Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"I flatly refuse grandma, you can't marry me to a stranger!"

Ash listened from the kitchen as his brother and grandmother argued, normally he wouldn't be interested, it was always about the business but this time it was about a commitment? His brother is screwed.

"Fezco understands that it is for the good of all, we will have that farm, and you will also have a beautiful young woman to keep you company, and who knows maybe she will have beautiful babies on the way"His grandmother took out a cigarette and lit it, while Fezco shook his head.

"I don't even know her" His grandmother just scoffed while smoking her cigarette.

"And that, you will not be the first or the last who has not met his fiancée, besides things are like that, that girl needs you, her mother was quite slippery to ask me this idea but in the end I accepted." Fezco clenched his fists.

"what has no more suitors?"

"That's the problem, she doesn't have her, her mother told me that men don't love her, and she's worried about her well-being, Mrs. Howard can't keep her forever, that's why she asked me if we could come to an arrangement and here we are." he pointed his finger at his grandson while he was frowning.

" You are getting older, the clock is ticking, you need to make a family for this business to continue and prosper."

"Yes, but I can do it when I want, not when you send it, that's what bothers me, besides what happens if she's ugly or has some condition, that's why men don't approach her" 

His grandmother shook her head, Fezco felt bad about denigrating someone without knowing her but he had his reasons.

"First that was rude Fezco all women are beautiful, second they don't want to be with her because her standards are so high because of her sister, Cassandra Howard."

Fezco grimaced, he had seen this Cassandra in town, everyone always looked at her in awe of her enormous breasts, but the big winner that came to his heart was Nathaniel Jacobs. Sigh, this was his destiny to be tied to someone he might never love, blessed his life.

"Well, but at least I should meet her, don't you think so."

"If that's why I invited them to come to eat." She smoked his cigarette again and Fez waited patiently.

"Just do me a favor and keep all the bottles of liquor." Fez frowned. 

"Why?"

"Her mother is a heavy drinker, and we don't want her to embarrass your fiancée." Fez nodded, as he left as fast as possible, Ash saw his brother and mockingly asked him.

"So you will have a girlfriend?"  Fezco glared at him. "Shut up."

●

While at the Howard house, Alexia received the news of her engagement to Fezco O'Neill, and she also didn't take it well.

"But mother..." They were together on the sofa in the living room, Lexi's eyes were a little glassy, and her mother shook her head.

"No buts, Lexi, you don't know how hard it was for me to convince Mrs. O'Neill that her grandson was your fiancé." Lexi just felt overwhelmed, she knew this day would come but not so fast, she wanted to cry, she wanted to escape.

"But what about love."

"Lexi, it is something that may be resolved."

"That's what I fear mother "maybe", what happens if we never love each other."

"You continue with your life Lexi, you will not be the first and only woman who married without love, believe me."

Lexi always imagined that a handsome gentleman was courting her, that he would see something in her, that made her heart pound so hard, that he would tell her that he would be her one true love. But that was only in the novels, she always stayed outside, nobody invited her to dance, or to have tea, she was always alone, reading the novels that her father brought her, always looking in the mirror and wondering if something was wrong with her. she, seeing how her sister was praised for her beauty, but telling her that it was not a good idea for a woman to have so many ideas, she wanted to feel loved, but seeing her situation now if she remained disappointed, she would never have her novel love, and it would only remain on white sheets.

"Will I at least meet him?"  Lexi asked her mother, she nodded.

"Tomorrow we will go to his house, maybe they can talk, as long as someone is there."

"Okay." Lexi spoke in a whisper, Suze took her daughter's hand.

"All this I do for your own good Lexi, I know you dreamed of a great love story but, it's time for you to put that aside and realize the true challenges of the real world, I love you so much my girl and I will always see the best for you."  Lexi smiled and hugged her mom, but inside she felt so heartbroken, and sad at least she has the consolation that she will meet her fiancé tomorrow, and she hopes it won't be so bad.

●

Fezco couldn't sleep, he never thought about marriage, why was it important to his grandmother now? Was it just because of the farm or did he worry that no one wanted him? He was so confused, romantic love was only read in the novels or half. But what if maybe he could fall in love, maybe... He also had doubts about the young Alexia Howard, why did she not have suitors? Did she have an annoying temper? Could it be that she is in poor health? Could it be that she does not have a body fit to have a child? Now that he thought about it, children, having children with someone he didn't know made him extremely depressing, that's why he will tell his wife when they are married that they won't have a bed until they are sure, he doesn't want unwanted babies.

●

Lexi was writing in her diary. "Dear Diary... I have lost hope that someone loves me, I know that in these writings there was a young woman with the illusion of falling in love but maybe that is not possible... Fezco O'Neill is his name, I don't know how it is, I know I don't have to be negative but, something in me says that he will be the same as everyone, that they leave me aside... I plan not to write anymore for the moment... I hope that my other life is better in beauty and charisma, so as not to go through sorrows like this." He closed his book and put it in his drawer, lay down on his bed and looked at the ceiling. Maybe she can make Young O'Neill fall in love with her, but she's not that brave to do it, only her sister was able to pull that off, she hopes her fiancé isn't so cold

●
The O'Neill house was quite modest, he saw a large garden and he can't imagine what it will be like inside.
"Remember Lexi behave well, and be polite."
"Yes mother."
Suze looked at her daughter and gave her an amused smile, but asked anyway.
"Was that dress Cassie's?"
Lexi looked embarrassed, it was a sky blue lace dress, obviously it wasn't as tight to her chest but it looked presentable and apart from that Cassie always wore it when they went out, she had a half ponytail with well-defined waves.
"Yes... I look bad."
"No, you look lovely so you'll have it right away." He snapped his fingers.
Lexi blushed.
"Thank you mother."
At that the door opened, and a servant came out.
"Good afternoon, we come by an invitation from Mrs. O'Neill" Suze spoke.
"Yes, he is waiting for you ahead."

the lady guided, mother and daughter entered, Lexi saw that there were several paintings, and a photograph of what seems to be the O'Neill Family.
They reached the living room and were greeted by a blonde lady, very well groomed, but with a cigarette between her lips.
"Good afternoon."spoke Mrs. O'Neill.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. O'Neill." her mother spoke, Lexi greeted cordially as she bowed her head.
"Sit down, Fezco won't be long in coming."
They took their seats, Lexi turning and looking directly into Mrs. O'Neill's eyes.
"So you're Alexia? You're very pretty, I like your dress."
"Thank you very much, amm...your house is very nice, there are many interesting paintings." She continued with the talk
"If they were all made by my daughter-in-law, even if they don't have a signature they are invaluable to me."
"I understand, it is a sentimental value, it is a great detail."
"If so, do you paint?"
"am... yes sometimes, but I'm not that good."
The lady just smiled warmly, Lexi looked at her mother and she also smiled at her.
The moment was cut short when they heard hurried footsteps.
"Those must be my grandchildren."

He shook his head and stubbed out the cigarette in his hand.
Lexi was surprised, she looked at her mother and she just shrugged.
"Sorry we're late, it's just that we had problems with one of the merchants." the boy spoke, as he approached his grandmother.
Behind him appeared a tall man with a beard and blue eyes.
Lexi felt nervous as their gazes connected.
"These are my grandchildren Ashton and Fezco O'Neill, Fezco, Ash these are Suze and Alexia Howard."
Mother and daughter rose from their seats and bowed.
"Nice to meet you." Suze spoke.
"It's a pleasure."Lexi spoke in a whisper.

Fezco looked at the one who would be his fiancée, and what a surprise it gave him, she wasn't ugly, even if someone thought about it they were so wrong, he swallowed his words, she was like very fine porcelain. her cheeks dyed red made her look adorable.

"Well now that he introduced himself why don't we leave these two alone to get to know each other while we see the Wedding, Ash why don't you go do other things."
Ash just rolled his eyes, gave his brother one last look.
"I'm leaving, it was a pleasure to meet you."
And with that he left quickly to climb the stairs.
"Okay, stay here while you talk, and be careful because Margaret is watching you." Fez's grandmother said to the maid who was in a corner.
Both young men nodded, while the older women left.

They stayed in silence, Lexi hated the silence because it tensed up, on the other hand Fez wanted to talk but his shyness had him in a panic, Lexi sighed and spoke.
"I, am...sorry you have to go through this sir, I know you may have someone else in mind for the engagement." Lexi spoke without looking at him, to which Fez was surprised.
"Okay, I am... I don't have anyone in mind for the commitment if I'm honest, I know that you may feel pressured but I want you to know that it is not the case." 
"Good to Know."
He fell silent again.
"I know your sister is with Nathaniel Jacobs."
"Am...yes, I court her but well it was a scandal because they, amm..." Lexi blushed at the fact but even so.

"they were having intimacy and they had to get married, but my sister sends me letters from how well cared for it is."
Fezco blushed and scratched the back of his neck.
"I did not know that."
"No? A lot of people talked about that, even her friend Maddie called her a thief, since she took Nathaniel's attention away from her."
Fezco scoffed, and so did Lexi.

"Well am..I just want to say that it's good to meet you and that you don't feel overwhelmed."
:Thank you very much, amm..and I'm still sorry that you have to marry me by commitment."
Fezco could tell the harshness of her words, but her voice sounded so peaceful, she gave him a small smile.
"Rather I am the one who has to regret that you have to marry me."
Lexi looked at him puzzled but just shook her head to which Fez was going to ask but her grandmother arrived.
"Well we can talk a little."
"Yes." they said in unison.
"Excellent, well Alexia's mother and I needed them to get married within 1 month."
Fezco and Lexi looked at each other in surprise.
"So fast." Lexi spoke.
" Alexia, don't worry, it's the best, besides, I already sent a letter to your sister so that she can come as soon as possible. It will also be a small event, not so ostentatious."

"It's decided, now we're going to eat, Ash come here it's time for food!"  Grandma shouted at the end.
Lexi had a small laugh, then looked at Fezco who was puzzled.

This only deep breath, began to walk towards the dining room, turned to see Fez made a sign for him to accompany her and he will follow her.

Chapter Text

Lexi had never felt so watched, usually she was the one doing it, but now both Ash and Fezco were watching her every move, and it made her so nervous that her hand was even shaking.

But she put that aside for the dessert they brought her was very tasty, she really liked anything with strawberries and shoe polish in it.

"So Alexia" Fez's grandmother spoke to her.

"You can call me Lexi, ma'am" she clarified politely, the lady smiled at her.

"I understand dear, just to ask when do you want to go see your wedding dress?"

Lexi was surprised, and Fezco started coughing.

"Ammmm...no lose maybe next week, even recent this." 

"Okay whatever you say, but it has to be on time, it serves we are going to talk to the priest" she turned her gaze now to Mrs. Howard, her mother finished eating her piece of cake. 

"Right, we will go and talk to him, to agree on the day" spoke this time her mother.

"As you wish" Lexi clarified as she looked down at her unfinished dessert.

She didn't want to talk about this anymore.

Fez noticed her discomfort, they both looked at each other, Lexi gave him a warm smile, but Fez just looked away quickly.

She was so pretty that he couldn't bear to look at her, and he would have to see her every day. 

While Lexi took it the wrong way, and felt embarrassed.

"What did you think I was going to do Lexi, he doesn't want this, he's not going to be nice to you as soon as they meet" the young woman said to herself internally.

The afternoon passed, as her mother was being served her first glass of wine, Fez's grandmother took her to show her the paintings of her daughter-in-law.

"Everyone up close has great detail, it looks like she had a fascination with it." Lexi looked closely at a painting of some pine trees with mountains and what looked like a lake.

"Yeah, she wanted everything perfect, too bad my son wasn't good enough for her, I always told that to the jerk, but anyway, the only good thing she got out of it was Fez and Ash."

Lexi nodded.

"Grandma shouldn't say those words, Miss Lexi maybe she's not used to it." Fezco interjected annoyingly, her grandmother shrugged. 

"Well then cutie you'll have to get used to it, I curse a lot; more when things don't go the way I want to and I smoke too."

"don't worry I'm used to it" She glanced sideways at her mother who was in the living room, while Ash kept an eye on her.

●

"Thank you very much for the invitation and past we will go and talk to the priest to arrange the date" Suze said a little drunk, but she could still be very normal.

"Yes don't worry Suze, we will arrange that, and then about the dress, I already want to see how pretty you will look in one." 

Mrs. O'Neill lamented, as she nudged her grandson.

Lexi wasn't used to being praised so much, but she liked for a moment being the attention of someone, especially Mrs. O'Neill no doubt felt a respect and empathy for her.

"Well then we'll be off, but you young Fezco feel free to visit my daughter anytime, that yes a chaperone will be there." 

Fezco just nodded, her grandfather just rolled his eyes, Lexi politely said goodbye, and got her mother into the carriage, before she got in, Fez's grandmother spoke.

"You just as well feel free to come little Howard, this at the end of the day will be your home." 

Lexi also nodded a little shyly, and entered the carriage, from there they watched as they departed.

Fezco and his grandmother got in.

"So how is she cute isn't she?"

"Yes she is, I'll eat my words for what I said yesterday." 

"That's what I like to hear, but Fez spoke up with this, you can go visit her anytime after all you are her suitor, I don't know maybe they will fall in love." 

Ash just snorted, listening to them as they approached the living room.

