CHAPTER 5

Ned entered his living room and found Alexis curled up on the couch reading a brief. She looked up when he said "hello".

"You look like you could use a drink," she said, tossing the report onto the coffee table and rising from the couch.

Ned placed his jacket and tie on a nearby chair and began to loosen the buttons on his sleeves and the collar of his white shirt.

"I really just want to go to bed," he said, but he poured himself a brandy.

Alexis came up behind him and put her arm around his shoulders, leaning in close.

"That can be arranged," she whispered in his ear.

He took a long swallow of his drink and placed the glass on the table. Turning, he wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled.

"Shall we?"

Alexis smiled knowingly. "After you, my darling."

Their lovemaking was always spectacular and that night's was no exception. The problem was it wasn't producing what they'd both desperately wanted: a child.

"I love making love to you, Mr. Ashton," she told him, as she lay in his arms.

"I do, too," he said, nuzzling her neck.

"I just wish I could get pregnant," she sighed. "I see Keesha with those adorable twins, and I know what she went through to have them, and I think to myself, I'm willing to go through what she did if that's what it takes. Why can't I get pregnant?"

Ned turned so he could face her.

"It will happen, darling. I know it will. We've had all the tests done. We've been pronounced fit and healthy. The time must not be right. That's all."

"But we've been trying for close to two years, Ned. Aren't you losing hope?"

"Never. I always have hope. You should, too."

He kissed her. "I just enjoy all our practice sessions, and I look forward to many, many more."

She laughed softly and caressed his cheek. "You're right, my darling. My worrying about this isn't going to make it happen."

"That's right," he said and held her close once more. "I don't want you worrying about anything. I love you too much."

"I love you, too," she said and kissed him goodnight.

But as she tried to get to sleep, she couldn't help but think that with every passing month, they were getting further and further away from ever having a baby.