's house every minute of the day. He doesn't go to work, he does whatever he can from the house and doesn't worry about the rest. When he's not playing with Alexis or working, he's outside laying down in the beach with a case of beer, getting drunk.

Reed is really worried about him and tried to talk to him but Devon just ignores him. I'm really worried about him but every time I try to say something to him, he comes back with some inappropriate comment about me. Last night he asked me if I wanted to join him, he was going skinny dipping!

And as wonderful as my man is, he's starting to lose his patients with Devon. "I don't care if he doesn't really mean it Amber," he told me last night as we laid in bed. "It's rude and insulting, he shouldn't be doing it!"

I told him I agreed with him. I want Devon to stop 'hitting' on me before Reed starts 'hitting' on him - and I mean beating him up...

How To Silence A Crowd

Complete silence fell over the church when the ceremony was stopped, everyone seemed to turn in unison to stare at the woman standing at the front of the church. "Devon I can't let you do this," Shirley repeated.

"Mom?" Devon stared at his mom on disbelief, I guess of all the people he thought would try to stop his wedding, his mom wasn't one of them. "I have to do this mom," he turned back to Annette.

I was sitting only a couple rows away from the front of the church so I could barely make out what Annette said but it sounded like, "I think you should hear your mother out Devon." I didn't understand why she would say that especially when she was carrying his father's baby but as I watched her shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other, I started to wonder if I wasn't wrong when I thought there was something off.

Shirley made her way up to Devon. "I'm sorry," she said to the minister. "But I need to talk to my son right now," and she pulled him away from Annette, back through the door he came out off at the beginning of the ceremony.

When they disappeared behind closed doors with Devon's father, I turned my attention towards Reed who was still standing at the alter looking a little dazed and confused. It took a moment but he finally looked out over the crowd and our eyes locked, I motioned for him to come over.

"What's going on?" I asked him when he sat down next to me and took Alexis up.

"I know just as much as you do darling," he told me. We didn't say much else, he sat there with one arm around me and Alexis in his lap; I took a picture of them, they looked so good together.

The door to the little room swung open, everyone turned to see a red faced Devon. He ignored everyone as his gaze landed on Annette. "Come here," he demanded.

And she did, it was the first time I've seen her do anything he told her without there being some kind of argument. With her head down, Annette made her way over to Devon and they disappeared into the room.

While we waited to see if someone would come out and let us know what was going on, Reed turned to me. "You know we are here and the minister is here..."

Before I had time to say anything Lucinda leaned over to look at Reed. "Don't you even think about it! Amber deserves so much more than a bad break in your best friend's wedding!"

"Mom! I was just kidding! Amber knows that," he glanced at me. "Don't you?"

I nodded, "Of course I know that." But the way I was feeling at that moment? I probably would've said 'sure, let's do it!'

Ten more minutes passed before the door opened again, this time Devon came stalking out of the room and without a word to anyone, he walked down the aisle and out of the church.

"I got to go," Reed jumped up, handing Alexis to me. "I love you," he gave me a kiss and then took off after Devon.

Shirley came out of the back room with Wayne, he had his arm around her and she was a mess, tears were streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry," Wayne spoke to the waiting crowd. "There won't be a wedding today."

I watched them walk off towards the pews and gather their stuff before heading down the aisle too.

At first everyone just sat there dumbfounded, then they all started talking and finally some started to file out.

And still there was no sign of Annette. But I did see her father leave.

"Amber?" Lucinda called out to me as I headed the opposite way of everyone else. "Aren't you coming?"

I shook my head and told her I had something I needed to do and then I made my way towards the room.

I heard crying the closer I got to the door. "Annette?" Pushing the door open, I stepped into the room with Alexis on my hip. "Annette are you ok?"

"Go away!" She yelled at me. "I don't need your pity!"

"I'm not here to pity you," I told her while I closed the door behind me. "I wanted to see if you were ok." She asked me why and I told her I didn't really know.

"I should've known it wouldn't last," she told me with a laugh. "I didn't even think it would work for as long as it did."

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

She stared at me as if she was trying to figure out if she would say anything. "I guess it doesn't matter, you'll find out soon enough; Devon will tell you and you will hate me just as much as he does right now."

"I'm sure Devon doesn't hate you Annette."

"Ha!' She scoffed, "He didn't like me too much before this, he's not going to suddenly like me now!" I didn't say anything, I really couldn't speak for Devon. "I just can't believe I was this close," she held up her hand with her thumb and pointer finger almost touching. "I almost -"

The door opened with a bang. "Amber, come on!" I turned to stare at Reed who looked ready to throttle someone. And behind him was Devon, he wasn't even looking in the direction of the room.

I said 'good-bye' to Annette and I joined the guys in the empty church. "What's going on?" I asked Reed.

"We are going home," he told me. "Devon is coming with us."

The car ride back to Reed's was very tense, Devon was fuming in the back seat along side Alexis who was 'talking' to him. "I'm not in the mood," he snapped at her when she tried to give him her doll to hold on too. Alexis looked up at him, her little eyes were wide as her bottom lip trembled, Devon groaned as she started to bawl. "I just don't have any luck with women!"

I turned around to see to Alexis. "Don't cry Alexis, uncle Devon is just having a bad day but he still loves you." She looked up at Devon as if to see if he still did but I don't think she found what she was looking for because she turned back and cried harder as she called out to Reed.

Reed tried to calm her down while he drove but it didn't work. The second we pulled up to the house, Devon reached over and took Alexis from her seat, holding her as he spoke softly to her, calming her down.