"Careful young man because I'm doing the same to you too" his grandmother pointed her finger and Ash just shook his head.

Fezco caught both of their attention.

"I'll see grandma, but for now it was nice to meet you." 

"Really, you hardly spoke to her, when they looked at each other you always looked away, and from what I saw Miss Howard might have felt self-conscious" Ash spoke reproachfully, he didn't know why but he didn't like his brother acting so cold to someone who looked so sad.

His grandmother folded her arms and smiled.

"Well it looks like someone had their eye on what we were doing."

"I'm just stressing the facts, Miss Howard looked sad and glum, maybe that's why men don't approach her, why they always avoid looking at her or talking to her."

"That's a good point" the woman looked at Fez and he was tense. "Take note of the little guy maybe he will teach you how to woo someone" and with that she went off to her rooms, leaving the brothers alone.

"So are you going to visit her?" Ash asked snapping his brother out of his trance.

"Maybe I will, this week is very busy, remember there is business to attend to." 

"Yeah sure make that an excuse." Ash got up from the couch and walked over to Fez, Fez just sighed.

"It's not an excuse, it's true, I'll come visit her soon." With that he left.

Ash shook his head, he knew his brother was stubborn about some things, there's him, overall he doesn't want to step up and that's not his problem.

●

Lexi arriving home, left her mother in her room, putting a blanket on her and closing the door, the trip plus the wine had exhausted her.

The young man went to his room, took off his shoes, and dress.

She changed into her robe, even though it wasn't nighttime, but she wanted to be comfortable and she wasn't going out.

She lay down on her bed, and hugged a pillow, thinking about young Fezco O'Neill, he was handsome that she couldn't deny but he was so distant with her, Lexi remembering him felt the hopelessness again, that no one wanted her around, they always looked at her in such a disinterested way and that devastated her.

She only wanted to dream that night that maybe the one who would be her husband, who had met her before, maybe at a dance, maybe on the way to town somewhere, and that they were falling in love little by little, would soon get married and have a child and a happy ending.

But memories of the past came following her instead of having nice dreams. 

●

"May I have this piece Miss Howard" spoke a young man calling Charles to Cassandra, she looked at her little sister and she felt encouraged.

"With pleasure."

Lexi was always her sister's chaperone, it felt good because it was her only way to go out, but seeing others dancing, having a partner and so on, made her jealous, she wanted that too, but she knows everything in its own time, besides she was still too young for engagement.

She only hoped that her gallant fiancé would have eyes only for her.

●

"If you would take more care in your appearance I wouldn't have these problems" Cassie spoke annoyed.

"I do you have seen, but no one wants to be with me." 

"Will it be because you don't stop babbling about books and data that no one is interested in, please Lexi, shut that mouth and practice your moves better because at that rate you'll end up just as old maid as aunt Sandra" and with that Cassie left the room.

Lexi just stayed hugging her pillow as she cried.

●

She wasn't going to change just because a boy liked her, she tried but it didn't work, if only Lexi had herself so be it, she just has to show how strong she is, even if inside she is so hurt by her self esteem and self confidence.

And with that she began to close her eyes, this time she no longer wanted to dream or have memories, she just wanted the peace that maybe she once had.

● 

The days after that, they left quickly her mother and Mrs. O'Neill stopped by to talk to the priest , while Lexi was at home, Fezco never went to visit her after lunch.

Lexi didn't feel sad about that, hardly anyone visited her anyway, so when her mother left the market, Lexi went to the garden to see her precious children.

She went out to where a small tree stood, arranged the things she brought and waited.

Then she heard meowing, Lexi smiled and there were her cats.

There were two small cats and one big cat.

The big cat was named Frankie, the black and white cat was named Mel and the last one, which was white and orange, was named Olive.

Lexi had found them, one afternoon, all dirty and muddy, Lexi felt sorry for them, so she took them home, fixed them up and they looked beautiful, too bad she couldn't keep them as her mother was very superstitious.

"Cats Lexi, you know what they can do to you, don't get attached to them, don't you see they can give you fleas or worse not have children." 

Lexi was worried about the latter, everyone said that having cats for women wasn't a good idea, but she couldn't help that they were so cute.

Frankie settled on Lexi's lap while the other two started playing, Lexi picked up a ribbon and started wiggling it, the kittens looked at her and started chasing her.

Lexi would enjoy these moments as they would be her last, maybe if she asked her fiancé she could take them, but she feared his answer would be no, so she wouldn't risk it.

●

Fezco was pacing back and forth in his office, he had been nervous whether or not to go to the Howard's house, he knows he blew it by not going the other day, but he was busy, maybe she would understand.

It was getting harder and harder for him to keep his thoughts straight, he was anxious, nervous, how could he be with a young woman like Lexi Howard.

He wasn't used to giving affection, maybe compliments and recognition from his grandmother, but to be affectionate, to show a romantic side that wasn't for him.

He hoped Ms. Howard would understand that for him it was very difficult, but the truth is, he did use work as an excuse, not to go see her.

"Fuck, I'm the worst."

●

"What are we doing here?" asked Fez to his grandmother, arriving in town.

"Like what are we going to do?, well we're going to buy your fiancée her ring" 

Fez choked up.

"I thought you would see about that" 

"You're silly Fez, me a grown woman looking for a rings for a young girl, that doesn't look too good." 

"Okay yes, wait" Fez looked at her grandmother doubtfully." Rings?, we only need one"

"Ahg, Fez how un-detailed you are, just like your father you had to be" she shook her head, they both got out of the carriage and started walking towards the jewelry store. "Rings why is one an engagement ring and the other a wedding ring, silly." 

Fez reluctantly opened the door to the store, his grandmother passed before, he followed her.

"Good day have Mrs. O'Neill, and you too Young Fezco" spoke the store owner." Is there anything I can help you with?" 

"Yes, could you show us the engagement and wedding rings, please." 

"Oh, yes of course let me." 

The owner went to the back to check, while Fez and Grandma were silent.

The owner arrived, with two boxes as he opened them there was a wide variety of rings, her grandmother pointed them out for him to see.

"Pick the one you like best for her." 

She suggested.

Fez started looking through the boxes, they were all so shiny and pretty, he didn't know which one to choose, the wedding one was easy it only had gold in it, but the engagement one, something about it said it had to be special , so he chose the one he thinks would look good on Miss Howard.

And it was a ring with small diamonds all around, and the center had a big diamond in the shape of a heart.

Fezco took it, looked at it closer, and could imagine Lexi bringing that one with her, like something special that he had seen for her.

"May I have this one please" he spoke as he handed the ring to the owner.

"Yes of course, what about the other one?" I ask Fez's grandmother.

"This one looks like it will fit him" said the grandmother as she gave him the ring anyway.

"Well I'll put them in their respective boxes."

"So, did you like that one for her." 

"Yes it's very pretty, it reminded me of her." 

His grandmother had a knowing smile 

"Well I'm glad, she's special, remember that, well let's go give it to her at her house." 

"What, all at once?" He ask surprised.

"We're close to her house, plus you get to see her face when you give her her ring, plus that will make up for you not going to visit her, too bad about that" 

He hit his grandson in the chest, he just grimaced in disgust at the blow.

"I've been busy with work" he excused.

"Yeah sure, lie to me if it makes you feel better."    

Fez was about to refute, but the owner arrived with a little black box for the ring he had chosen, and a white one for the wedding ring.

"All right, here you go. 

"Thank you very much." His grandmother replied. 

"Your fiancée is a very lucky girl." She winked at Fez and he just nodded.

"Thank you."

"Well how much would it be..."

"Yes come with me ma'am." 

As her grandmother retired to pay.

Fezco took the black capital, and contemplated how the ring looked.

No doubt it would look great on Lexi's finger, would she like it too?

●

" Good afternoon" Fezco politely greeted the maid. 

"Good afternoon, are you looking for Mrs. Howard?" asked the young maid. 

"Actually I was looking for Miss Lexi Howard." 

"Oh yes let me, she is in the garden." 

"No problem, I am.... Can I go in there?" 

The maid hesitated, but in the end agreed, she stepped aside.

"Amm...yeah sure, just let me let her know but come in, come this way."

Fezco looked sideways at the carriage, where his grandmother was coming, this one just signaled him to enter.

He entered the home and it looked like a very normal house, but empty, perhaps without soul, it was well decorated but apparently it was only the facade.

When she got to the door that led to the garden she could see how the maid approached a tree where Lexi was and whispered something to her, she turned around and saw Fezco in the distance.

She got up from the ground, and saw how there were three cats following her, she apparently didn't notice it, but it looked very cute.

Fezco walked to get closer to Lexi until they arrived together.

"Good morning Mr. O'Neill, it's nice to see you" Lexi spoke kindly.

"It's nice to see you again Miss Howard, I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner, I was just busy." 

"That's okay I understand" Lexi watched as Fezco squeezed something in her hand." Is everything okay?" 

"Yes, Yes, ammm...I'm coming to give you a present, more like your engagement ring." 

"Oh." 

Fez reached out his hand so she would notice the little black box, he opened it took out the ring, put the box in his pocket, held out his opposite palm as a cue for her to shake his hand, Lexi nervously pulled her closer.

They made contact, they both looked at each other deeply, both of their hearts were beating fast, and their cheeks were turning very red.

Lexi felt something warm in her chest, excitement, maybe happiness, she wanted to enjoy that moment, even though they didn't know each other that well.

On the other hand Fez was so enchanted, how could he survive the beauty and charming shyness of this young woman, he felt that at any moment his heart would jump out of his mouth.

So without further ado he slipped the ring on her finger, as they both watched this action it felt so intimate and unreal.

Lexi looked at the ring, it was so beautiful, she looked back at Fez who gave her a small smile.

"Thank you so much for the present, it is very beautiful, your grandmother has good taste." 

"I actually picked it out, I thought it was something you would wear." 

Lexi smiled showing her teeth, and Fez was being taken to Heaven itself, she was so lovely damn the time he left her alone all week. 

"Really thank you so much." 

The moment was interrupted by Fez hearing the purr on his leg.

This one took a step back and saw that a white cat with orange on it was the cause, Lexi looked down at the cat.

"Forgive him, I don't know what's wrong with him." 

Lexi picked up the cat carefully, and set it to go in an opposite direction, and so it went chasing after the other two cats.

"Are they yours" she questioned, the young woman shook her head.

"Well yes and no, I take care of them, but they don't live in the house, you know the superstitions about women and cats." 

"I understand" Fez could tell how fond they were of the cats, so he didn't think twice and said "when you're settled in my house you can take them with you, if you wish." 

Lexi blinked she could see a glimmer of happiness on his face. 

"Really, they wouldn't be a bother?" she asked.

"Not at all, the only bother is named Ash." 

Fez joked, Lexi laughed at the heavy joke. 

"That was very rude sir, but I'll let it slide."

They both fell into a slightly more comfortable silence.

Fezco watched as Lexi touched her ring with her fingertips.

"Would you like to stay..." 

"I have to go." 

 They spoke at the same time, Lexi blinked several times, but nodded her head.

"If it's okay, Mr. O'Neill, I know you have a lot of things to do."

"Yes I do, am....there's a lot of work, but" he took his fiancée's hand, to which Lexi was surprised, but Fezco didn't care, he looked at the ring and then at her.

"This time I will indeed come to visit you my lady." 

Lexi held her breath for what she said, "my lady," tonight she couldn't sleep without thinking of that word.

.

"Yes, that's fine, I'll wait for your visit."  

Fezco moved a little closer, hesitant about the move he was going to make, but he kissed Lexi's cheek.

Lexi felt her beard being scraped, something inside her felt so alive.

Lexi was so excited.

This one nodded and was gone as quick as lightning.

Lexi touched her cheek, it's bad to start to fall in love with this man.

Chapter Text

Lexi was not convinced with the dress she tried on, it was very pompous, there were a lot of ribbons, and bows on the skirt.
She walked out of the dressing room to let her mother and Mrs. O'Neill see her, they were sitting on a flowered sofa in the store.
Both women grimaced in disgust at the sight of her.
"I think it's too much," she looked at herself in the mirror that one of the employees had left there.
"I'll be honest lexi" spoke her mother "That dress is really horrible". 
"I agree, that's not your style dear, are there any more to try on?" said Fez's grandmother as she put out her cigarette.
"There's only one left, maybe it's the one." 
"Try it on then, all in all the day is not over yet and we have two other stores we can visit." 
Lexi nodded, and went back to the dressing room.
"God forbid the poor soul who would wear that dress" Suze clarified.
"Someone with lousy taste would buy that." 
Lexi changed and tried on the next one, she liked it because it had lace at the neckline, the dress was something she would wear, plus she looked pretty and elegant.
She walked out and her mother looked at her touched.
"My girl, look at you, you look beautiful." 
"Really, I feel good in this one, it's elegant, I like it." 
"You look more than pretty, you look beautiful, no doubt with a nice bouquet of flowers you will look even better" Fez's grandmother stressed, Lexi blushed and imagined it, pale pink flowers, and white.
"Do you like that one, Lexi?" her mother asked, getting up from the couch. 
Lexi took a good look in the mirror, she turned to get a better look, it was like a dream, it was what she had wanted.
"If I like it, this is it, I want this one." 
Her mother leaned in and hugged her, and listened as she sobbed, Lexi was shocked.
Suze broke away, and pulled a handkerchief from her dress, gently wiping her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's just that look at you love, you're all woman now, I know maybe it's not what you dreamed of but..." Lexi took her mother's hands and smiled at her.
"It's okay mother, it's perfect." 
Her mother gave her a watery smile.
Mrs. O'Neill stood up and exclaimed. 
"Okay, Miss, give me that dress please!" 
"As you say ma'am." They replied.
Lexi touched her mother's cheek and wiped away the last tear, after that she went to remove the dress for safekeeping.

