All's Fair in Love and Business: Xavier's Story

Ch. 30

"What happened? It started off so well?" Eva, questions, confused. Glancing to Xavier's retreating figure, looking upset for her friend.

"I have no idea. I told him I couldn't keep the ring, that I returned it and left it at his house. Then he took off." I tell her, confused and frustrated with not only him but myself as well.

Eva takes out a chair and sits. "Xavier was holding out hope you'd come to your senses, he even thought you were still wearing it. The ring is a big deal to him." Eva says, looking apprehensive.

"He told you that?" I ask, quietly. I sit down next to her. Wanting more information about what Xavier is thinking.

She nods sadly. "The crew found the key under the door but no ring. He was happy you kept the ring, he was sure you'd choose him."

"Choose? We are in two very different stages in life." I say, feeling drained. "I want him to be happy."

"So, compromise." Liz urges, looking irritated with me. "Meet him halfway."

"Compromise?" I ask, knowing Xavier has never even hear that word before. "I told him I wanted to expand the business with you and Aaron, that we would have to put off having kids until then. He wouldn't agree to that. Plus, he was the one to give my key back, he broke it off with me." I say, defensively.

"Why would you have to wait? I just had Aaron Jr. I'm doing it all, so can you." She points out, suspiciously. "You're making excuses, Piper. This isn't like you."

"He wants me to be a stay at mom. Hearing that, I couldn't help but agree that was the best option. I do want to stay home with the kids, but I want a career too. If only he'd wait, but he refuses to."

Liz scoffs. "So, offer him marriage and babies, but stand firm against staying at home to do it. The kids can always come to the office with you. Theres plenty of room. I plan of hiring a nanny soon. I'll work when I need to and take care of Aaron when I can. Its not a corporate office, Pip. We can plan around things like this." She points out, simply.

"What if I'm not ready for all of that?" I question them, feeling lost and confused.

    Shouldn't I know who I want to be by  now? Why do I feel so conflicted all the time? Liz makes it sound so easy, maybe it is. Why do I insist on making it harder. Why am I pushing him away?

"Well, then you're dong the right thing by cutting him lose. He'll find someone ready to start a life with." Liz states, knowingly.

I feel my heartbreak at the possibility, but know that its true. He will move on and he will obtain the life that he wants so badly.

"Are you really just going to let him go?" Eva asks, angry on Xaviers behalf. "Yes, he can be a moron, but you wont find anyone to love you like he does. If you're not ready it because you don't love him."

I shake my head in denial. "I love him."

"Then you need to communicate a hell of a lot better. No more demands! And for the love of God, no more walking away from each other until you fight it out and come to an agreement." Eva, shouts getting Liz's approval.

"Go find him, Pip. Tell him where you can bend and stop being so damn ridged." Liz, encourages and scolds at the same time.

I reluctantly stand up and start walking to the house. I find him in the living room playing with Serena with Ruxin rolling his eyes over Serena's announcement that Uncle Xaviers tower is far superior than her daddy's. Xavier looks happy with this as he points out all of Ruxin's construction flaws. Serena nods agreeing with everything he says, knowing shes making her dad angry. Ruxin's stands up shaking his finger at her and she shrieks as she starts running away with him chasing after her.

I watch amused, "She is exactly like, Eva."

Xavier nods in agreement, "Its scary."

"I need to talk to you." I tell him.

He stands up. "So talk." He states, crossing his arms stubbornly.

I roll my eyes. "In private."

He leads me to a room and I look around, it's definitely Ruxin's office. I know he's impatiently waiting for me to begin. I take a deep breath and organize my thoughts. I need to tell him everything I feel.

"I love you. I do. However, I'm scared for so many reasons, that I can't even make sense of all them. I want to marry you. After you ask in an appropriate way, of course." I say, pointedly. "I would also like to start a family soon, but I wont give up my career. Liz plans on having a nanny at the office and spending as much time with baby Aaron as possible, but not throwing away what we built. If you can't or won't accept this then, we need to call it what it is and walk away for good. I can't be doing this back and forth crap." I tell him, truthfully.

He nods. "You'll stop taking birth-control? And you'll marry me? We wont wait 5 years?" He asks, needing clarification.

"No, I don't want to wait. I haven't taken my pills for two weeks. " I admit, deep down I want it all. I want to be married, build a home, have kids, continue to advance my career.

"But you'll still work. You wont stay at home?" He states, stepping closer to me.

"Yes, its a nonnegotiable." I tell him, my heart pounding.

He walks over, "Okay." He agrees, smiling. "God, I am so tempted to take you on Ruxin's desk, but don't where its been or what its seen." He states, ominously.

I laugh. "I'm sure Ruxin uses it for recreation purposes. Eva did mention his taste for tables."

Please let me know of any mistakes! Thanks so much! Xo