Alexis looked in the mirror one last time before heading downstairs. Her dress was fitted and thankfully it still fit though she was fairly certain it wouldn't in another few weeks. Talking with Jax's mother had helped ease her nerves a bit though still wasn't certain how Jax felt about her. Tonight she would try to enjoy herself, after the party she could tell him everything.
Jax stood at the bottom of the stairs pacing. He could not wait for Alexis to walk down them and astound him with her beauty, as she always did. He wanted to get the night started; after all it was a very special night. After the party he was going to tell her everything.
As she approached the stairs she could see him pacing and she wondered if he was also nervous. Of course he wasn't he was probably just impatient, after all the party had already started.
"Hi" she squeaked as she came down the stairs, he really did look so good in a tux.
"Hi" was it her imagination or did he sound a little unsure of himself. "You look, incandescent."
Alexis laughed, "That's honestly the first time anyone has called me that."
"Well a woman as unique as yourself deserves an equally unique compliment, besides given the way you look no other word would do you justice." Alexis blushed deeply; he was far too good at this.
"I think we should get to the party," she suggested nervously.
Jax led her into what was for tonight at least a beautiful ballroom. His parents noticed them as they came in and quickly excused themselves from the group.
"Darling you look fabulous."
"Thanks Mom."
"Oh shut up Jasper, you know very well I was speaking to Alexis."
"She's right you look absolutely lovely this evening Alexis."
"Thank you both, the room is amazing how on earth did you get this set up so fast?"
"Well you see dear Lady Jane whispered as though confiding a great secret, "we have a very wealthy son, handsome too, he'll make some lucky lady a wonderful husband."
"Maybe we should dance." Alexis stated wanting to get away from Lady Jane's matchmaking attempts.
"I'd love to." Jax stated though he didn't really have much of a choice as Alexis was practically dragging him towards the dance floor.
"Jax is that you?" a twenty something blonde with an Australian accent asked as she came towards them.
"Mandy, What a lovely surprise."
"I was so excited when I heard you were coming tonight, it's been ages since we talked." The blonde gushed, completely ignoring Alexis.
"Oh I'm sorry you two haven't met, Alexis, this is Mandy an old friend, Mandy, this is Alexis, my wife."
"Your wife?"
The poor child looked so heartbroken Alexis couldn't stop herself from saying, "His ex-wife actually," as she elbowed Jax in the stomach.
"That's right, I forgot, excuse us," he said as he led Alexis to the dance floor.
"What the hell was that?" Alexis asked as soon as they were out of hearing range. "You promised me we wouldn't lie to anyone and now your telling people I'm your wife."
"It's not exactly that strange of a concept Alexis, you were my wife, remember?"
"Of course I remember I also remember getting divorced."
"So do I." It was the biggest mistake I ever made he thought. Out loud he assured her, "honestly Alexis it was just a slip of the tongue," a Freudian slip was more apt but he wasn't about to get into a philosophical debate about his unconscious desires, he was having enough trouble with his conscious ones. "Come on let's dance."
Jax took Alexis in his arms and they moved as one to the music. Neither said a word, they were too busy pretending that the other was really theirs, to hold, to love. They danced until John came over and interrupted them.
"Excuse me but I don't suppose I might be able to have a dance with my favorite ex-daughter-in-law?"
"I'd love to Alexis replied moving into John's arms and leaving Jax alone on the dance floor. He decided to grab a glass of champagne when a voice chirped from behind,
"Hello again. "
Hi Mandy can I get you a glass of champagne?"
"Oh thank you Jax, I'm just having the most wonderful time," she slurred the words slightly, obviously she had already had a couple glasses too many.
"Alexis I must tell you how happy I am about the baby." Alexis would have fell to the floor if not for John's strong arms holding her up. He continued to lead as he spoke. "I'm afraid my wife isn't very good at keeping secrets, especially ones as wonderful as this." Alexis smiled weakly still somewhat shocked that he knew.
Lady Jane watched the events before her with a disappointed frown. Jax was on one side of the room dealing with the blonde twit while Alexis looked on.
"May I have this dance?"
"Mark dear, I didn't know you were coming."
"I decided to surprise Jax," the man replied with a sly look. A school friend of Jax's Mark was extremely handsome and charming and possibly just what the doctor ordered Lady Jane thought as she formulated a plan.
"Actually I was hoping to dance with my husband but as you can see he's occupied." She did her best to sound jealous. "Would you mind cutting in?" Mark, who had noticed Alexis earlier in the evening, was only too happy to agree.
"Excuse me sir but may I cut in."
"Oh hello Mark." John said greeting the other man warmly.
"I'm afraid that's entirely up to Alexis." She shot one last look at Jax before replying. He seemed adequately occupied by Mandy.
"Sure."
Jax saw the moment Alexis switched partners and he was not happy.
"Would you excuse me Mandy I need to go take care of something."
"So Alexis do you have a last name?"
"Actually I have several."
The remark was out before she could stop herself.
"Pardon?"
"Sorry, it's Davis, Alexis Davis." Poor Mark, he really was a nice guy she just wasn't in the mood to be romanced tonight, at least not by him.
"Darling there you are, I've been looking all over for you." Jax said as took Alexis' hand, effectively ending her dance with Mark.
"I thought you were busy elsewhere." Alexis replied glancing in the direction of Mandy who was helping herself to another glass.
"Nothing could keep me away from you for long darling." Jax said before giving her a very passionate, kiss leaving no doubt in any ones mind as to the intimacy between the two of them. "Oh Hello Mark, I see you've met ... Alexis." The word "my" was silent but definitely implied.
"Um yeah, you're a lucky man Jax."
"Yes I am.
"I'm sorry Mark will you excuse us for a minute, Jax I'd like to speak with you in private." She headed out of the ballroom and into his parents living room not bothering to check that he was following. Sure enough as soon as she did turn around he was right behind her.
"What has gotten into you tonight?" she demanded before he could say anything. "First you tell people I'm your wife them you made that man believe we... we are..."
"Lovers?"
"Yes!" she hissed with equal parts embarrassment and anger.
"Well correct me if I'm wrong but aren't we? Wasn't it you that I made love to, repeatedly, wasn't it you that told me not to stop, wasn't it you that made me feel things I'd thought were lost forever?"
"Oh Jax, I..."
"No please let me finish Alexis. I love you Alexis, I am in love with you." Alexis felt her heart swell and her lungs empty. Then her head began to spin. The last thing she saw was the look of worry on Jax's face before everything turned black.