Her Last Plea✨

Chapter 56

Alexis's errands didn't take much time. She wasn't one who loved to shop, therefore she always made lists of what she needed at which places so that her time was used wisely. At first, she picked up a fresh notebook for Ara to use for her composition and English courses and a new art pad with a brand new set of colors, figuring she could use a little surprise after the week she was having. Then, she picked up some food for Coco, purchased a few new children's books to read to Marv and Ara, and lastly, a bruise healing paste. Marvin had two gears - stop and go - and the kid was becoming a bruise magnet with his rough and tumble ways.

Tired, she entered a nearby cafe with her bags in tow for a bit of lunch when she saw Drew sitting at a table with Scarlett - his daughter - watching him try in vain to get her to eat her lunch. The little girl's red hair was a mess in a haphazard ponytail, a crooked bow, all telling signs that  Drew clearly had his daughter by himself that day because knowing his wife, Sarah, Scarlett certainly wouldn't be seen so unkempt in public. Hailey always says how Sarah is all superficial and no substance.

Debating whether to enter further or not, Alexis decided that she had no reason to hide away. Taking a seat several tables away from Drew, Alexis ordered a sandwich and a coffee. She pulled a book out of her purse and put her focus to the words, reading them one after the other as she tried to ignore the fact that she could feel Drew staring at her on top of trying to ignore the guilt she felt for not going with Mike and the children to the wake. It was the right decision to stay behind. Her parents agreed with her, which made Alexis feel better about her choice, but she knew Mike and the girls were a bit put out by the decision.

Alexis wasn't sure what was harder to ignore as she stirred her spoon around her coffee, keeping her nose in her book - trying not to think about Mike or trying to ignore Drew's gaze. It was easier, however, to ignore her ex-husband by thinking about Mike, so she shut her book and kept her gaze on a knot in the wooden table. She thought of Mike, who last night after the kids were sound asleep snuck into her room and had crawled into her bed at his house as if she wouldn't notice someone skulking into her bed.

"What are you doing?" she mumbled as Mike wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I can't sleep," he mumbled into her back, kissing her neck.

Alexis sighed, rolling over as she stayed in his embrace. She cracked her eyes open and could see how tired her was. "There's no way you can't sleep," she stated. "You look as tired as I feel."

She felt him move a bare leg against hers, and that's when she remembered that she was merely sleeping in a tank top and a pair of shorts. Mike realized it as well. "Are you not wearing pants?"

Alexis yawned. "I have on shorts."

Mike lifted up the covers to look. "Those are hardly considered shorts."

Smacking the covers back down, she gave Mike a stare. "Really, Watson?"

"I'm just saying, those are awfully short shorts."

"Because they're technically underwear," she replied with a yawn.

"Really?" he asked, lifting up the blankets once more as Alexis smacked them back down.

"Michael Evan Watson! Stop!" she scolded, though it was probably hard to take her seriously as she was trying to be stern while stifling a laugh.

"Why aren't you wearing pants?"

"Because I didn't think you would be so forward as to sneak into my room!" she exclaimed. "What if the children catch us!"