When Fez's grandmother finished paying for the dress, both her mother and Lexi objected.
"Don't worry, total anything for my grandson's future wife" she winked at them.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. O'Neill" Lexi bowed in appreciation.
"Don't call me that anymore, your next "Mrs. O'Neill", call me Marie." 
"Thank you very much, Merie."
Mrs. O'Neill's carriage had arrived she smiled at Lexi, and got into her carriage.
"I hope Fez comes to see you soon, I already warned him that if he doesn't he will pay dearly for it." 
Lexi shook her head upset.
"Mistress Marie, don't say that, don't threaten." 
"Oh, Lexi it's the best I know how, well see you later little bride." 
She waved goodbye and the carriage began its departure.

Suze walked over to her daughter.
"Apparently you have Mrs. O'Neill's respect, good for you my dear, gaining ground." 
"Mother don't say that." 
"As far as I know, she always defended her daughter-in-law from her son's clutches until it ended in tragedy, and I'm glad someone in that house will look out for your safety." 
Lexi frowned at that comment and asked.
"You don't think Fezco won't?" 
"Not that I don't think so but you know Lexi, people change and badly
She knew who he meant, her father.
Suze took her daughter's arm and they started walking, but Lexi was crestfallen.
How would her father have reacted to her engagement, would he have thought about the family he left behind?
●
"So, is the dress on yet?" asked Fezco embarrassedly, she had arrived in the afternoon after going to town for her dress, they were both in the garden as before, Frankie and Mel were next to Lexi purring but Olive was very comfortable next to Fezco as he was stroking her head.

"Yes" she exclaimed excited but, seeing Fezco's face she just got embarrassed " Well yes, it's very nice I really liked it, I hope you like it too." 
"I will like it, that I assure you". 
Fezco didn't want to look at her out of embarrassment, instead he looked at Olvie, the cat licked her fingers, Fezco smiled.
"And tell me, is your sister coming?" Fezco asked.
"Yes, she will be here on Sunday, I'm looking forward to seeing her, besides she is already pregnant and the long trips have exhausted her." 
"Oh, is she expecting, I didn't know?" 
"Yes, she's only 5 months." 
"Well, here's to her and her husband" 
"Yes I think so, by the way Nathaniel is going to give me away at the altar, just so you know." 
Fezco frowned at that. 
"Why him?" 
"He's the only man in the family, well that's after you, but that's just the way it is." 
"I know maybe it's awkward subject and you can refuse but...your father, did he pass away or...?" 
"No he didn't pass away, don't you know that?" 
"I would have to, it's a personal thing, and like I said if you don't want to say it's okay." 
"Yes it's fine, well I thought your grandmother told you but well, amm...my father abandoned us." 

Fezco looked at her quickly upon hearing the last, he saw a look of disappointment on his fiancée, abandoning Lexi and her family?, Fezco more than anyone knew about abandonment his father did, so fast when his mother passed away, but Mr. Howard abandoning three women who would need him, it's very complicated.
"Is there a reason?." 
Lexi shifted her position and hugged her legs.
"I always saw him well, he was a good father, he loved me and Cassie, but I think the conflict with my Mother made everything go downhill, he started drinking, he hurt my mother on several occasions, Cassie always defended him, I was fed up and one day, he just disappeared, we asked my mother but she said that was no longer his problem, to leave him, to this day I don't know if it's right, or wrong." 
"I'm sorry, I know how it is, sometimes parents sucks." 
"But, you're not, are you?" 
They both looked at each other, Fezco felt panic, what had he gotten himself into but he took Lexi's hand and squeezed it.
"I won't be, trust me if we ever have children I won't be like your father or mine." 
Lexi gave him a small smile.
"I remember reading a phrase "children are destined to surpass their parents", I think in every way we will surpass them." 
"So be it" Fez clarified.
●
"Hey Lexi, you look so good, that Fezco is lucky to have you as his fiancée" Cassie said.

They had arrived more than anticipated, even though Nate was bringing a bad temper, but Lexi didn't care what she wanted was to see her sister and her little bundle of joy.
"Thank you." 
"So what's he like?" 
"He's handsome, he's got a reddish beard, he's got light blue eyes are very bright, he's very nice even though he's taken his distance from me, I know he won't hurt me." 
"Sounds like a good match, good for you Lexi." 

Apparently Cassie didn't know her marriage was arranged, bless God and her mother that she didn't know because she knows she would be made fun of, and that's the last thing she wants.

"So how's your marriage to Nate going?" 
Cassie shrugged, made sure no one else was in the room. 
"He has a concubine, Lexi" Cassie whispered.
Lexi looked with Horror at her sister.
"The what, why?" she walked over sitting next to her on the edge of the bed,her sister began to turn red in the face and started playing with her hands as a sign of nervousness.
"Because I'm pregnant Lexi, men don't like pregnant women." 
"That sounds stupid Cassie, you're carrying his first born, you're his wife the people he loves, why would he stop liking you" Lexi clarified angrily.
"I don't know, believe me I ask myself those questions too, but Nate's mother told me that, and that even her husband did it with her that she didn't have to worry but..." she started sobbing louder "how can they want me not to worry when I know my husband is maybe with a slut." 
Lexi hugged her sister and carved her back, this was wrong, Nate was a real jerk to do that to her sister, who gave herself to him and they had to get married as fast as it came out, men were so cruel, well, some... she hoped.
●
The days went by fast and before they knew it, it was the day of the wedding.

Cassie and Suze got Lexi up early, first they bathed her and scrubbed her so hard that she turned all red in the skin.
Then Cassie started to put a little makeup on her.
"I know you like to paint your lips, so I bought this for you."
Cassie pulled out a bright Red lipstick.
"Cassie you shouldn't have."
"All to make you have a special day sis." 
Lexi smiled, she looked at herself in the mirror and applied the lipstick, for some reason whenever she painted her lips she always felt confident, she thought it was her best attribute.
Suze, on the other hand, pulled her hair into a half ponytail, leaving her curls loose.
They adjusted her Corset, so that she had a figure and finally they fastened her dress.
"You look beautiful Lexi, I can't believe it" Cassie said on the verge of tears.
"My beautiful Bebe, I can't believe it but, the finishing touch is missing" Suze walked over to the dresser, and picked up the pair of pearl earrings with diamonds.
"Mom, these are Grandma's." 
"Yes, Cassie kept the necklace, you keep these, take care of them they are Howard's heirlooms." 
Lexi smiled waterily.
"Don't you cry too, we don't want to ruin that makeup." 
"She gently wiped away her tears, put her earrings back on and watched as everything fit perfectly.
Lexi felt like she was in a dream, she knows it's not for love, but at least she's starting to, because with that little exchange they had that day in the garden, when he gave her his ring, she knew she would be in love.
●
Fezco went to the mirror and sighed nervously, today was the day, he was marrying Lexi Howard, a shy girl like him, but with a big heart.
He doesn't know what to do, he's sweating, he's wiped his forehead several times, but still the hot flashes come back.
"Can you calm down, it's not the end of the world fez" spoke Ash " from watching you sweat so much I'm getting it too". 
"Shut up Ash, you don't know what I'm feeling." 
"Panic, fear, nervousness, it's normal but...is it because you're afraid of marriage or are you afraid of disappointing Ms. Howard" 

"Both I think, I barely know her, I don't know what's going to happen by doing this step". 
"Let the current take you, just don't be like the idiot who brought us into the world." 
Fezco frowned in confusion, was he talking about mom, Ash seemed to notice his confusion and rolled his eyes.
"I'm talking about father Fezco, not mom I barely even knew her, what a pacifier you are"
"Ah, yeah sorry I got confused" 
"I'll let it go because you're nervous."
Fezco smiled sideways, looked out the window people were arriving, well this was the start of something either very beautiful, or very disastrous.
But he knows that with Lexi Howard it would not be the last, even though knowing himself it is very difficult to know what will happen.
●
Fezco was already at the altar, apparently Lexi was somewhere else so he couldn't see her, he could only notice that Lexi's mother and her grandmother were already taking their places.

Ash on the other hand was heading to the kitchen to grab something to drink while the ceremony started but he heard an argument.
"Nate, you have to do this" pleaded the blonde woman, who he assumed was Lexi's sister, angrily.
"I will do no such thing, let someone else do it." 
" It's to be a gentleman Nate, God." 
Ash gave the tall guy who was the lady's husband a dirty look, "he's an idiot" he thought.
"I'm not walking her down the aisle, tell someone else to do it, it's not my obligation and if you make a fuss about it I'm out of here you heard me" 
Nate threatened, and Cassie just nodded, at that he slips away, Cassie turned to notice Ash, and he just froze.
"I didn't hear anything" he replied quickly, Cassie growled underneath.
"Yeah, right are you?" 
"Fezco's brother." 
"Right, Lexi's sister" she pointed out, just like that, Ash nodded.
"Okay, am...so no one's walking Lexi down the aisle then?" 
"Apparently not." 
"I can do it." 
"You want to do it?" 
"Yeah, no problem." 
" Okay, but listen if you tell Lexi what happened in this kitchen I swear I'll kill you."
Ash froze at the look she gave him, his eyes almost popped out, wow this woman was crazy.
●
The guests had already arrived, the priest too, the music was starting to play and Lexi was so nervous, she had already been told to come down.

"Well it's about time" Ash spoke behind her back.
"Oh Ash, why do you say that, what are you doing here?" Lexi was confused, Nate was supposed to take her.
"There were some complications with the one I was going to deliver to you but, here I am" he explained.

"You shouldn't have bothered, even though I know maybe Nate isn't as much of a gentleman as you" Lexi scoffed, Ash just smiled a little.
The wedding march began to play.
"Ready?" 
He held out his hand, Lexi looked at the door to the garden and then at Ash, she sighed, she took Ash's hand.

And they started walking,Lexi saw in front Fez,she looked so good in her outfit,she saw the others around her,everyone had their eyes on her,it felt strange,she was never the center of attention,almost no one noticed her but now,it was her special day,she felt weird like her stomach was about to explode from nerves,she felt seen and more so by the man she was going to marry.

Fezco was surprised by the energy that Lexi radiated, pure and magnetic, but he was equally surprised to see Ash deliver Lexi to the altar, he would ask her later but now, his fiancée was already by his side.

Their hands collided at their sides and they felt a twinge of nervousness but they both held hands in an act of bravery, without looking at each other.

Father began to talk about marriage, union and fidelity, until the most awaited moment came, the one where they held their breath.
"Now you may give each other your rings and say your vows." 
Fezco had thought of the right words to say to someone as special as Lexi, they would be small but sincere. 
So he took the golden ring, he turned to face each other, Lexi was wearing her veil, but her look was pure joy.

"I, Fezco O'Neill, take you Alexia Howard to be my wife, to protect you, to cherish and love you, I will be your light, with me nothing will happen to you, I will be there in sickness and in health till death do us part" she slid the ring on, and could tell that both of their hands were shaking.
Lexi took the ring from Fezco.

"I, Alexia Howard, take you Fezco O'Neill to be my husband, to love and protect you. I will be your guide, I will accompany you wherever you go, in sickness and in health, until death do us part," thus slipped Lexi. the ring on.

"Well, that being so, and by the power vested in me by God, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride." 

Fezco trembled a little, he directed his hands towards the veil, he lifted it and there was Lexi Howard in beautiful splendor, he hesitated a little, Lexi held her breath, Fezco watched Lexi's deep red lips and when he least realized it, her lips Were already on his, closing their eyes they enjoyed the small moment.

A chaste kiss, that made them tremble in such a short time of knowing each other.

Chapter Text

After they kissed, they both looked at their families and they started clapping, Lexi's mother was sobbing, Cassie smiled kindly while Nate clapped out of commitment.
Lexi was so flushed and was also short of breath.
"He just kissed me, God" Lexi thought, at that they started to move towards, the house.
"I overdid it he shouldn't have kissed her like that." 
Fezco thought.
●
The banquet was served, to which all the guests toasted the "happy couple."

Lexi's mother by a miracle didn't drink wine, something Lexi thanked the heavens for.
Cassie looked to her sister, for her to start the presentation, Lexi understood and grabbed Fezco's hand for his attention.
But it wasn't necessary as he was watching her, Lexi cleared her throat and began.
"Fezco, I want you to meet my sister Cassandra and her husband Nathaniel." 
Fezco offered them a friendly smile.
"It's nice to meet you, Lexi has talked a lot about you Cassandra" Fezco spoke politely, Cassie smiled in kind.
"Oh you can call me Cassie, and well Lexi hadn't told me about you, I must say it was unexpected to know that you two were together" finished Cassie, Nathaniel wanted to join the conversation as well.
"Yeah it was really weird, why?" he asked mischievously.
"Why what?" Fezco spoke with narrowed eyes.
"You know, why marry Lexi?" 
"It's kind of bad." 
"No, it's really weird."

