1The Magic of Christmas
The snow had accumulated along the sidewalks, had frozen the leafless trees in the big yard of the Drakes. Fairy lights hung up on the dead and lifeless trees lighting out the place and road. Thousands of cars were being ridden in the vast parking lot behind the mansion, cars which were either antiques or either one of the best and latest in the market.
But he never minded those, seeing as his life was surrounded by limitless wealth which he had earned himself and another bank full of wealth which his ancestors had left for him. Being the only son of the Evanson was truly an advantage to its own.
He mused when he shrugged off his coat, handed it to the old man who remained stoic and straight as a stick, inside the mansion.
Once he opened the door of the huge hall, the view which welcomed him allured him to the bones and he admitted shamelessly to his loins. But a real man will always appreciate the beauty of a woman in his limits while some would lust after it.
He thought with a sneer when he saw Reece Ford lusting over her.
'As if you hadn't.' The thought came and slapped him squarely in the face and its sound was still disgustingly echoing in his brain.
He marched inside valiantly, his eyes on the brunette nursing champagne while laughing at something one of the two blondes in whose company she was, said exuberantly.
Her big brown doe eyes were dancing with amusement; her hair was up in a sort of bun, the type of sophisticated one, rendering her terribly feminine instead of posh. The dress she wore made him choke on his saliva when his eyes darted from the thick black straps on her shoulders taking a deep dip to her cleavage, exposing white, soft and creamy skin.
The material was snug at her waist, flared at her hip and then flowed graciously in a pool around her ankles. Her scent was teasing despite the distance and had invaded his mind.
He narrowed his eyes and ran his tongue over his teeth. She was wearing heels, and diamonds on her wrist and ears. And as he had said they made her look simple, simply woman and simply feminine.
The place was packed, he thought. He watched people socialise, others making out while he downed a whisky to douse the fire that had ignited by the soft hearted Katherine Drakes.
Soft hearted, he thought as a smile fitted perfectly on his lips when he saw her smile at Marcia, her adopted mother. She was soft hearted and hard headed, that was the reason she was organising the charity function for the orphans, when she had been one of them once.
But it wasn't out of pity, he knew it. It was out of responsibility and out of duty. And his duties were to stay by her, making sure she was faltering behind. But when he was faltering behind himself with his feelings how the hell was he going to help her.
Kate laughed easily and openly when Marcia was telling them how Philip had once gotten on his knees to propose her but had instead wiped at her shoes, saying something along the lines of white shoes should always be spotless.
And then, she had to raise her head to see Zachary Evanson talking to her adopted father, while taking rounds around, making connections and new acquaintances. His stance was always the same, reserved and cold.
And the tux was made just him and the way he carried it was… Oh god, like he was born in a damn tux. His blond hair was wet, probably from the snow outside. The charming long streaks which had forged themselves on his cheeks were alluring dimples which hardly showed.
'His majesty never ever cared to smile unless you were in bed with him.'
Zachary Evanson, only son and only heir of the Home Decors enterprise. The main branch was here in New York, while had five others spread across the world. Rich he was, charming and broody as well. He was and might still be good in bed, not that it was her business but it had once been, unluckily for her.
It had cost her heart and her dignity to ever have associated herself with such a filthy man. But then a sudden flash of blue eyes with filled with lust swamped her mind, had her heart racing. And before she couldn't stop it she downed the champagne in a gulp.
When she bent her head to regain her breathing back to normal, her big brown eyes met a pair of blue eyes. This time there was more concern than lust. On a sigh she thought it was the lust that had brought them where they are and she turned her head away as intimate moments flashed again in her mind.
3 months ago
Kate giggled when she felt hands cruising up her naked torso and then gave out a loud laugh when she saw a peeping Zack from under the covers.
"Good morning, honey." He whispered as he ran his lips around some soft and creamy skin below her breast and then kissed the mole under her breastbone as his lips ran lower.
"Good morning." She managed to say in between shivers.
"Let's stay in bed today." He nuzzled her neck, placing cool and small kisses along the way while straddling her.
"Why, and I thought you worked on Saturdays too." She said as her hands ran lightly in his tousled blonde hair and then slide down when his tongue did some incredible thing with her earlobe.