Once inside the house, Devon took Alexis over to her toys and he stayed there playing with her while Reed pulled me towards the stairs leading to our room. "We'll be back in a minute," he called out.

"Oh my God!" Reed exclaimed when we were in the privacy of his room.

"What?" I watched him pace and tug his hands through his hair. "What's going on?"

Coming to a stop in front of me, Reed grabbed my arms and led me over to the bed. "I think you need to sit down for this one," he told me. "Hell I need to sit down too."

I asked him what Devon told him and he started to tell me.

I still can't believe it...and it's been a couple days. Not even in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought what he told me was even possible.

Here Comes The Bride

Saturday morning Reed spent most of his time down the beach with Devon and Alexis, I'm not really sure what they were doing because I got sucked into hair appointments and all that jazz with Reed's mom.

When I finally got home around 1:30, I had to go down to the beach to get them to come up to the house to get ready, the wedding was at 3.

Reed was upstairs taking a shower, Lucinda was in her room doing god knows what and I was in the bathroom giving Alexis a bath. "You are going to be the prettiest little girl at uncle Devon's wedding today Alexis, and the best behaved too, right?" Alexis giggled and slapped her hands down in the water, splashing some upwards. "I'm going to take that as a 'yes'," I told her.

"You know talking to yourself isn't a good thing," I turned to see Devon standing in the doorway in just a pair of sweat pants that he changed into after his shower.

"I wasn't talking to myself," I told him as Alexis tried to lean around me to see him. "I was talking to Alexis."

Devon came into the bathroom and joined me on the floor next to the tub, he smiled at Alexis and then looked at me. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No," I turned to Alexis again. "We have everything under control, don't we snuggle bug?" Alexis looked like she was thinking about it and then she smiled as if to say 'yeah sure mommy, whatever you say!'

"Are you sure?" Devon asked. "I figured I should learn some of this stuff now that way I'll actually be helpful when the baby comes."

"Devon," I started but he didn't let me finished.

"I know what you are going to say Amber but please don't, I've made up my mind and nothing is going to stop me from marrying Annette today; it's the right thing to do."

"Ok," I smiled at him. "Hey Alexis, do mommy a favor?" She just sat there staring at me while she chewed on her facecloth. "Tell your uncle Devon that mommy thinks he could be happier if he only let his heart do its job," I tilted my head his way. "But I guess if you are determined to do this, then I wish you luck and all the happiness in the world Devon."

"Thanks Amber," he said and then did something that surprised me, he hugged me and not one of the really quick ones, he actually held the hug and told me that he was happy that we were friends.

"Well this looks cozy," Reed's voice came from the doorway as Devon jumped back from me. "What's up?" He asked, looking back and forth between Devon and me.

I didn't really pay much attention to what he said, my mind was somewhere completely for Reed was just wearing a pair of shorts and his damp skin glistened in the light; I was imagining me going over there, removing his shorts and attempting to 'dry' his skin with my hands, all of his skin.

"Amber?" I heard Reed call my name and I snapped out of my fantasy. "Are you ok?" He asked. I nodded, gave him a heated look while licking my lips and letting my eyes trail down over his body again before I met his gaze again.

"Ok, that's my cue to leave." Devon said as he jumped up, "I feel dirty just witnessing that little thing just now," he joked as he disappeared.

Reed came over to me and sat down where Devon was moments before, he asked me what I was thinking about just then and when I told him, he groaned. "I knew I shouldn't have asked but it looked like you were enjoying it too much not to share."

Not long after, I handed Alexis over to him and went to finish getting ready. When he had her dressed he brought her upstairs with him so he could get dressed and I could do her hair. "What do you think?" I asked him. "Should I leave it down or put it up?"

"How about little pig tails?" He asked, "I think she looks so cute with pigtails, the really curly ones that you do sometimes."

When we were all ready we went downstairs to see if Lucinda and Devon were ready to go.

Reed and Devon disappeared into one of the back rooms when we got to the church and I didn't see either one of them until they walked out with the minister to take their places at the front of the church.

And then the thing they rehearsed the night before started. Organ music played as Annette's bridesmaids walked in, followed by the flower girl and ring barer. Then the moment everyone was waiting for, the opening notes of 'here comes the bride' came from the organ and everyone stood to get a look at Annette in all her wedding finery, everyone that is except me, I was watching Reed and imagining that I was the one walking down the aisle towards him and that this was our day.

"Amber," I heard Lucinda hiss and with a quick glance around I realized that everyone else was sitting.

"Oh!" I sat down and tried really hard not to turn red and I would've made it too if I didn't make the mistake of looking at Reed who mouthed 'we're next' before he turned his attention back to the minister.

As the minister spoke I couldn't help but think that this was another reason I didn't want to get married in a church, the really long service. Even though Devon and Annette insisted on a short service, it still seemed to take forever for it to get to the good stuff, the part where the minister asked if there was anyone who had any reason they shouldn't get married.

I waited....

...but no one said anything! I couldn't believe it! I thought for sure that some one was going to stop this farce of a wedding but no one spoke, every one's peace will be forever held.

The minister went on to the next part in his service. "Do you have the rings?" He asked, they did. He told Devon to take Annette's left hand and slip the ring half way on her finger, "And repeat after me. 'I, Devon Lu -"

"Stop it!" A voice came from the crowd. "I can't let you do this Devon, I just can't!"

I almost dropped Alexis when I realized whose voice it was.