Epilogue (Pt 2)
�I don�t know what kinds of issues you have with Christian,� she went on, placing her hands on hips, as if daring Julia to challenge her, �and, you�re right, I don't know everything there is to know about him. But I do know what he is. I know that he is the most honest, kind, decent, and caring person I�ve ever met. And the most selfless,� she faltered, her mind inevitably taking her back to the events of a few days ago, when his selflessness nearly cost him his life. How dare this � woman talk to him like that?
Anger flared back up in the green eyes, as she continued in a chillingly calm voice, accentuating each word. �I know that he has more integrity than you could ever dream of, Mrs. McNamara. I know that I can trust him with everything I have, including my life.�
Her eyes narrowed briefly, taking in the rigid, uncomfortable-looking couple before her, and she added with an undisguised note of sarcasm in her voice, �I�m no expert on relationships, but I�ll bet you don�t have that kind of trust in yours.�
Julia paled, and Xandrie heard Christian snort behind her, stifling a laugh. She was right on the money.
She smiled triumphantly, taking a half-step back and defiantly taking Christian by the arm, which he readily offered.
Turning briefly to Liz, she smiled amiably once again. �It was really nice to meet you.� Then, turning back to the McNamaras, she nodded her goodbyes, and, just before turning to leave, added in a mildly scathing manner, �You know, Julia, if you are any indication of what American girls are like, I can see why Christian would want to look elsewhere. Good day.�
They walked off, hand in hand, leaving two stunned, open-mouthed McNamaras and a thoroughly amused Liz in their wake.
�I like her,� Liz commented finally, grinning at her companions. That statement earned a strange glance from Sean, and her grin became even wider. �Not that way, don�t worry. That�s not what I meant. Besides,� she pointed at the retreating couple, �I am quite certain she�s already taken.�
***
�What happens now?� Xandrie asked quietly, once they exited the airport.
�What do you mean?�
�With my identity, my name.� She stopped, turning sideways to face him. This question has been on her mind for a long time now, and she could not ignore it any longer. �Alexandra Aubain has disappeared � died in the fire back in France, as far as everyone�s concerned.� "And Alexandra Troy never really existed," she thought bitterly. �I need a new name. You know anyone I could go to here to arrange that?�
Christian frowned, taken slightly aback by her suddenly cold demeanor. �I�m not sure you need to��
�I was thinking �Marianne Cousteau�,� she interrupted, cutting him off. �What do you think?�
�What�s wrong with Alexandra?� he protested softly, � I like that name.�
She shrugged indeterminably. �I read somewhere that �Alexandra� is a Greek name, it means �protector of mankind�.� She laughed bitterly. �Some protector I turned out to be.�
�Well, I don�t know about that,� Christian grinned, thinking back to the expression of absolute shock on Julia�s face, as she cringed under Xandrie�s verbal attack. �I think you did pretty well in that department back there.�
�I almost got you killed � 3 times,� she objected, her voice dropping to almost a whisper.
�I am here, aren�t I?� he tried and, not getting any response, asked, concerned, �What�s wrong?� but she merely shook her head in defeat, and lowered her gaze to the floor.
How could she possibly explain to him what was bothering her? She couldn't even quite explain it to herself. Was it the fact that he only introduced her as "Alexandra Aubain"? Not "Xandrie, my girlfriend," or "Xandrie, the woman I love"? Or was it the fact that her short-lived existence as Mrs. Christian Troy (even if fake) was coming to an end, now that that particular cover was no longer needed?
She felt his hand lay gently on her shoulder and started, torn away from her gloomy thoughts. She looked up, instantly getting completely lost in two beautiful pools of blue that smiled warmly at her.
�You know,� he began softly, a trace of good mischief creeping into his voice, �I really do like the name Alexandra. I�d hate for you to change it.� He paused for good measure, struggling to put on a solemn face. �Especially, since I think this name fits much better with the last name Troy than does Marianne.�
Xandrie felt like a bucket of cold water has just been dumped on her head.
�Wh-wh-what?� she stammered.
Christian lost his hopeless struggle, and his face broke into a wide beaming smile. �Are you really going to force a wounded man to get down on one knee and beg?� he teased, enjoying her bewilderment.
�Are you serious?� she managed.
His smile faded then, his genuinely solemn expression reflecting the weightiness of the situation.
�I�ve never been more serious about anything in my life,� he stated simply. �I�ve never been more sure either,� he added, his blue eyes boring into hers, the intensity of his stare almost too much to withstand.
Seconds ticked away, as they gazed at each other, motionless, silent: one, trying to digest the implications of this unexpected turn of events; the other, waiting with baited breath for her response.
�So, what do you say,� Christian asked finally, breaking the charged silence. �Would you agree to try this Mrs. Troy thing for real?�
As if snapping out of a dream, Xandrie reached up suddenly, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down to her level, her mouth closing hungrily over his. He moaned, his mind shutting off everything around him, losing himself in the most amazing, breathtaking sensation that was her kiss.
When they finally broke off, both breathing heavily, both slightly weak in their knees, he whispered hoarsely, his eyes never leaving the mesmerizing green of hers, �Does this mean �yes�?�
Leaning into his tall form, her arms wrapping themselves tightly but carefully around his back, she smiled blissfully in response to his expectant stare. �Yes.�
La Fin