The curtains had been pulled, so no lights could intrude in on their private moments. The bed was still warm and cozy with the quilt in a heap around them. From far if she concentrated she would be able to hear the birds chirping happily despite the chilling air outside.
"Not when I have a beautiful woman warming my bed." He gripped her hips and kissed her fiercely but then his lips loosened on hers as he cradled her face in her hands.
He was only staring at one moment but then laughed when he tickled her sides. She moaned and then whined as he tickled her.
As his hands ceased their tickling motion, he rested his head above hers on the crumpled pillow, his arms gathering her close to his body.
And it was that same moment that had ruined everything they had together. For months they have been sneaking into each bed's seeking the warmth of others bodies. But for her, it wasn't a matter of sex, maybe at first it did.
Their first tumble in the very bed they lay was the cause of mutual hatred, which had taken the form of sexual frustration and then lust. She never anticipated the path towards love but now that it did, she felt outrageously happy when he would offer a smile or a gentleman move.
She was glad she could the see the smoothness and clarity rather than fast and heavy sex. She was in love but her love didn't remain in her heart any longer when she uttered those words on her lips.
"I love you." She whispered half of her, wishing he heard it while another part of her was hoping he had fallen asleep.
For a moment when he didn't make a move, she thought he had gotten asleep. But then he backed away, struggled in his shorts as he paced the floor.
"Bullshit, Kate."
"What?" An aghast gasp escaped her lips as she sat down on the on the bed, the quilt slipping down to her waist.
"Love really?" He gave a sarcastic laugh as he sat down heavily on the bed.
"Honey, love doesn't exist."
This time it was pure outrage which escaped her lips. The cold act, he had in the decorum of his office and in socialising parties had built up again around himself blocking Kate out, was hurting her. She felt like she was pounding on the wall but to no avail. He was confined away in his coldness and arrogance.
"It does."
"No, it doesn't!" He screamed and was disgusted at himself when he saw her flinch. Calmly he spoke again with his hands on her shoulders.
"No, it doesn't. Don't mistake sex for love god damn it." He cursed when he saw the broken expression on her face.
"Honey, women who've slept with me earlier felt that they love me. It's not love." He shook her for more emphasise.
"It is. Don't you feel it? Haven't you been feeling it when we made love with each other?" The desperation which laced her words, made her want to grab a knife and stab it at her heart.
"Made love? It was only sex. Honey we agreed on it right? I mean no strings attached and stuff?"
"Bu-"
"Listen Kate."
The way he said her name was rigid and cold that she shivered.
"This isn't some damn fairy tale where the prince sweeps the princes off her feet. You got it."
"I know."
"No, you don't. You fucking believe in angles. Who the fuck believes in god damn angels?"
"Yes, they do. If you have a cleanse conscience and a true heart, you will, one day."
"Oh man, you stubborn woman. What I'm trying to say is women came and went like you. They slept with me and went their way sometimes with and sometimes without cash. It's just se…"
"No, no I didn't mean what I said. It was just some rambling." Zack was sporting a look of shock and guilt as he stopped her to walk away.
Zack rushed down on the floor with her as she dressed and dragged her sweater down on her head as her tears fell down.
"Is that what I am to you? A whore? Just because my real parents left me on the street doesn't mean I have dirty blood in my veins." She said as she snatched up her purse and then threw a couple of notes towards him.
"And for a change, Evanson. I'll pay you for your services."
She slammed the door on her way out and blocked his voice which was calling for her. Her throat was tightening as her eyes filled with tears.
"Damn you. I didn't mean that. I never meant to."
Zack ran down the stairs and caught up with her near the dining room. He caught her arm and swung her around to face him. But before that she had snagged the knife which was lying on the table.
Her eyes were bloodshot and her face red from wrath, she pointed the knife towards Zack who could only stare.
"Don't touch me, don't you ever again touch me with your dirty hands."
"Okay, fine." He released her, allowed her to back off two steps then spoke again.
"Put that away honey. You are going to hurt yourself before long."
"Don't honey me! And who said anything about hurting me. That knife was for you, you fucking asshole." She hissed this time, her tears spilling when she thought of times when he had touched her.
And then, she threw the knife away and strode towards the door, her hand on the doorknob.
