Butterfly and Flame - Alina and Evan

Full Circle

The late summer breeze blew across the valley floor sending the aroma of flowers and citrus in all four directions. She had grown up in this town, left it to begin a new life and had returned as the end of her life drew near. The last two years had been momentous for them all. She had reunited with her only love, found the granddaughter she longed for, rebuilt the relationship with the grandson she adored and found her family once again. The fact that she was dying didn't really matter when she had so much to be thankful for. She turned away from the arched window that looked out into a beautiful garden and water fountain and let her eyes rest on the man who had given his very life and soul to her so many years ago. She new she didn't deserve him but she was ever so grateful to have him. He was reading a manuscript and making notes, completely in his element. When she decided to move here and leave her grand estate behind she brought only her pictures and her clothing. The rest remained where it was. She didn't miss a thing except for her companion who she retired with enough money to support her and several generations to one after her. The shock on her face was enough thanks for her. They spoke frequently and it warmed her heart to know that she would be here for the wedding. When a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts she smiled to see Alina and Evan walk in. These too belonged together and to know that they would soon be united made her feel right with the world. "Well you too look like your about to burst with a secret. What is it?" Alina and Evan smiled and walked up to her as Elliot joined them. "Well-grand and Grandfather-we thought you should be the first to know-actually the only to know until after the wedding-we're pregnant!". She felt her heart swell with the happiness she felt at their joy. Her mind felt back many decades to her own discovery of pregnancy and her eyes misted over. Elliot took her hand as he leaned over and kissed Alina's cheek. When Evan bent down to hug and kiss her she whispered in his ear-"your mother and father would be so happy for you-for the both of you. As for me-I feel blessed and thankful to witness all this happiness". Evans eyes looked happy and at peace. It was more than she could ask for. The young man who had entered her life as a little boy had brought happiness to her sons life like he had never known after the death of his first wife and the loss of his daughter. She hadn't ever been able to express to him what a gift he had been to them all when he and his mother came into their lives. She had hoped that the last two years shares together has shown him in every way possible just how loved he really was. Elliot walked behind her chair and rested his hand on her shoulder, giving her support and warmth. He always knew what she needed.

"Can you believe it. Tomorrow we'll be married. I think my mom is making her self crazy with all the preparations. It's a backyard wedding for goodness sake!" Evan watched Alina's radiant smile and wondered how much more beautiful she could become. He had noticed a difference only two days before she took the test and when they confirmed it he remembered telling her that he had known it just by looking at her. He was so in love with this woman that he didn't think he could love her more until the knowledge that she would give him their first child was solidified by a simple pee test. "I love you. I love this baby we're going to have 7 months from now and I love the life we will have together. I can't wait for the rest of my life with you". Her world filled him and any empty space that hadn't already been filled by these last three years together. His relationship with his grandmother and now grandfather had only improved and he finally accepted all the love Ashely had tried to impart on him. What had once been difficult for him to acknowledge was now clear and evident in her eyes and embraces. What he had once seen as obligatory he now saw as undiluted and unmitigated love. His heart had learned to fully accept what had always been there. The trauma of loosing his parents and having learned that he wasn't his father's son had twisted a pure love into something else. Something that had forced him to remake himself. Forced him to go out into the world and earn it. It made him defy all expectations of himself when it came to placing his life in danger but he did it for his brothers in arms, then later for his friends and he would always do it for his family. He learned to accept himself and sought that acceptance from his grandmother without it realizing it had always been there. She had only wished to give him in equal parts what she felt he deserved as a member of her family. He hadn't needed to earn it. His mere existence in their lives was all that was needed. Once he was able to see that he could finally allow his little boys heart to heal. The woman who stole that heart only amplified the healing process. She gave and received love so easily that it grounded him and made him see the potential of his own heart. As he watched the smile on her face he felt honored that she placed her trust and love in him. He would never betray it or handle it carelessly. It was the most precious gift he had.