Lexi and Cassie noticed the tension, and where the conversation was headed, the last thing they wanted was for their husbands to fight in the middle of the celebration.

"It doesn't matter, it's fine, it was just unexpected, they don't need to explain, right Nate?" clarified Cassie trying to forget the subject.
"And why not, after all, you told me yourself that maybe your sister would be an old maid." 
Lexi tensed, her husband sensed it.
"I ask you most politely not to offend the one who is now my wife." 

Nate scoffed, Fezco rose from the table dawning, and Nate followed.
The guests, stopped talking, Ash frowned, he looked at his grandmother and Mrs. Howard but they were both just as confused
"Apologize to her" Fezco demanded. 
"What exactly should I apologize for?" Nate lashed out.
"You know, for what?" 
"Oh yeah, for being an old maid, that no one wanted, I wouldn't be surprised if this marriage was arranged." 
Fezco clenched his fist, Lexi stood up as did Cassie.
"Nate, already Shut up, this is the special day for my sister, my family, so Shut up." 
Nate put on a hypocritical smile again.
"Fine, let them have their day, you and I are leaving." 
Cassie shook her head, but Nate grabbed her hard by the wrist.
Fezco was already going to do something about it but Lexi stopped him by grabbing his forearm, the man watched her and his wife was Holding back tears.

And in the blink of an eye, both Nate and Cassie were gone.

Suze had gone too, to find out what the hell happened, and to talk to both of them, they were at the entrance waiting for the wagon, Suze rushed to her daughter and grabbed her arm.

"Cassie what the fuck was that, today is supposed to be a special day for your sister" Suze mumbled, Cassie with small tears could only say.
"Nothing mother, we are leaving, Fezco and Nate are not getting along, tell Lexi I love her, and be happy I will send her a letter." 
"Cassie, get in now!" shouted Nate from a wagon, Cassie ran and got in fast, leaving her mother confused and watching her oldest daughter depart.
Suze carved her hundred, damn the time that lout messed with her daughter, I wish Mckay hadn't stepped aside.
Suze turned, and saw Lexi arrive with her.
"He's gone." 
"Yeah my girl, that Nate is such a jerk, what happened." 
"He was offending me, Fezco was defending me, that's why they started arguing, I didn't think it would go far and Cassie would leave." 
Both mother and daughter hugged and Lexi sobbed.
She felt bad that her sister was leaving, and she felt worse knowing that Nate's words were true.
●
Fezco was angry, how dare that idiot talk to his wife like that, he could see through the window, how Lexi was sobbing hugging her mother.

Ash walked over.
"What happened, did that pretty boy upset you?" 
"He offended Lexi, he put her down you fucking idiot." 
"You would have let me hit him." 
He slammed his fist into the opposite palm, heard a small chuckle, and it was Grandma approaching as she brought her trademark cigarette.

"You would have ended up in pieces, no offense Ash but that pretty boy burrs your head" she stirred the little hair he had and hugged him by the shoulder, Ash angrily replied.
"Well I'd rebab his head, who does he think he is?" 
"A person who can do whatever she wants, well she told me that Nate was a disgrace to her daughter" Marie said, while she looked out the window.
"You did well to defend her, no one messes with those who are part of this family, keep it up Fez" Marie said again, she looked at Fez again and he mumbled.
"If this is how it ends badly, I can't imagine Christmas," he scoffed.
Her grandmother smiled with her cigarette in her mouth.
"Who says we're inviting them for Christmas?"
●
Suze and Lexi entered the house as they were calmer and were greeted by Marie, she walked over.

"Dear girl, I'm sorry you had to go through that" Marie said hugging Lexi, the young girl smiled at her as she pulled away. 
"Thank you, I know it was very inappropriate behavior from my sister and her husband so I apologize" she lowered her head, Fezco frowned at what Lexi said. 

"Lexi, he offended you he doesn't deserve your apologies" Fezco spoke as he took her hand, Lexi squeezed it.
"lose but I have to, it was inappropriate, I promise it won't happen again" They both looked at each other, but with that look Fezco wanted to understand why she was apologizing them, her grandmother apparently noticed and spoke.
"It's ok girl, don't worry, family is usually very difficult, but let's leave that bitter bad time and enjoy the cake." 
She motioned for them to follow her, the couple walked over to the dining room to eat the cake.

They were served the slice of cake and Lexi took a small piece on her fork, she looked at it and thought a bit about what she wanted to do.
Fezco noticed, and before he asked her what was wrong, Lexi held the fork out to him with the piece of cake, her hand was under the utensil in case the piece fell off.
"You want to try it," Lexi smiled sweetly.
Fezco was confused by the act but nodded, put his mouth to the fork, and ate the piece.
Fezco did the same act, and put it in Lexi's mouth, Lexi nodded and took it.

The two were so in sync that no, they noticed Suze and Marie's knowing smiles, while Ash rolled his eyes at the cheesiness.
●
After an afternoon full of chats and compliments towards the couple, and leaving aside what happened with Nate, everything was relatively perfect, that's how Lexi liked it, small and cozy moments.

On the other hand Fez felt the same way, he didn't like the extravagance, this was fine, maybe Lexi deserved more but she didn't complain, she told him she was comfortable, what had Fez a little nervous as time went on was that he would see this woman every day, starting today.

But he thought they had both talked, and knew each other a little, maybe she wouldn't do so bad, the only thing he didn't trust was her shyness, that damn thing followed her around like a bad disease.

The guests began to leave one by one, until they arrived with Suze, his wife's mother hugged her tightly and sobbed.
"Promise to write me just to know that you are well, my child." 
"I will mother, go easy, I'll be fine, but you promise not to drink so much in my absence." 
Suze sniffled and nodded.
"I will for you my dear" she touched her cheek, and looked at Fezco.
"I leave her in your hands Fezco" 
"She's fine, ma'am, be careful." 
The lady smiled and went to Fezco and hugged him.
"Take good care of her." 
As they parted, Suze kissed the cheek of both her son-in-law and daughter and left.
"Oh your things will start arriving within the week, stay tuned Lexi." 
"Yes mother thank you."

Marie and Suze said their goodbyes.
"I'll take care of her." 
"It's in very good hands." 
"Lose, thank you, goodbye Little Ashton." 
Ash just nodded and with that Suze left.

Lexi took a deep breath and looked at Fez, apparently Fezco understood from what would happen in the night, but the truth was just Fez's imagination since Lexi wasn't thinking about being intimate with him.

"Okay, ah I'll take these shits off, Ash if a good grandson and bring me my cigarettes I left in the kitchen, and bring them up to my room" Fez's grandmother exclaimed, as she took off her slippers and started up the stairs.
Lexi smiled, Fez shook her head, Ash grunted and went after them.
"Have a good night darlings, and Lexi remember this is your home feel comfortable to do whatever you want." 
"Yes thank you for your kindness Mrs. Marie." 
"Kindness?, that's your right daughter, good night." 
"Good night" Fezco and Lexi spoke in unison.

The young man took his wife's hand, and guided her, to the stairs, they were too quiet, they walked to one of the doors and Fezco opened it, Lexi was blushing.
"This will be your room."
"Oh, yes thank you." 
She nodded apologetically.

"I didn't thank you for standing up for me, I know Nate can be very "talkative", you didn't have to" the young woman spoke, Fezco just contemplated her, he didn't want her to apologize for that idiot he didn't deserve it. 

"I will keep doing it Lexi, I will defend you not only because I am your husband but because I really appreciate you and I don't want anyone to say things that could offend you."
He touched Lexi's cheek and she shivered a little, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Have a good night." 
"You too, get some rest" Lexi likewise leaned over and kissed her husband's cheek.
"Thanks for everything, it was nice" whispered the young woman, Fezco smiled.
"Anything for you" he kissed her forehead at the end and went to his room.

Lexi went into her new room, she unbuttoned her dress to her Corset and underwear, she walked over to the couch where she found a sleeping robe.
She took it off and took off the corset and felt a relief, that thing almost didn't let her breathe properly, she put the slippers aside and lay down on her new bed.

She was married to a man who in such a short time enchanted her, she hoped that he would also in time be enchanted by her, even if inside her, like a little secret, deep down she wanted them to have their wedding night, but only she would know that.

As Fezco finished changing, he regretted deep down not having her near him in his bed.

Chapter Text

"Good morning" someone said, but Lexi was too far away to know whose voice it was.
"Mrs. O'Neill wake up" someone spoke to her again, Lexi would have her eyes slowly and there stood a young blonde, she slowly rose to sit up, yawned and politely spoke to the maid.
"Oh hello, who are you if I may ask?" 
"Hello ma'am, I'm Faye and I'm part of the house servant, we hadn't met because I had, some problems but I'm here for whatever you need" Faye answered her with a smile.
"Thank you very much, you can call me Lexi and I hope your problem has been solved." 
"Oh thank you yes it is solved, well Mrs. O'Neill, she asked me to give this to you." 
She picked up a dress that was on the couch.
"She says it's what her things arrive in." 
"It's very pretty, I'll thank her." 
"I'll help her put it on." 
Lexi took her underwear, while Faye prepared the dress, she put it on her head, Lexi arranged her arms in the sleeves.
"Amm..yes thank you, have you heard from my husband?" she asked nervously, Faye was fixing the bow on her back so it would fit snugly.
"Yes, he went out this morning" she replied, 
Lexi was confused. 
"Going out..." 
Faye nodded, Lexi had a downcast look on her face.
"Yes, well sir went out I think to attend to some business, he had a quick breakfast and left along with young Ashton." 
"Then I'll...have breakfast alone, no Mrs. O'Neill?" I ask.
"Mrs. O'Neill is out anyway, I'm sorry." 
Lexi sighed dejectedly, she hadn't expected her now husband to leave without saying goodbye.
"It's okay, I'm used to it," she gave him a small smile, but Feye could see the disappointment in her.
●
"Wait, don't tell Lexi we're coming to do business, bro, I know you're supposed to tell her, she's your wife," Ash scolded while they were waiting for the client to talk to his partners.
Fezco was shaking his leg in nervousness, not because of the client but because of how Lexi would react to not seeing him at home on their first day as husband and wife.
"I know I did it wrong, but I didn't want to get her up so early, I told Faye to let her know." 
"Faye, she's going to be your maid?" 
"Yes, I've asked her I trust her." 
"Fine but I'm telling you, I hope Lexi wasn't mad at you for not letting her know where you were going, she'll suspect things and the last thing we want, rather the last thing I want is to hear arguments."
Fezco was about to answer but at that moment the client told them to go to his office.
Ash and Fezco went in but obviously the latter was over thinking.
As he had always been wrong to leave her alone, Fezco still hadn't learned to recognize that someone else was there for him.
●
Lexi felt a pang in her chest as she ate breakfast alone, there was no one in the dining room, it reminded her of home when Cassie wasn't there, when her mother was so drunk, she would make her own breakfast and no one was there for her.

She had to be strong and not let that feeling get the best of her, but as she had always been sentimental, little tears came, but she wiped them away quickly as they ate their breakfast.

After finishing her breakfast , she didn't know what to do, so she went for a walk, until she heard some people talking downstairs and coming up the stairs.
"Maybe it's Fezco?" Lexi thought and turned only to see a young man with brown hair, long and well dressed, he was carrying a briefcase.
They both looked at each other to better recognize each other.
"Ethan?" 
"Lexi?"
●
Fezco and Ash arrived at the house, a part of Fezco expected Lexi to be there but instead there was Faye cleaning the chimney, she greeted them.

"Ash your tutor is here, he's upstairs in the library with Ms. Lexi" she spoke calmly as she went back to her homework.
Ash frowned, and Fez was red.
"Why is she with my tutor, aren't you supposed to be taking care of her from you know other men." 
"Oh,well Mrs. Lexi seemed to know him and had no problems, besides she's married I don't think she would do anything "improper"" he emphasized the last, Fezco and Ash looked at each other, they walked quickly towards the stairs.

Reminder for Fez not to trust Faye, he could hear there was a lively conversation going on, Ash knocked on the door which was between open, it opened wider revealing Ethan Lewis.
"Oh Ash I thought you weren't coming" the professor greeted.
Lexi got up from the couch, and greeted as well.
"Fezco, good morning" Ethan greeted Fez kindly.
"Good morning" he said coldly, he looked at Lexi and Lexi approached him, took his hand, and the young man was surprised but at the same time calm, maybe Lexi was telling him that she was only for him.
"We are leaving so Ash can take his classes, it was nice to see you Ethan, see you later." 
"Likewise Miss Howard" he bowed to see her off, Ash was confused at the familiarity with which they spoke, he looked at his brother who was equally confused.
Lexi and Fezco walked away holding hands.
"I didn't know you knew Ethan Lewis" Fezco spoke a little harshly, he stroked his thumb up and down, Lexi as a nervousness.
"Yes, he was the fiancé of one of my sister's friends" Lexi stated.
"I see" they were silent as they went to head to the garden, they sat on the grass, it was all so damn quiet.
"Lexi, I'm sorry I left you alone, some urgent business came up and we had to go."
"I understand Fez, you have responsibilities, but if I would have liked you to warn me and not others, we can do that, talk to us when there is a problem that you have". 