"You know what? I think I know the reason why I hated you, or still hate you. You're cold hearted, obnoxious and moreover a playboy. I guess every woman you slept with must have told you that at least once in your life but what I'm going to say will be a first."
She took long strides towards him and then hissed in his ear.
"Yo could have rejected me by a simple no. There was absolutely no need to go after my blood. But what's done is done. And now you know what, I'm really thankful that my supposed father left my mother because he must been like you."
"Rude, playboy types and cold, thank god she deserted him and me. For I don't blame her but only him. You know what I see in the future years. I see you in place of my father and some woman in my mother's place. "
"I can't tell you how blessed I feel I'm not in in my mother's place and moreover how blessed I am to have not conceived any child with you. For if that had happened, I would have aborted the baby."
That was the day of their parting ways. Right from there, in these three months she was engaged with Reece Ford, the banker straight from Yale, with black hair and grey eyes, possessive and jealous of Zachary Evanson.
He wasn't the ideal man she had wished but it was much better to do with Reece rather than Zachary Evanson. And it only seemed right when he kept on making his moves on her and finally proposed to her.
Back to the party
The diamond on her ear winked at him as she turned, the dress moving as blood ran to his head, whirled in his head with a burning sensation. And then he veered his way towards his other business associates. But soon he found that Philip was slowly but definitely dragging his attention to his adopted daughter who was more than that to him.
"Well, well look who's here." Marcia said as Zack engulfed her small form in his arms and took a sniff. It smelled of pure affection and very motherly unlike his mother who would smell like she had bathed in a perfume factory.
"Someone's looking gorgeous." He said as he assessed Marcia's blue dress matching her blue eyes and her blonde hair spilling on her shoulders. He found himself wishing he had Marcia for a mother as well as Philip as a father. With his brown hair and golden eyes he was the perfect father, Zack watched him as he threw a shoulder around Kate.
"I'm sure." Marcia said enigmatically, accurately aware that his eyes hadn't wandered off onto another woman when her daughter was standing right in the middle of the room unwillingly pulling his eyes towards Kate.
"So where's Suzanne and Michael." Marcia asked as she took a glass of champagne from the busy waiter and offered it to Zack.
"Well, Suzanne is planning to get married for the fifth time and Mike must be having a tan on the beaches with his second wife."
He sounded so casual about it, Kate thought maybe that was the reason he hardly smiled and hardly talked about him and his family.
"Hi." Zack walked up towards Kate and kiss her hand which she curled at her side.
Suddenly when coherent speech had left her mouth to settle in the glamour of the evening, she nodded her head at him and decided to focus her attention on the Christmas tree which stood with pride and glitter on one corner on the room.
When that didn't work, she settled on the band playing, music floating in the air to soothe her wrecked nerves.
What he saw in her eyes on that moment was not anger, it was more grief which was shielding her big brown eyes and it hurt even more to admit he was the reason behind it.
"You told them about Ford?" A voice startled her out of her musical reveries.
"What?" She turned her head and then took one large step in withdrawal as Zack's face was looming too close to her liking. And it still did numerous back flips in her gut she thought.
"Ford." He repeated, amusement lacing his words when he pointed towards the man in a black shirt and black trousers walking towards them.
"Oh god." She brought a hand to her temples and closed her eyes wishing someone would call her an-.
"Oh, Katie dear. See to those fretting kids, will you?" Marcia paced around and went to find Philip. She strode to the stairs and thanked god for that distraction as she opened the door and saw to it that the kids were not nervous and had their dialogues remembered.
This play was going to be a hit and when people would see that the kids are so talented they would donate money to the organisations. And when that would happen nobody would be happier than her.
Downstairs Zack found himself sharing the same ideas of the distraction, because he wouldn't want to have an altercation with the banker while Kate was still simmering for what the stupid Ford had done.
"Evanson."
"Ford."
The two men were sizing each other as if they were going on a round, of pounding and bloodied round in the ring.
"You move fast." Zack commented when he saw the red head glued to Reece's hip much to his dislike.
"Why, didn't peruse you as the jealous one, Evanson." That made him chuckle as Reece sneered at Zack.
"Such an ironic statement, Ford. We all know here who is jealous of whom. Don't believe me? Ask anyone here."
"Whatever." Reece said as he roamed around and disappeared in Zack's peripheral vision.