"You look absolutely beautiful" Miranda looked at the man who stood in front of her and winked. "You said that ten minutes ago! If I didn't believe you then I don't believe you now. I feel like a weather balloon. I can barely see my feet and my boobs barely fit into this halter top. Ugh!". She turned back to the mirror and smirked at her image. Her husband on the other hand who loomed behind her and stared back at her, just kept smiling. "Well, I love every inch of you. Including and especially your boobs". She rolled her eyes and got a pinch in the bum from her handsome man. "Ouch!" She turned again to face him and he took her around the waist and pulled her close. "Stop worrying. You look lovely Miranda! I'm the luckiest guy in the world and the happiest too!". She looked up into the eyes of the man who had whittled down her will power day by day by courting her until she gave up and gave in. He proved that he wanted her and only her. No matter the economic differences that hey had, the familial life that she wouldn't walk away from and her career that meant the world to her, he proved he was the man for her. She had tried to push him away. She had outright ignored him and even tried to see other men but it had all proven useless. When her brother invited his friends over for dinner and included him she had been irate. He had won her brother over and that was nothing short of impossible but when her brother's friends and "girl" friends began paying too much attention to the good looking tall glass of water she had caved. She took what was hers and never looked back. "Well, since you don't seem to mind being seen with me then I guess your stuck with me". She stared up into his handsome face and watched his eyes that glittered with mischief. He lowered his hands down her back and let them come to rest on her bottom, which had also grown as well and laughed as he said "oh I don't mind at all baby. Not one little bit". He rarely beat his brother at anything but, they married first, got pregnant first and we're having twins to boot! The brothers were competitive about many things but what they both acknowledge as off limits was their family ties. They had grown their family by the simple addition of Alina's relation to Ashley and then their marriage which had been planned in under a month. She kissed the lips that still made her melt and thanks God for all the blessing that had been bestowed on them all since this whole affair had begun. She would never have predicted that this was now her life. When she pulled away reluctantly from her insanely gorgeous lover she smiled "C'mon loverboy your brother is getting married to my best friend and sister-in-law to be. Let not keep them waiting any longer". He pecked her lips once more and lacing her fingers through his own pulled her gently toward the door. "Let's go then-it's time I see my brother cry! It's not something that I want to miss!"

"No peeking! I know it's not bad luck, but I want to surprise you!". Evan held Alina's hand in his own and squeezed it before kissing her knuckles softly. "You surprised me the moment I met you. You've surprised me with your gentleness, your beauty, your courage, your loyalty, and your love. There won't ever be a day I'm not surprised to find myself loved by you babe". He felt her fingers sliding in and out of his as he softly held her soft delicate hand in his own. "Evan... you're making me cry". They were separated by a door for now but in half an hour they would never be separated again. His heart beat faster just knowing she would be his forever. "Alina....when our baby come, let's remember this day and tell her all about. How her mama and dad couldn't wait to begin building their lives together waiting for her to get her". She felt her squeeze his hand and then she told him to close his eyes. "Ok, they're close!". "Evan, promise me you'll keep the closed..I want us to look at each other for the first time when I walk down the aisle...promise!" He smiled to himself and replied "I solemnly promise my love". He felt the door push open and then felt her felt her way toward him. As she came into his space he pulled her forward by her waist and held her close enough to feel her breath but no further. "My eyes are closed to. So let's hold hands and I'll move into you a little more ok?" "Ok babe-I'm ready". She took a step forward and her head jumped his chin and they both giggled. He wanted desperately to open his eyes but he wouldn't. He wanted to see her for the first time too when she walked down the aisle. He let her hands go and they traveled up her side and over the saying she wore and the up her shoulder and to her bare neck and then just below her chin. He felt her shiver and giggle and then hi lips found her cheek and then the corner of her lips and then her mouth. He gently kissed her knowing that the sign that escaped her mouth was replicated by his own. He kissed her long and slow and when he pulled away he felt a longing like nothing he had ever felt before. "I love you more than one minute ago and no matter how long we live I'll love you more then too". She touched his beaded face and reached up on tip toes and kissed him softly before pulling back slowly. "Now that we got that out of the way-let's get married! I want to be your wife for the rest of my life and I can't wait another second". He laughed and held onto her fingertips until she was behind the door once more and her hand slipped out of his. "See you at the alter Alina-see you soon".