"Sure, yes, it's just that I didn't want to bother you." 
"You don't bother me, after all I want to know about you, where are you going, of course if that doesn't matter to you, my lord." 
"God, why do I feel good that he addresses me as my lord" thought Fez.
"I don't mind, after today I will tell you where I am going, it's just that I am so used to not saying anything to anyone, but forgive me." 
"You are forgiven" he smiled.
"Yes, and amm...what were you and Professor Lewis talking about?" 
"Oh that he was surprised that I married you, and that we haven't seen each other for a long time." 
"I understand,Ash says that Lewis is very talkative." 
"Yes, I think we share that"
"What do you mean" Fezco said quizzically, a twinge of jealousy was peeking out of his eyes, Lexi noticed it and became nervous again.
"Oh well,it's something I noticed,the few times I saw him were pleasant and he always shared interesting facts,I saw him as a good friend" 

Fezco nodded, another reminder she had to make tell Ash that his classes would be at that teacher's house.

"Fezco" 
"Yes." 
"You read?" 
"Sometimes, the last book I read was Frankestain."
"Ah really?" I ask in amazement. 

"Yes, you've already read it." 

"Yes, it's one of my favorite books, I know it's nothing compared to the romance novels I read but I liked that it was something different you know, something that maybe I wasn't used to reading and it just captivated me, I remember that book was given to me by my father on my birthday" she fell at the last.

"Let's look on the bright side, at least he gave you something different, and you liked it that was a good memory to keep." 
"Yeah, I hadn't looked at it that way." 
"You hold on to the good memories, not the bitter ones those no one wants." 
Lexi gave a small laugh.
"He's right, what's your memory that you know was nice?" 
"I think it was when I knew how to ride a horse, I was really proud of that, and it was funny because just when my grandma came to see me, I fell off" 
"No, it must have been very disastrous, poor you." 
"Yes the most discouraging thing was when she came up to me, looked at me and said good try kid." 
They both started laughing, not realizing that they were so comfortable with each other again, maybe it was wrong at the beginning to leave her alone but Fezco would not do it again, besides he would soon do more for her.
● 
"So you know my teacher?" 
Ash spoke at dinner, their grandmother frowned.
"You know Professor Lewis?" Marie asked.
"Yes, as I told Fezco he was the fiancé of one of my sister's friends, Katherine" Lexi explained as she sipped from her spoon.
"Mmm...and why didn't they stay together anymore?" 
Lexi shook her head,
"I think Katherine wasn't very comfortable with him, but he was always respectful and attentive, I don't know maybe they just didn't get along after all." 
"Well wow what a small world" Marie replied.
"And mmmm...you get along with him?" Ash asked now.
"Yes, he's a good friend, good acquaintance". 
"I see, well he's a good teacher and all." 
"I'm glad."
●
"Ash from now on you will go to Ethan Lewis' house, I will notify him tomorrow that you are going" spoke his grandmother while Lexi was taking a bath, Fezco looked at his grandmother, wow apparently he wasn't the only one who had thought of that decision.

"Wow that was quick, I thought we would be more discreet" commented Ash.
"I don't give a damn about discretion Fezco, what did you think about what Lexi said." 

"Grandma I think it's incense to do that." 
"Really,so you're going to let that teacher and your young beautiful wife I don't know maybe converse,see each other every day,get along,and in one of those,we look like fools believing that young Lexi has good morals." 
"I don't think that's the case, I'll give the benefit of the doubt, I trust her" even though inside Fezco knew that any slightest interaction between Ethan and Lexi would kill him, but he had to be strong and not let his jealousy get the better of him. 

His grandmother looked at Ash he shrugged his shoulders.
"Fine but you better hope something doesn't happen out of jealousy, I don't want it to end in tragedy." 
"And it won't." 
She got up from the couch and went to Lexi's room.
"How much do you bet he'll be jealous, and he'll regret his decision" she said watching her brother walk down the stairs.
"Ash I'm not an idiot, I know Fezco will be the devil take the heck out of him, but there's him." 
●
Lexi had finished bathing and was in her sleeping robe, there was a knock on the door, and she stopped brushing her hair.
"Can I come in?" asked Fezco through the door.
"Yes, just let me" she put on her comfortable shoes and opened.
"Ammm...you finished bathing." 
"Obviously imbecile" 

"Ammm yeah, I was just brushing my hair." 
"Yeah that's fine, I just came to tell you that, I'm still leaving early tomorrow, things are getting complicated with that salesman, so you might want to have breakfast with me earlier" 
"Yeah sure" Lexi exclaimed quickly, it sounded desperate, to which she looked down at the floor in sorrow.
Fezco smiled, and grabbed her chin.
"So do you want me to wake you up Faye, or do you want me to wake you up?" 
"I'd like it to be you." 
"Then it will be." 
They moved a little closer, Lexi and Fezco were about to kiss, but were interrupted by the sound of the door.
"Mrs. Lexi, may I come in, a letter has arrived for you."  
Fezco and Lexi broke apart, the young woman opened the door for her.
"Oh I'm interrupting something." 
"No, it's okay, a letter came?" 
"Yes from a Cassandra Howard" 
"Thank you, you may go" 
"You're welcome, nice evening" 
With that he left, Fezco was a little annoyed at the interruption but looked at Lexi who was opening the letter.
"What's wrong, did Nathaniel do something to your sister?" 
"No, he's just apologizing, and that for next time he'll try to come alone to visit me, it's not fair that it's like that." 
"I'm sorry your sister has to be with someone like Nate." 
"So am I, I'll write to her tomorrow" 
Fezco nodded, and turned to Lexi again.
"I want to tell you to have a good night, my lady." 
"Same to you, I'll wait until tomorrow to have breakfast together." 
"I will." 
Lexi took the decision and gave him a small kiss on the lips, Fezco opened his eyes in surprise, but closed them when he deepened it a little, they separated and were blushing.
"Goodnight." 
"Good night." 
With that Fez left, they gave each other one last look before smiling like children.
Things were coming along, just another little push to go,but at the rate they were going they were about to confess their feelings.

Chapter Text

When lexi was in his bed she kept touching her lips, she knew that kiss was out of place, maybe meaningless but to her it felt so good, her stomach feels the "butterflies" and her body trembles at the memory of it, she kissed him but he deepened it.
"It's all I ever wanted" she whispered before covering herself better with the sheets and hugging the pillow with intensity.
●
Fezco likewise was thinking about the kiss they gave each other, he had felt complete, the effect Lexi Howard had on him truly was amazing.
Inwardly he was thanking his grandmother and Mrs. Howard forbringing them together because he would really be missing out on something new, and perhaps wonderful.
●
Fezco fixed his neckband, someone knocked on his door, and he said to come in.
"Fezco, breakfast is ready" Faye spoke.
"Okay thanks, we'll be right there."
He replied, and Faye smiled at him, he left, Fezco opened the door again to go to Lexi, he hesitated a little but knocked, he heard the pass.
"Good morning Lexi" Fezco greeted as he entered.
"Good morning" she replied, even though she gave a small yawn, Fezco noticed that she was wearing the same dress he knew her in, the long light blue one.
"Am...shall we go downstairs?" Lexi asked him, Fezco nodded and reached out his hand is took it, they started walking.
●
"So...your stuff hasn't arrived yet?" asked Fezco as they ate breakfast.
"No, maybe today they will arrive I hope so otherwise I'll go home and see what's taking so long, even though I think it's because of my big book collection." 
"I see, do you read a lot lexi?" 
"Some, too much I would say, everyone said that wasn't good for me, you know being someone who has ideas and stuff like that" Lexi remembered all the times her sister told her to stop reading, to stop making comments on some subject because it bored people.
"I think it's very rude of you to say that, not many people can read and if you know how to read what better to take advantage of it." 

Lexi let out a small laugh.
"Fezco, I don't know, how do you pull it off?" 
"What things?" 
"Make my perspective change, I haven't seen it like that." 
"I'm glad I do." 
They both smiled,at that they were interrupted by a fake cough, they both turned and it was Ash.
"Good morning" spoke the young man.
"Good morning Ash, will you join us for breakfast?" asked Ash politely. 
Ash was going to refuse but his stomach had the idea to growl, eliciting small smiles from his brother and sister-in-law.
"Sit here, Ash" she motioned for him to sit next to her.
He obeyed and sat down.
"Grandma hasn't come down yet?" asked Fez.
"No, maybe she has a hangover." 
"She drank last night, why?" 
Ash shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know maybe because she wanted to." 
Fezco shook his head, his grandmother was picking up some very bad habits and he wasn't liking that, then he felt Lexi's pinky by his hand, he looked at her and gave her a warm smile.
"Is everything okay?" 
"It is" taking her hand fully, maybe Lexi was the only thing that could reassure him for now.
●
"I have to go, but I'll come by later" he opened the front door, Lexi stood behind him, her hands clasped in front of him.

"it's okay, I hope everything goes your way" she smiled at him, Fezco nodded.
"Thank you."
Ash walked over to stand next to Lexi and asked. 
"Hey Fezco, after my lessons can I show Lexi, the horses we have." 
"Oh, that would be wonderful" exclaimed Lexi happily, "I had forgotten they had horses." 

Fezco had also completely forgotten about the existence of their horses, and the other animals they had, this whole husband and wife thing plus the business not being able to come to fruition had left him blank.

"Well it's just that, um...I didn't know if you were going to like them." 
"Of course I like them, can I go with Ash?"
"Of course." 
"Okay, well I'll see you in the afternoon, good luck" she leaned over gave her husband a kiss on the cheek.
Fezco was about to do the same but was interrupted by Ethan's ringing greeting. 
"Good morning!" The professor greeted.
Fezco sighed.
"Oh good morning Ethan" greeted Lexi likewise, Fezco breathed heavily at the "familiarity" they had.

Ethan approached, and greeted Fezco.
"Good morning Fezco" followed him into the house.
"Morning, I have to go but, um...Lexi could you go check on my grandmother please." 
"Yeah sure, I'll go check on her, don't worry." 

With that Fezco left, and Lexi went back to the house, she watched as Ash along with Ethan went to the library, then she went to Fezco's grandmother's room.
She knocked on the door and heard a very faint pass, Lexi opened the door, she walked into the room.

Mrs. Marie was lying on the bed, apparently a little weak.
"Mrs. Marie, it's Lexi, are you okay?" 
"Lexi, is Fezco with you?" 
"He went out, because yesterday's thing didn't go the way he wanted it to, but we had breakfast together." 
"I'm glad, come docate" the lady told her to sit on the foot of the bed.
"Madam you are well, do you need anything, ask me and I will gladly attend you". 
"Hum...so helpful, my dear Lexi, I'm not feeling very well actually, I..." There was such a tense silence, Lexi noticed Marie's tears.
"Ma'am..."
"I coughed blood Lexi."
Lexi was in Shock, Marie started to shed a tear, but then started to laugh.

"I guess I brought this on myself didn't I."

"Don't say that, that's why I don't come down for breakfast." 

"Yes, but it was so sudden yesterday I was fine and all of a sudden I felt a big itch itching my throat burning, suddenly I coughed into my hand and there was blood, I contemplated it it was like a reality check" 
"Mrs. Marie, I'm sorry..." 
"Don't show up daughter, I don't know how to tell Fezco, but promise me that this will be our secret, I'll go see the doctor, even though I think my chances of getting better look very far away." 
"You mean because you coughed up too much blood?" 

The lady nodded, and Lexi hugged her, Marie was surprised but clung to her and sobbed.
Lexi couldn't believe that someone like Mrs. Marie was sick, she couldn't imagine Ash and Fezco's faces with the news, they would be too hurt by all of this.
"I just want, don't tell Fezco it's still okay,the last thing I want to do is worry him, besides there's you and I don't want to ruin his first beginnings of marriage." 
"Don't worry, you won't ruin anything, I'll keep it a secret, but at some point you will tell Fezco." 
The lady nodded, Lexi smiled warmly at her.
"Would you like me to help you get dressed?" 
"You don't have to, cutie." 
"But I want to, come on you must look good, and like the strong woman I know you are." 
Marie smiled she's right she has a reputation to give yet.
"Well said cutie, bring me the king blue dress in the corner, this old lady has a lot to give yet" 
Lexi nodded and quickly went for it.
●
Lexi stood pensively at the window overlooking the garden, she felt bad for Mrs. Marie, she had been very nice to her and treated her well, she hoped that at least going to the doctor would improve her condition a little.

Then she thought about Fezco how he would feel if she told him what happened he knows his grandmother and Ash are the most important thing to him, a part of her wanted to tell him but she knows that would be hurtful to Marie.
"Fezco forgive me for keeping this from you" she whispers as she leaned her head back against the window.
At that she heard the voices, coming from the library, Ash signaled for her to follow her.
"My classes are over, we can go see the horses" Ash said animatedly.
"Okay." 
"Ash remember to do your homework, okay you are failing a lot in calligraphy" spoke behind his back Ethan.
Ash rolled his eyes but Lexi grabbed his shoulder.
"If I want I can help you, will there be a problem?"
"Not at all, just that I know how to write the r and z in sentences well, that's the only thing he fails at." 
"Can we please not talk about it anymore, Lexi will help me and I'll improve the first thing." 
The teacher smiled.
"All right, all right, well I'm leaving, but please practice, I'll see you tomorrow." 
"We'll see you out" Lexi offered, Ash grunted and from there they all went down to the entrance.
Ethan said goodbye, and with that Ash took Lexi's arm to lead her to see the horses. 
"You're really excited aren't you, can you tell me why?" Lexi smiled at him as they started to walk through the large garden.
"It's just, I haven't been out for a long time and besides, I don't know, I wanted to be with you." 
"That's very sweet Ash, I want to spend time with you too." 
They both smiled, as they began to talk about trivial things as they reached the barn.
●
Fezco arrived earlier than he expected, but when he got there he saw several workers leaving trunks and boxes at the entrance.