But from where he was, he could see Zack's eye appraising Kate's form on top of the stairs which made his temper bubble to the surface. To close to the surface, he thought and smooth out his black shirt, his eyes following Kate's every movement.
Damn her parents, was the thought that came into her parent as they had astutely left the seat beside empty to have Zack beside her while the play was just about to start.
And too late, for all the seats were filled and she wouldn't want to stand far in the corner when she was standing. The kids would want to see her in the audience cheering for them.
Letting out a sigh, she realised she had been sandwiched in the middle with Zack with Philip on her side and Marcia beside Zack.
Oh well, might as well deal with it, she said inwardly.
Zack found himself saying the same thing but then the perfume she wore which did fantastic things to him that his mind had already dropped the idea as he squirmed in his chair. However he felt his endurance to drop by when he saw her clapping her hands eagerly for the kids and her smile.
Good god, she was killing him with her sweet innocent smiles even thought they were not directed at him, but at the cute little boy who was reciting his dialogues while looking at her with a toothy grin. And of course the toothy grin displayed the space in between other teeth that one had fallen and given to the tooth fairy.
Magic, he supposed he could start in believing in it now.
As the dim lights were lit again as the play came to an end, he saw Ford whispering something to Kate and before he could utter something she was standing and going after Ford. However the stern look that both Philip and Zack exchanged indicated him that she had told them about what had happened four days ago.
Four days ago
Zack felt sick from the gut as well as from the heart. He found recently that his heart was in nothing, neither his work nor women who came to him offering a great more deal than a shoulder to mourn. The only woman who was appealing to him in the great sense was Katherine Drake who was, to his bad luck, engaged to Reece Ford.
It wasn't long after her absence in his life that he had realised he needed her, wanted her there in his bed, in his kitchen or sometimes at her apartment where they would sit together and play piano, though he would do a greater deal of watching her fingers over the keys rather than play.
By the time he had compartmentalised the sex and the times they spent together, it was too late. He had fallen deeply in love with her while she was getting engaged to the bastard.
His gaze fell on the snow falling in small flakes, dancing slowing and enticingly as they came to an end on the brunette's hair. The brunette, he leaned forward in his seat when he narrowed his eyes to speculate the face and was hoping that he was not hallucinating.
And hallucinating wasn't what he was doing, he realised when he saw her hand flying in gestures in front of none other than Ford. Ford, he spat his name in mind disgustingly and then grabbed his coat and muffler indicating his driver to go without him.
"Kate, do you see this?" Zack heard Ford's voice outside on the sidewalk some miles away from his office and noted with some more disgust the way he was shaking her. He decided to stay behind and promised he would interfere when the need arises but damn if he didn't want to cut his hands off his wrists.
"This ring means you're engaged to me. To me for heaven's sake. You're soon going to be associated with the Fords now, at least have some decency to come in a dress and try not to spill your wine on Mrs Johnson. She's an important woman in the society. God damn you Kate."
"To hell with your stupid social class Reece. I have better job to do rather than hang on your arms every time you need me to."
Zack recognised anger when he saw it and better yet he would side up with the lady on that. Not that the cream colored, professional pants and blazer were exactly suitable for a socialite's party though.
"Job? Raising funds for poor orphans is what you call doing a job?"
"At least I have a conscience which once in a while wouldn't have to pretend to shed a tear on the poor orphans as you've put it. They deserve better and I make sure they have it."
Go for it woman, Zack cheered but then his jaw tightened when he saw Ford clutching at Kate's wrist tightly.
"Oh, that's only pity, Kate, you feel for them. Because I still remembered that you were part of them once, and were pulled out of the misery when the Drakes decided to adopt you when they couldn't conceive. If you ask me I would have gone to known doctors for test tubes babies and in vitro fertilisation and so on. But guess the Drakes were feeling too sympathetic for you poor orphans."
It was time to show up. Zack decided and then halted in his steps still away from the fighting couple when he saw the echoing slap on Reece's face.
Ouch, that sure must have hurt. He thought with amusement when Kate spat on him with anger.
"You got nothing to drag them in this Ford. And if you ask me I'll say you'd better give away your sniping habits and maybe donate some of your lazy money to these kids. Who knows, your sins might be lessened but I doubt it would really work."
Kate walked away her open coat flying as she bristled down on the road, some people too fascinated by the scene in front them while some didn't bother meddling in some stupid couple fighting.
Zack followed her on the streets, and watched in enthrallment when she donated her ring to the beggar who could only watch the retreating back of the lady in worship.
But soon as she had reached her building, she sat down on the steps and bawled her eyes. His heart shook with fear and disappointment to see her break like this and went to hug her on the steps of the building, gathering her close.
"Let me go." She punched him straight in his stomach the air wheezed out in a white puff as he took a deep breath and took another punch.
Eleven punches, it took her eleven punches to get her hands on his coat, fisting up the material as she wailed in his arms. Her face was concealed in his chest, the sounds of her cry tearing him into parts and regretted to have gotten his hands on the bastard for hurting her.
"Go away." She whispered as she raised her head, the big and brown eyes were puffy and red. When he didn't go, she stood up.
"Kate." He had stopped her with his hand clutching hers.
When she didn't turn he spoke lightly.
"I didn't mean what I had said the other day, Kate!" He shouted when she ran and vanished inside the building.
Back to the party
Zack kept on bouncing his knee when he saw no traces of Kate back to the party where preparations of the charity auction were being made. Cute toddlers were being introduced to families who were having prospects about adoption and he acknowledged that he himself couldn't resist the cute little girl in the cute little red frock.
Nobody with a heart could miss that cute smile she gave with her big blue eyes. Maybe, just maybe he would have her; he would like to have her, to tend to her to give the love of a father if only he could provide her with motherhood as well he thought as he talked to Philip about the cute little girl who assured him that Alana would very likely live with him and that they should very soon work on the credentials.
And like that they went on the search of Kate who was speaking coolly and looking very composed as Reece jumped on her.
"Ring? The one which I donated the other day? Oh, come on Reece you could try to look more generous and I was helping you to lessen your sins."
"You would want to keep your hands to yourself my boy." Philip said mildly when he saw the raised hands.
"I agree." Zack reached out for Kate and maneuvered his way in front of her as her father dragged her away from the scene.
And without missing a beat he punched him on the face, blood spewing out of his nose and onto his shirt.
"Take him away." Philip said when he was back and then patted Zack on the back.
"Where's she? Is she okay? He didn't touch he-"
"She's fine, back in the party and no she wouldn't allow that scumbag to touch her."
Philip said unabashedly and handed Zack a glass of whiskey.
"So what's the current status?" He raised his glass at one of the guest and shoved one hand casually in his pocket.
"Status?"
"Hmm, your relationship with my daughter."
"Uh about that …" Zack trailed off not knowing what to say in these situations.
"If you love her, you gotta tell her my boy."
Zack nodded at the couple who passed by them and then his eyes were stuck on little Alana. A mother for Alana, Kate for Alana. He could almost envision her with Alana sleeping on her shoulder.
He didn't say nothing as his mind began to race at the possibilities of a family with Kate and of course Alana. And he watched as they displayed a musical crystal ball with a small house and snow falling on it for the charity event.
"Ladies and gentlemen the bid starts at two hundred dollars. Mind you ladies and gentlemen this piece is an antique piece found in 1895 an-"
"If you want to speak to her, she's there."
Philip pointed at the back where she was by the window the lights playing with her hair and eyes a glass of champagne which remained as it was when she had grabbed it.
But Zack focused on the bid and brushed her off and from time to time glanced at
Alana and was thrilled to have her in his arms for some moment before they had to leave. He had let go of her but not before promising her to take him home soon with him. He wished the kids would have stayed so that he could have some time with Alana more, but then discovered it was only a thirty minutes' drive from the Drakes and was soon going to be their bed time.
When the bid was over and the guests were swaying on the tune of some classic tune, Zack took the moment to fetch his coat and muffler alongside with Kate's.
"Hey." He said when he shrugged out his collar and straightened it while handing Kate's coat. At her raised eyebrow, he shifted behind her to shrug the coat on her shoulders and then complied when she didn't move to put her arms through the holes of the sleeves.
"Do you think you could take some time to talk with me?"
When she was too flustered to reply, he set aside the untouched glass of champagne, took her arms and walked towards the closed doors of the terrace. Opening the doors, the jolt of cold winter hit them to the bone despite their coats.