"Lexi's stuff" he said to himself.
He walked faster, and was greeted by Faye as he told the workers to leave things upstairs.
"Oh, you're early." 
"Yeah, are Lexi and Ash still in the barn?" 
"Apparently yes because they haven't arrived yet I told them to take their things up to their room, when Mrs. Lexi arrives I'll help her settle in, but there are a lot of books." 
Fezco smiled at that, its cute as books, the workers told them there were no more valuables, Fezco thanked them and tipped them, but then thought about Lexi's cats, they would have to go get them right away, they sure missed her.

"well I'll go upstairs and see how they arranged their things, so they won't be in the way so much, you tell her I'm upstairs." 
Faye nodded, fezco went upstairs opened the door and saw everything in disarray, she sighed and made the boxes more comfortable so she would have room.
She was going to put a small notebook in the box, she put the box where she wanted it and took the notebook.

He saw the cover, it was made of leather with a giant A in cursive, it had a clasp to close it, curiosity killed Fezco and he opened it, on the first page there was nothing, he turned to the next one.

Dear Diary...
My name is Alexia Howard, I'm 14 years old and you were a gift from my father, he told me to write here whatever I want, the ideas I wanted to capture or maybe my day to day so that when I grow up I have memories captured in something, so I can do what I want, my dad was very considerate with this gift, I love him very much, and I thank him infinitely for giving you as a gift, for the moment that's all, maybe tomorrow I'll write more.

Fezco stopped reading, looked at both sides of the room, went to the door and locked it, put the notebook on his chest, this was wrong, reading something as personal as Lexi's diary was dishonest but, he wanted to know her deepest thoughts, so he sat down on the bed to read again.

No doubt he would fall more in love with his beloved Lexi Howard.

Chapter Text

Fezco flipped through the first few pages, Lexi seemed like a pretty normal young woman, she talked about what she did with her mother, her sister, her father, going to school, but without a doubt what was most shocking was that Lexi knew Rue Benett.

Dear Diary...
Today Rue and I went to a tea party, with Maddie and the others, I'm glad she went with me, as Cassie's friends are usually pretty rowdy, talking about boys and flashy dresses, even though part of me would like to be popular with the boys another part tells me it's not time for that yet.
Rue and I ate all the muffins, and our stomachs hurt, I adore Rue she is my best friend.

Fezco had met Rue at a party a while back, they had fun together making fun of how pompous the guests looked, who knew she would be his wife's friend.

He kept turning the pages, but now he was finding poems between the lines, apparently he liked to write too, he talked about flowers, friendship and affection.

But it wasn't until he reached the age of 17 that everything fell apart in his life and he stopped living in happiness.

Dear Diary...

my parents argued terribly, I was so scared, the screaming went on and on, Cassie slept with me hugging me while she sobbed, I am afraid that this will happen to me someday, that love will end, and that we will be people who only see their faults...I feel so bad, sometimes I imagine life differently, my parents happy being for each other, I would like that to happen to me, to be happy with someone and not affect my future children in a negative way...

Dear Diary...
Today Cassie and I will be going as debutantes,at a party for the Mckay's,mom says this is her chance to start charming the young man of that house,I told Rue that I would go but,she said she was going to another party,from the Mackenzie's.

Fezco remembered that was the party where he and Rue met.

Apparently Cassie got what mom wanted, and Mckay was smitten by her, he asked her to dance three times in the night, he was very polite and quite attractive I could tell; as for me, well I just stayed on the couch in the back watching my sister, no one talked to me, I told my mom and she said that maybe at other dances I would get attention from someone, and maybe she was right.

Poor her girl, she hadn't gotten the attention she wanted, if maybe she had gone to the Mackenzie Party, things would have been different.

Dear Diary...
Today I had a rather nice dream, I dreamt that a faceless young man asked me to dance, I always tried to see what he looked like but never got the chance, but he was warm and welcoming, everyone looked at us and even though I was embarrassed he said I didn't have to be, it was most wonderful, but as all things must end my mother woke me up at the moment when he was telling me his name, maybe a part of me wants this to come true, I must admit I had a silly smile on my face, even Cassie asked me why I was smiling, but I didn't want to tell her because it was silly, father is acting strange, he looks paler and with dark circles under his eyes I have asked him how he is but he says not to worry he is fine, but I don't think he is.

Dear Diary...

Cassie has been acting strange, she wakes up too early in my opinion to get ready, when I wake up she is already having breakfast to leave immediately, she says she is going with Maddie but, I have seen Maddie with Kat in the street, no trace of my sister, I fear the worst and that maybe she is being "unseemly" with Mckay, I hope my suspicions are false, the last thing I want is that she will be branded as promiscuous. to see Father quite badly took several bottles of alcohol and left, I am afraid of what might come out.

Dear diary...
We went to another dance,several young men approached me and we chatted, but they only asked me about Cassie, to which I left them, and could only be sad at night; I dreamed again with a young man, we went to a picnic, he made me laugh, and told me things that I still do not remember well, he listened to me and did not tell me that I was boring, I do not know how to feel about these dreams, on the one hand it excites me but on the other hand I feel sorry for myself because only in dreams I am interesting, only in dreams someone cared, I feel silly about these dreams but it feels so good to live in them.

Dear Diary...
Father and Mother argued terribly yesterday, they both said they hated each other, hearing that I cried too much, how can you hate someone who loves you, maybe they never loved each other, Cassie is not around to hear it and I think it's better, she would cry more than me, I just took my pillow, and kept listening to the yelling the threats and the mutual hate my parents carry, I wish they were not my parents, I wish my life was different, I wish I was not in the shadows d emi sister, and I wish someday I could have peace of mind in my life.

Dear Diary...
Father left, he didn't leave a note, he didn't say goodbye to us, he didn't say anything, everything was so silent, Cassie defended him saying it was mom's fault he left, but mom claimed he wasn't ready for the responsibility of a family, I just kept watching the door all day hoping maybe he would come back but he didn't, I cried on the couch when it was 12 o'clock, he's not coming back.

Dear Diary...
Mom is more than determined to have Cassie marry Mckay she has invited him to the house, he is very polite but apparently Cassie is uncomfortable, his smiles are fake and mostly he doesn't pay attention, we are trying to get by like three abandoned women, I told Rue about what happened and she comforted me, we talked for a while, I invited her to go home but she said she would be with a Jules, but she would go later, I don't know why I have the feeling that I will be left out again.

Dear Diary...
Cassie made the worst mistake a woman can make, I feel nothing but disappointment in her, just like my mother;    Cassie got involved with Nate Jacobs, the worst man she could be with, they were found together in his rooms, with no clothes on, they immediately called my mother, I stayed at home waiting, when they arrived I could only see how red Cassie was from crying, I went to hug her believing that this idiot had taken advantage of her, but no, they both accepted that it was consensual, and now Cassie will have to marry him, this was not the end I expected for my sister, this was not what I wanted for her, Mckay must be disappointed in the same way, the one who treated her like a lady but she accepted someone else in her heart.

Dear Diary...

I am thinking a lot about the future, with what happened with Cassie and with the arrival of my aunts, apparently it is not promising, or well that is what they say, everyone whispers that I will be an old maid, and maybe I will be, there is still time, I am 18, so I think I will be fine, but if I have to arrive with a suitor, I hope he is worthy of my love that is what I want the most; even changing that my aunts say that looks and money are what matter at the moment, I have seen myself in the mirror but all I see is a girl so weak of attention, but so willing to want something.

In the future I hope to have sons and daughters, that they all have health, that they will be healthy, that they will be smiling and that maybe like me they will have beautiful dreams even though I know they can be harmful, I don't care I will support them with them.

Fezco noticed that there was still a list of names on the side.
Girls: Elizabeth, Odette, Melissa, 
Boys: Aaron, Robert, Oliver
Well, at least he already had an idea of what he would name his children, he smiled at that fact.
But she was still saddened by everything she had read before, Lexi had suffered many things, and perhaps only in her diary could she capture it, she kept turning the pages until she was at the last one.

Dear Diary... 
I have lost hope that someone will love me, I know that in these writings there was a young girl with the illusion of falling in love but maybe that is not possible... Fezco O'Neill is his name, I don't know how he is, I know I don't have to be negative but, something in me says that he will be the same as everyone, that I will be left aside... I think I won't write anymore for the moment... I hope my other life will be better in beauty and charisma, not to go through sorrows like this one."

Fezco fingered her name, apparently it was before they met, she smiled sadly, he would be better than everyone around her, he will be aware of her and love her even more, her poor Lexi didn't deserve to be left aside necita understand that he values her, and will love her for her whole life.

"Oh you guys are here how was your day?" said Faye as she greeted Lexi and Ash.
"Very good, the horses are very beautiful" Lexi replied " plus spending time with Ash was fun, wasn't it." 
The young man just nodded shyly, Faye smiled and pointed to Lexi's room.
"Fezco is already here, he's in your room arranging the boxes." 
"Okay thanks for telling me, I'll go see him" with that Lexi started up the stairs, she walked up to the door, she tried to open it but it was locked.

She knocked on the door, "Fezco, I'm Lexi I think the door is stuck" she said from the other side, Fezco knowing that Lexi was nearby, closed the diary and left it in one of the boxes, as if she hadn't taken it, she went over and opened the door.

"Yeah sorry, I didn't know I left the box near the door" lied the redhead, Lexi smiled at him.
"It's okay, all my stuff is here" she walked into the room, Fezco was behind her watching her every move.
"It'll be a matter of you finding out if everything is there, although I think something is missing" Lexi turned around to see him.
"Oh yeah, like what?" she asked.
"Mmm...I don't know, some little kittens I saw a while ago." 
Lexi was surprised.
"My kids, Frankie,Mel and Oliver, o poor things how could I forget them, we can go get them tomorrow" she spoke mortified, Fezco chuckled underneath.
"Sure, ammm Lexi" 
"Yeah." 
"I missed you" 
The girl frowned.
"That's not true" 
"Why would I lie, you're the best person I've ever met, I'm glad we got married." 
"Fezco, stop it, don't say that." 
The girl blushed.
"Well, it's a truth." 
He walked up to her, grabbed her around the waist, something Lexi didn't expect and kissed her deeply, for Fez it was a secret pact to love Lexi to never treat her like the others and also that he was ultimately in love with this woman , while for Lexi there was no doubt she was in love with Fezco.

Chapter Text

Lexi was blushing from the kiss Fezco gave her, for some reason he felt different, more desirous, yearning for more, and the truth is that they didn't stop, he held her firmly by the waist, while she put her hands on the sides of his face, caressing his beard with her thumb.

They broke apart for air, and bumped foreheads.

"Lexi." 

"Yes." 

"I, I want us to sleep together." 

"Fezco" she blushed at the statement but the truth was she wanted it anyway.

"We won't do anything improper at the moment but, I want to be with you" he explained hesitantly, Lexi looked at him.

"You really want that?" 

"Yes, do you want it too, or can we wait?" 

"Yes I do." 

And he kissed her again, with intensity Lexi sighed.

"He wants you, he wants to be with you." 

●

Fezco wasn't kidding, and asked to move Lexi's things into his room.

Faye approached Lexi, as she helped her arrange her things.

"So...you and Fezco are okay?" 

"Sure, I don't think I've ever felt like this before, it's too good to be true." 

"That's nice, I'm happy for you guys" she held out a dress for her to arrange in the closet, Lexi accepted it. 

"Thanks for helping me Faye" 

"It's my job, but...you don't have to answer but you and Fezco are going to do you know, babies?" 

Lexi's face turned red.

"I don't think so yet, but I must have tissues because my days are about to come, I'm feeling the discomforts" she said changing the subject and forcing her belly.

"I'll get them for you if you want and I'll start giving you hot tea." 

"That would be very kind thank you." 

●

Ash was going to see his grandmother, but he heard her coughing loudly, which worried the young man, so he went in without knocking on the door.

For him it would be the worst decision of his short life because he saw his grandmother with blood on her hand.

His grandmother was surprised at Ash, and they were silent.

Fezco was heading to check on his grandmother and Ash but began to hear an argument, in her room.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US ANYTHING, GRANDMA WHY?" spoke Ash angrily, for the first time Fezco was seeing his brother reveal in words what he felt.

"ASH DON'T LIFT MY VOICE" demanded his grandmother.

"What's going on?" annoyed Fez asked coming in.

Grandma looked bad, and upset.

"Grandma is sick, I saw her coughing up blood" Ash spoke as he approached Fezco.

Fezco was shocked, he looked at his grandmother for confirmation but she avoided his gaze, and with that act he knew it was true.

"Grandma, why didn't you tell us since when do you know this since when do you feel this way?" Fezco demanded angrily.

"I, I've known since yesterday." 

"Yesterday?" 

"Yeah when you left early, I coughed up blood, and the only one I told was Lexi." 

Fezco clenched his fists, not because Lexi hadn't told him, but because he didn't want her to suffer anymore.

"Grandma, why?" 

"I didn't want her to know, but now Ash found out about me and I'm so sorry." 

And for the first time, in years Fezco saw his grandmother cry.

He walked over, and hugged her, Ash stood still as he heard a sob from his older brother, and for the young man his eyes began to sting.

Fezco buried his face in his grandmother's neck.

"Is there anything we can do, have you been to the doctor yet?" 

"Yes my boy, and the truth is not good news." 

Fezco broke away from his grandmother, and she wiped away the tears her grandson had.

"It's too late." 

"I'm afraid so" 

"Don't say that, you must fight grandmother" Ash shouted out of nowhere.

Fezco turned to see him, and he was furious, his breathing was heavy, he saw fear in his eyes.

"Ash brother" 

"I don't want you to die, I flatly refuse, we're going to help you and you're going to be fine." 

"Ash, kid I know it's hard, but..." 

"I don't want to listen to you, I don't want this!" 

Furious Ash stormed out of there, Marie just sobbed even more.

"It's my fault Fez, I smoked too much, it's my fault." 

"Grandma don't say that, it wasn't your fault it's okay" said her grandson as he hugged her again.

"Bring me Ash you should have seen his face, his fear, I won't get him out of my head, my strong boy I hurt him". 

"It's okay grandma, I'll try to talk to him and tomorrow we'll go to the doctor, maybe it won't be too late." 

Marie took her grandson's face.

"Fez, it's too late now, I'm sorry honey." 

Fezco cried even harder again.

"Don't say that, Don't tell me that grandma". 

"I'm sorry, that's why I wanted you to get married Fezco, so you wouldn't be alone...and have someone to share your life with." 

"And I'm grateful for that decision because I, I love Lexi." 

Marie smiled at that fact.

"I knew it, and I'm happy for that, you deserve to be Happy Fezco" 

Fezco didn't say anything anymore, it looked like they were already saying goodbye, but he refused still no.

"They told you how long" 

"It is not yet known with certainty " 

"It cannot be, Grandma" 

"I'm sorry." 

And so they stayed for a while Hugging ,without saying anything but they felt each other's tears.

●

Lexi was closing Fezco's room, Faye had already left to do other activities, when she saw Ash slam the door and go into his room.
Lexi frowned and went to rush over.
"Ash are you okay?" she knocked on the door, but he didn't answer.
"Ash it's Lexi, please can we talk something happened?" Lexi asked again as she knocked.
"Go away Lexi, I don't want to talk to anyone."
"It's okay, but remember I'm here, and you can talk to me." 

She stood still, watching the knob move, watching Ash as he was red in the eyes.
"Come in." 
Lexi stepped into her room and walked to the foot of the bed to sit down.
Ash followed her, sitting down next to her.

They stood in silence for a while, until Ash began to sob.
"Ash" Lexi whispered.
"You knew grandma was going to die?" he asked between cuts.
Lexi was in Shock, but then she hugged Ash.
"Yes, I knew yesterday, I'm so sorry." 
"It's just that she can't go, I don't want her to go." 
"I know Ash, I know you're angry, you're scared and you feel sad,it's okay to show these feelings, but it should also be strong, you're too young to experience this but, I'm here with you and I also feel faith, you're not alone you won't be anymore."

Ash looked at Lexi, wiped his eyes and nodded.
The young girl hugged Ash, at that they heard the door open.
Leaving to see a misaligned and very sad Fezco.

"Lexi." 
"It's okay, come on" she patted the empty space but it instead stood on Lexi's legs, and hugged them.
Lexi didn't expect that but let it go, she put her hand on Fezco's back and slid it up and down.

Fezco shed tears on Lexi's dress, while Ash was just silent, Lexi couldn't hold it in either and started crying as well.

"I'm so sorry, you guys don't deserve this, Marie doesn't deserve this." 

●

After an afternoon full of tears and pain, Fez, Ash and Lexi were together in the lobby.

Grandma came down the stairs, a little weak and Fezco helped her get there.

"Thank you" she smiled "now I need to be honest with you, I know today was very hard for everyone, finding out about this was so scary, but I don't want anything to change, I don't want you to be taking care of me all the time, only when you start to notice I'm weak then you can act, not before." 

Ash was holding Lexi's hand tightly, the girl felt it as a sign that she didn't want to cry.

"Carry on with your normal activities, the clock is ticking and it doesn't stop, Fezco I want you to stay in charge of the business, but now you are the boss in its entirety" 

"Grandma"

"Hush I'm talking" she dropped it with her palm,Fezco nodded "Ash,you will continue to take your classes as normal, but that I do tell you apparently I think Ethan will be will be new teacher at the village school, so if it comes to pass you will go to school with him." 

Ash frowned and nodded.

"Lexi, I want you to take good care of these two, this is your home, I love you very much girl and that if I warn you Fezco any stupid things that come to pass and I am no longer around, you leave and Lexi stays in this house." 

"Mrs. Marie, don't say that Fezco would be incapable of doing something like that." 

"I know, but sometimes men are so unpredictable" Marie consoled Lexi, but Fezco shook his head.

"Grandma, I swear I won't do that." 

"You better not, then it's all understood." 

"Yeah" they all said in unison.

"Well that's the way I like it, now we can eat something, I'm starving." 

He said as normally as possible, as he went to the dining room.

"Is it still the same as always?" asked Ash to Fezco.

"Oddly enough brother I think so, but if she's taking it that way, there's nothing we can do." 

"Fezco,Lexi, I'm scared" Ash whispered.

Lexi gave him a kiss on the hundred, while Fezco grabbed his shoulder.

"Everything will be okay Ash don't be afraid, we're here" said Fez.

"You relax Ash, don't think too much about this, like your grandmother said concentrate on your studies." 

"What will happen next?"

"We'll see about that, but don't worry". 

The children nodded, and they heard their grandmother call them.

"Are you going to leave me here alone eating, or are you coming?" 

"We're coming" Fez shouted.

●

After dinner in a familiar way, with no worries about what was going to happen over time everything was pleasantly quiet,

Lexi put on her robe to go to sleep, and Fezco was waiting for her to go to bed.

Fezco approached her, not expecting that their first night sleeping together would be any different.

Lexi made herself a light braid and lay down next to Fezco.

"How are you feeling?" She said as she took his hand.

"So confused,So different, I didn't expect this the truth." 

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, your grandmother said she didn't want to ruin our newly marriage just because of her illness, but I told her it wasn't true, don't say that, you're upset because I didn't tell you." 

Fezco shook his head.

"No, I just don't want you to go through this." 

"Go through what?" 

"All this stuff about her leaving, about us having to take care of her and..." 

"Fezco, I will never feel that, I know what it's like to take care of someone, and the truth is it won't even be a burden, on the contrary, I would feel bad if I didn't help with something, your grandmother was wonderful to me, so it will never be a burden." 

"Thank you Lexi" Fezco smiled shyly at her, Lexi touched her cheek with her other hand.

"Of what, it's the truth, but we'll have to help Ash too, he's too young to experience all this."

"That worries me too, I haven't seen him so sad and expressive before." 

"You must let him be, but we must be there for him too". 

"Yes, that boy is going to need us." 

They were silent, Fezco made himself comfortable on the bed, and as if they were connected Fezco grabbed her waist to pull her closer and Lexi put her hand on Fezco's chest.

"I'm glad you're here Lexi."

"Me too, I'm glad to be here." 

They looked at each other, and gave each other a short kiss.

"Goodnight Lexi" 

"Goodnight Fezco." 

But at that Fezco began to sob, and Lexi changed position, they embraced, Fezco hid in the young woman's neck and clung to her robe.

The night was long for Lexi and Fezco but it didn't matter, because they loved each other in such a short time, they were going to be strong for each other.

Chapter Text

Things began to take their course, Fezco was going to the business, while Ash was still taking his classes with Ethan at home, Lexi also helped him in some difficulty during the day, she was very smart with numbers so she was a great help, as well as writing receipts, both were able to bring the kittens, they adapted very well to their new home, Ash was fascinated with them, they were a very good distraction, Frankie became fond of the boy and was already sleeping in his room.

Lexi on the other hand was also keeping an eye on Mrs. Marie, as they were starting to have setbacks, sometimes she would cough a lot, sometimes not at all, and then she would stay in bed, Lexi always kept her company, to which Marie told her it wasn't necessary.
"Lexi you don't have to do this" she said as she settled into bed, AND Lexi sat next to her.
"Mistress Marie I want to do it, I don't mind."
"But you should, I don't know how to do other things."
"I don't know what things to do; but I may as well help you" 
"Thank you child" 
"You're welcome" 

Fezco and Lexi had improved their relationship but they still didn't tell each other they loved each other or a I love you, they were both too shy to say it, but every day they fell in love with each other's actions.

Fezco always woke her up so they could have breakfast together, Lexi always helped him get ready, they greeted each other with a hug, they held hands, they went with Ash for a walk around the stables, Lexi always read a book before bed, and Fezco asked her to read it to him, he would fall asleep listening to Lexi's voice telling the story he had in his hands.

Until, a small incident happened that Lexi had already foreseen, it all happened when Fezco woke up and noticed a stain, he frowned, raised his brow a little more, and got scared.

"Lexi" he whispered to her, moving his shoulder a little, the girl turned and smiled at him, but then felt that distinct feeling in her body.
She looked down and noticed the red spot on the bed, she blushed furiously.
"Lexi, is it okay, why are you bleeding?" 
And with that comment Lexi blushed even more.
"You don't know why this is happening?" 
Fezco shook his head.
"I, excuse me I need to go to the bathroom and then I'll explain it's ok" She quickly got up from the bed, as she started to go to the bathroom, but Fezco stopped her by grabbing her wrist.
"But are you ok, don't you want to call the doctor?" 
"No, it's something normal calm down." 
"You having blood coming out is normal, I don't think so, are you really ok?" 
"Yes I am, don't worry, but can you call Faye please?"
"Sure, then you'll be fine, won't you, you're not lying to me?" 
"I assure you Fezco if something happened to me I would tell you immediately, relax" he went and gave her a kiss on the cheek, he headed to the bathroom quickly.

Fezco was confused, he called Faye and she was normal and even said....

"Oh yeah, she told me she was coming" she said while she was picking up tissues, Fezco was so confused with this situation, both Faye and Leix were normal, while he appeared calm but inside he was worried that they were lying to him, he didn't want anything to happen to Lexi, and with the grandmother thing he felt worse.

"You look worried what's wrong, is she having pains?" asked Faye as she stopped next to Fezco, he became confused again.
"Pains?, she didn't tell me that, they are very strong." 
"They are usually unbearable but relax,with a tea she will feel better,but I think you should know that by now."
"Actually I don't know, she told me she was going to explain to me why she was bleeding." 

Faye stopped, and looked at him quizzically.
"Wait, you don't know what's happening to she?" 
Fezco grunted and said no, Faye blushed just like Lexi.
"Well then I gave you too much information, let her explain then, I'm going to give this to her and make tea." 
She left immediately Faye, Fezco just knew that a person in this house wouldn't be beat around the bush so he went to see his grandmother.

So he went to her, he knocked on the door and heard her come in, Fezco saw how his grandmother was with one of Lexi's cats, petting she was normal but he knows inside she is torn.
"Fezco, what's wrong?" He asked his grandmother knew him too well.
"How are you grandma?" 
"You know sometimes it comes and goes but I haven't been knocked down yet." 

Fezco smiled sideways.

"Something's going on Fezco?" 

"How do you know?"
"I know you very well dear, but tell me is it me you're worried about or did something happen with Lexi?" 
"It's Lexi, she's bleeding today." 
Fezco's grandmother was startled her look changed.
"Oh god, I must have infected her tell me is she ok she needs something" taking her grandson's hand, Fezco shook his head.
"No, well I don't know, she says she's fine, but she's not bleeding like you, it's down her legs" he said sorrowfully the last, his grandmother went blank until she sighed in relief.
"Oh so she's fine then, you had me scared, I thought I had infected her or something, but my poor girl must be in pain." 

"Why do they all say that, why would she be in pain, I told her to call a doctor but she refuses." 
"Oh Fez, well I don't know if I should tell you." 
"That's why she came here, I know you'll tell me the truth, and you won't beat around the bush, tell me what's wrong, I don't want anything to happen to Lexi." 

"And it won't happen to her believe me, if you call a doctor they won't tell you much, look this is something that happens only to women okay, it's a sign that a baby hasn't been conceived, the body reacts to there not being a baby so we get blood."
He explained in a calm manner while analyzing Fezco's face, Fezco went blank.

"So, you're telling me that women bleed because there is no baby?" 
"That's the conclusion we've all come to, but if that's the reason Lexi is bleeding, it will happen every month and can last for a few days." 
"That's just it then" 
"Yeah." 

"She'll be fine then" she repeated again, her grandmother sighed and replied.
"If she'll be fine then" 
"Then why would she feel those aches and pains you say" 
"Because for some reason our body, women's body has that specific pain I guess it's because of the blood flowing, but you don't know very well, besides with a tea you can calm it down."