"So, we threw the banker out of here. Don't think he's gonna harass you again."
"There was no need for that. But, thanks."
"You're welcome." Zack said as he rubbed his hands together.
"It's cold out here."
"We could still go inside." Zack noted the little smile which curved her red lips.
"Maybe, but I think I need a break."
When she only nodded her head, he continued to make small talk.
"The play was superb."
"Yeah?" Curiously she tilted her head to get a better look at him. The moons glow shone in his blue eyes, soft blue eyes.
"Yeah, the kids were superb and the response of the play was also incredible."
"Oh, guess I missed that." She remembered the way Reece was pleading her to take him back. 'My foot I was going to take him back.'
"Yeah." She saw him lifting a hand to brush at the snow on his lapel. And then proceeded to do the same with hers but stopped his hand in mid-air.
"Great response, I found myself wanting to adopt Alana. Her blue eyes are so beautiful."
"Alana? You want to adopt her?" Her tone sounded so defensive when he mentioned the little girl.
"Yeah, is that a problem?" He lifted a shoulder. What he could be great father, thought he didn't his affection for children, he was good with them.
"Yeah, kind of. She's only fifteen months and I was planning on adopting her myself." Her big eyes had widened.
"Oh well?"
"Maybe we could adopt her together. Hope that will not pose a problem for you." She said the last part dismissively as she turned back to look at the snow layering on the barrister.
"Sure, if that's want you want."
"Fine, then let's have a few of the rules as well. She won't be staying with you if you're having one of your skanks at nights an-"
"Whoa, wait. I can be responsible when I want to be. And I love Alana." When she raised her eyebrows at him he continued sheepishly.
"It might be too quick but I feel the need to provide her with not only materialistic needs and wants but love as well. As far as about my skanks-"
Kate noted the sarcasm but decided to ignore it.
"They are no longer invited within my vicinity or where so ever I go."
"Oh." She said and wondered what exactly was missing with the picture tonight with Zachary Evanson. That was it; no blonde or brunette were hanging on his arms like grapevines.
"You believe me?"
Kate only shrugged when he stared at her.
"I must start trusting the father of my child."
Nodded, Zack felt the skip of heartbeat when she said father of her child.
"Fair enough, though I suppose you wouldn't mind if I get married and would still want Alana with me."
"You're getting married?" She didn't know why it bothered her that Zack was getting married; maybe it was because she was still in love with him and the prospect of adopting a kid with him only enhanced her feelings for him.
"Sooner or later. Alana would want a mother too." And that mother ought to be you. The thought however remained impending when he saw the hurt look in her eyes though her face remained impassive, at least tried to.
"Yeah, sure."
"You don't have any problem with adopting Alana with me. I mean the last time we … You know you said about the baby."
"No I don't, but I guess maybe I should be the one to ask you if you're having second thoughts for adopting a child with a whore."
"I didn't mean that."
For the next moment neither of them uttered a single word as they both watched the snow fall coating a new layer on the barrister. But then as Zack brought the crystal ball with the small homely house and snow falling inside, on the barrister she stared at him.
"You bought that? How much?"
Zack simply shrugged and caught it in his hand swirling the snow and watched it fall on the roof of the house.
"A couple of thousand dollars. It's beautiful and also an antique piece at it. The money didn't go at a waste. It's going to be used in the orphanage." He reminded when he could almost hear a protest on her tongue.
"Guess you're being too generous these days."
"Not really, bought it because it made me think of you. Here."
He handed her the ball and watched her eyes go the size of saucers.
"Are you crazy? I can't take this. Give it to your wife." She added the last part when he didn't take his gift he had shoved in her hand.
"Your hands' are cold."
"What do you expect Evanson." He noted the sour tone of her voice and decided she deserved better.
He took her hands in his, one hand caressing the curvy surface of the transparent ball, while the other tucked her closer to him. He noted her lips parted softly to give way to a puffy white cloud misting in front of him.
"You see Katherine; my parents never had time for me. Suzanne, as I said earlier she was always busy looking after her looks and dad, he had his work. And me you could say I was the product of a faulty condom."
Suzanne, she noted it wasn't mom or mother. Only Suzanne.
"Suzanne dumped my father and dad married a second time. He was happy but I guess he never felt the right kind of attachments with me. At least he was much better to drop by and see me rather Suzanne. I guess she probably doesn't remember ever having a son somewhere."
"I, I don't know what to say."
"I understand." He said as he tucked a stray strand of black hair behind her ear.
"I was scared, so scared of everybody leaving. You see, before you I was always applying with the logic that keeping no attachments and nobody's hurt in the long run. And it so happened that when we started seeing each other, I was used to you."
"Seeing you in my house and you making me dinner was so domestic. Then love. It was becoming complicated for me but once you figure it out it becomes easier. I never meant the comment about you being, you know. I never ever saw you in that light."
"Kate."
When he lifted her bent head he saw the tears streaming down her face, the big brown eyes were full of tears unshedded and fresh pain.
"Oh man." He rubbed the back of his neck feeling uncomfortable to see tears another batch of tears. But when she lifted a hand to get rid of the tears herself; he took her hand and placed feathery kisses as her tears fell.
"I love you Kate. I need you as mine. Only mine." He whispered as his hand brought her closer to him.
Her gaze was questioning at him.
"I really love you. I badly need you in my life. It was so perfect when you were with me and when you had suddenly gone away it was all back like earlier. Cold and aloof. I love you." He kissed hand one last time as he took out a handkerchief and mopped at the tears.
"I love you too." Her fingers were digging hard at his shoulders where she was seeking for courage and support.
"Yeah? So Katherine will you marry me? And be the mother of my child?"
"Not so fast, Evanson. Get down on your knees on say it."
"What nonsense Kate."
"Do it."
"Fine." Biting back an oath he went down on his knee, grabbed her hand in his and in the other one grabbed the crystal ball.
"Kate, I love you. And I want to marry you. I want to raise my kids with you in our home. Will you please marry me and do me my big heart a favor to say yes. Though I don't have a ring with me right now. Have to do with the crystal ball"
"I would have loved to do a favor, but it's actually a pleasure to marry you and raise kids in our home."
She put small narrow hands in his and then put a hand on his cold cheek.
"I love you. And now that I see it I was always in love with you Zack."
"I love you Kate."
He brought her closer when he got back on his feet and cupped the back of her neck as his lips met hers in a hot heated kiss.
She cupped the crystal ball in her hands and threw her arms around his neck as his lips caresses hers, whispered against hers. His hands traveled down the length of her back and moved up to cup her cheek. He didn't realise until then that her cheek was so soft, soft as a baby's cheek.
Passion heightened in that one log moment even when they parted to take in breath only to meet their lips in another sumptuous journey. Her fingers traveled in the cold and wet blonde hair as he lifted her a few inches from the ground and then as if remembering the venue, he rested her on her feet meticulously.
"Zack?"
"Hmm." He said as he pressed his face in her hair, inhaling the tormenting scent of hers.
"We can have dogs right?"
"Anything you want, honey."
"We'll adopt them from the animal shelter."
"From the animal shelter." He whispered when he nuzzled his way on that smooth column of her neck.
"And a piano."
"And a piano."
"And some rabbits."
"And som- Rabbits?"
"Yeah, rabbits. They are such cute animals, so fluffy and soft."
"Honey, I think we have to pull the line. We are going to have dogs, who love chasing rabbits."
"Oh, bu-"
"Do you think we could pass by the orphanage and pay Alana a visit?"
"Oh, that would be great. I have a big giant rabbit toy for her. Maybe we could offer it to her."
"Honey, forget about the rabbits. They aren't gonna come in my house."
"Oh, but Alana love rabbits."
"She's just fifteen months honey."
"I want rabbits."
"No you aren't. Now how about something else involving a warm bed and some wine."
"Atchoo."
"God bless." Zack patted Kate's head and then took her hand in his as they went inside the warmth of mansion, the crystal ball glinting as they passed inside with Philip and Marcia.
"I still want those rabbits." Kate whispered against his lips as they swayed slowly in the dim lights.
"No, how about more dogs?"
"From the animal shelter."
"Of course from the animal shelter, and I might start ordering my employees to start having pets from animal shelter or else I'll fire them. What say?"
"No wonder why I love you."
A/N: Wishing all the writers and readers of fiction press Merry Christmas, enjoy the family time together and may god bless you all with prosperity and success with good health and infinite happiness always knocking on your door.