They were silent for a while as Fezco analyzed the information Lexi was bleeding why she didn't have a baby who knew.

"And if Lexi has a baby, she won't bleed anymore?" 

"No she won't bleed anymore, but I hope you don't want to make a baby now." 

Fezco now blushed, and shook his head, his grandmother smiled at him.
"I wouldn't mind seeing a baby around here,see part of your legacy Fezco, maybe I didn't get to see them all but..." 
"Don't say that, I don't want to hear it, you're going to see them I know you will." 

Her grandmother sighed,and said nothing anymore.
"You should go see Lexi, maybe she is already clean, but one thing,if you tell Ash what is going on you will traumatize him for life, just tell him that Lexi caught a cold" Threatened as always grandma, Fezco nodded and gave her a kiss on the hundred.
"Thanks grandma, I'll go see her" 
"Yeah, Relax she's fine." 

Fezco left, and went to his room.
Lexi sitting on the couch while drinking tea, Fezco sat next to her, while Lexi still wouldn't look him in the eyes.
"So, do you want me to explain why I'm like this, Faye said you were worried?"
"Yes, I am, I've never seen a situation like this before." 
"I'm sorry, I should have told you but it's just that it's a sensitive subject." 

"Don't worry, it's over and we're here, so you'll tell me." 
Fezco wanted to know what Lexi knew about this strange condition.
"Well you see it's something that happens only to women who haven't had babies yet, many doctors say that if you had the bleeding before 15 it meant you were sick but my mom says that's just a silly excuse to make us feel bad about ourselves about this condition when we are little; well the point is that this will keep happening to me month after month, as long as we don't have you know, intimacy, but as I tell you again it's normal as long as it doesn't come out in a few days it will pass normal." 

Fezco nodded, and Lexi smiled at him.
"I know it must be uncomfortable for you but well you're my husband and incidents like that can happen." 
"It's not uncomfortable, it's just very new to me, I never knew about this, I'm sorry I'm ignorant." 

"You're not ignorant Fezco, but it's nice that you cared, you care about me Fezco?" 
"Too much, you're my family, my wife, I don't want anything to happen to you, not to you."

Lexi gave him a small kiss on the lips.
"I still worry about you Fezco." 
Fezco moved closer, their breaths coming together but they were greeted by an Ash who opened the door loudly interrupting the moment already built.

"Lexi, your cat scratched my arm" exclaimed the teenager angrily as he carried the kitty and put it on the ground.

"Oh now he is my cat, but yesterday he was yours" Lexi replied playfully, the young man just sighed.
"Well he hurt me." 
"Frankie tends to get a little, irritating" Frankie walked over and stood in between Fezco and Lexi.
"I noticed, is something wrong?" The boy asked, seeing that there were a lot of tissues still next to his sister-in-law.
"No, I just." 
She was interrupted by Fezco.
"Lexi has a little cold so she won't be going out for the week." 
"Too bad, I hope you get better, well I'm coming to drop this off" He pulled out a letter from his bag and handed it to Lexi, she thanked him, as he walked away leaving them alone.

"Maybe it's my sister" He spoke animatedly.
He turned the letter to see the sender and was surprised.
"It's from Rue" he whispered, Fezco looked at the sender.
"A letter from Rue Benett?" he asked quizzically.
"You know her?" 
"Yes, I do, she was a friend of mine." 
"Oh she never told me about that." 
Lexi opened the letter, and began....

Dear Lexi...

I know we haven't talked much, and the truth is you don't know how bad I felt about that, I know there are so many things to tell you but what surprised me and the reason for my letter is that you married Fezco O'Neill, I had no idea that you and he knew each other, the truth is that I would have liked to see him; But I have good news anyway, maybe we could see each other since Jules is having a party so I will ask him to send you an invitation to see you both, I really have a lot to tell you, I would like to see you and Fezco, I hope you can attend.

Love, Rue Bennett.

Lexi looked at the letter sadly, to which Fezco noticed and stroked her cheek.
"What's wrong Lexi?"
"I didn't think Rue would miss me." 
"Why would you say that, she's your friend." 
"A last she wasn't, she left me, she didn't say goodbye, she didn't send me letters, this is the first letter she's sent me after so long, I don't know how to feel about it." 

"She left without saying goodbye? Where to?" Fezco had lost contact with Rue but that was due to a disagreement between the two of them, they never got to apologize but apparently Rue didn't just walk away from him.
Lexi lifted her shoulders.
"I don't know, she just left and I went looking for her, she was gone,now she knows we're married, she knows you, she wants to see us but...I don't know what to say to her, what would you say to a person you haven't seen in so long but at the same time she left you without knowing anything?" 

Fezco grimaced, Lexi waited for his answer, he always had something to say when faced with difficult situations.

"You give me a hard time dear, I think I would tell him it's good to see you again, and I would let my heart tell me what I would say to that person." 
"What if my heart stays silent, what if I don't say anything?" 
"Then it will stay that way, you don't have to answer, just stay that way, and maybe with a little more time you can say I miss you again, why did you do it right?" 
"A lot, I really needed a friend." 
"I know, but it can be fixed, and if it doesn't well I'm here for you to get it off your chest." 
"Thanks Fezco" they smiled at each other, Lexi liked how Fezco gave his point of view and how he made her realize a new perspective, she loved that about him.

"You're welcome, but now my question is who is Jewel?" He asked, Lexi made a small gesture of confusion, she looked at the letter to verify the name.
"Jules" Lexi clarified, Fezco nodded.
"That's what I said."
Lexi made a small chuckle, and spoke again. 
"I don't know, maybe she's a friend of Rue's that she met wherever she went." 
"Do you want to go to the dance?" Fezco asked but inside she knew Lexi would fulfill her dream of having someone to dance with that she had read about in her journal.

"If we get invited it wouldn't be bad, but Fezco what about your grandmother?" 
"I can ask Faye to watch her, we can go to that dance." 
"Do you really want to go to that dance, I don't want you to feel obligated" she touched his chest, something he didn't expect but he took that hand to stay there.

"I won't feel obligated dear, in fact I would be honored for everyone to finally see my wife" he smiled amused, Lexi blushed as usual. 
"Fezco, don't say such things."
He leaned in to bump their foreheads, that caused Frankie to jump out from between them, so as not to be crushed, they just smiled at the puss's act, but continued.

"It's the truth, if we are invited I want to show you off, maybe lie by saying I was the only one who won your affections who could woo you properly." 
"You are Fezco, you are the only one and the last one to achieve that with me." 
"Then you want to go to that ball my dear?"
"Sure, I would love to my lord"
"Good, then it's a date" and he kissed his wife's knuckles, Lexi saw it as something so intimate, instead of her kissing him, she better trimmed herself next to him, and they were a comfortable silence, Fezco was happy for that act, while Lexi was so accommodating because her belly ailments were killing her internally, but she did it out of love just the same.

Chapter Text

The young couple was invited to the Jules Vaughn ball, weeks later, Lexi was excited she had never seen her so excited, Fezco knew very well why she was excited, while Ash was telling his brother something about him.

"Fezco why are you going to a ball, if you hate them, you don't like pompous people and who are always bragging about their ostentatious life." 

"I'm going for Lexi, I want to fulfill something for her." 

"Something, that means" 

"That you stay out of it, besides instead of being focused on what Lexi and I are going to do you should be looking at what is about to happen to you, Ethan has told me that he will be teaching at the town school very soon and you should be aware."

"Aware of what, that I'll be with a bunch of kids who don't know about classic literature?" 

"Ash, a lot of kids your age will benefit from Ethan teaching them, and don't underestimate them, they might surprise you." 

"Yeah right." 

"I also want you to change that attitude, that way you'll never have any friends" 

"I'm better off alone" 

Fezco approached his brother

"Don't say that, you don't know what you're saying, it's better to be in company" 

"And if I get hurt for trusting them" 

"You learn your lesson,but Ash I want you to be like a normal kid, with what's going on with grandma, things can change at a moment's notice I need you to understand that part, I don't want you to be alone." 

"I understand that but, you will be there with me just like Lexi." 

"Yeah, that's for sure, but we're adults we'll have different interests than you, like going to a dance, you don't like that, so what better than having friends don't you think?" 

Ash raised his shoulders a little depressed, Fezco understood his worries.

"Change that face, nothing is happening yet." 

"I know but it's going to be hard" 

"Don't worry you'll be fine, and don't hesitate to talk about wso with me."

Ash nodded, and they hugged as they parted playfully Fezco said to him.

"now go away I want to be ready to go with Lexi"

"Agh the things they do for "love" "

With that he left, as Fezco started to put on his pants, and his jacket, today he wanted to make a great memory for Lexi.

♡

Lexi with Faye's help was fixing her hair with her curlers, while Lexi put on the earrings her mother had given her, and put on some of the lipstick Cassie had given her.

"You're really excited about this dance, is there anything special?" Faye asked her as she looked at her in the mirror, Lexi blushed a little.

"It's just that I've never been to one accompanied with a man before" she spoke to her in a whisper.

"Oh I get it, so this is your first time dancing with someone?"

"Yes, hardly anyone would ask me to dance, it was more because of Cassie and her radiant beauty." 

"Well what fools they passed up a great catch, and Fezco was so lucky to have you." 

"Thank you Faye."

She got up to have him put the dress on her, it was pale pink with lace at the neck, and sleeves, Fezco gave it to her as a gift for this moment, for Lexi it was no doubt such a wonderful thing for her.

Putting it on, Faye told her to turn her back to tie it.

"I'm going to tighten it a little, so you can "captivate" Fezco even more." 

"But Faye, I won't be able to breathe" spoke Lexi a little worried behind her back, Faye just rolled her eyes.

"Easy I know what I'm doing, maybe you'll thank me for it." 

And she began to pull the strings of the dress to fit Lexi's curves, Lexi just grimaced at the squeezing.

"Ready, turn around."

Lexi obeyed and turned to face him.

"You look wonderful" 

"Thank you" Lexi looked at herself in the mirror and she really did look good, she felt comfortable for the first time, and she hoped it would stay that way.

"You should go with Madame Marie to see you, I'm sure she'll love it." 

"Yeah, plus I promised her."

♡

Fezco looked at the little box in her hands, she knew it would be a good gift, she hoped it would be, she opened the little box and saw the necklace,with a heart in the center, it was small but since she saw it some time ago she immediately thought of her beloved wife, the one who now owned her heart, and that maybe it would be reciprocal.

♡

"As always you look beautiful Lexi Howard, I still find it hard to believe someone hasn't asked for your hand" Marie spoke as she sat on the bed, Lexi was standing in the center of the room.

"Do you really believe that?" 

"Of course I do Lexi, come sit down." 

She complied with her request and sat down next to her.

"Never doubt who you are Lexi, I want you to be confident, not many young girls are taught that but I want that for you, I want Fezco to see that." 

"I think he does ma'am, he brings out that confidence in me, I must tell you the truth I am fulfilling a dream for the me of a few years ago." 

"Ah really, and what could it be?" 

"That at last there is someone who will dance with me." 

Marie was touched by Lexi, and smiled warmly at her as she took the young woman's hand.

"I'm glad Fezco is that someone." 

"Me too, I love him" Lexi covered her mouth at the last and looked at the lady.

She was smiling mischievously.

"You love him?" 

Lexi said nothing, and stared better at her hands.

"Lexi, you can tell me it's not serious." 

"It's just that ma'am, we barely know each other well, it's not too soon to love someone." 

"Well I'm not the one to say about love, my husband was a bastard, my son no way, but Fezco, he breaks that, so I don't think it's wrong for you to love so soon Fezco, because if you didn't believe me it would be a real problem." 

Lexi analyzed Mrs. Marie's words and it was true Fezco had told her about the mistreatment his mother had suffered, but despite that Fezco's mother still loved her sons and instilled values for someone like him and turning him into a man that would certainly make anyone fall in love.

"I love him, he is what I always wanted and more as a husband, and I want to tell him that today."

"Well what better time for that than this dance, don't be afraid Lexi tell him how you feel." 

Lexi got out of bed and gave the lady a kiss on the hundred.

"I will, see you later" 

"Have fun, you deserve it." 

♡

Fezco was already waiting for her at the entrance, she came downstairs and time stopped for both of them, they could feel a longing for something they wanted so badly.

Fezco approached her and extended his hand when she almost reached him.

Lexi accepted it and they approached.

"Alexia O'Neill you get more beautiful every day." 

"I forgot you had to call me that." 

"You mustn't forget my dear, you are my wife and it is proper for you to carry my last name." 

"I know." 

Fezco pulled the little box he had before out of his pocket and handed it to Lexi.

"Open it." 

"Fezco, what is this?" the young woman said confused as she opened the little box, and saw the necklace inside.

"My heart, oh well a symbol of it." 

"Fezco it's very pretty" she took it out of the box and took a closer look at it.

"When I saw it I thought of you, you can even put a picture inside it." 

"Oh that would be too expensive, better you can write me something and we'll put it here". 

"As you wish, but you heard what I said."

"What is symbol of your heart, does it mean I have your heart?"

"I would say more than that, Lexi I want to tell you that..." he paused, he only had to say two words I love you, it was very hard for him, he was afraid that all the acts or gestures that were made between them were just assumptions, but al after all he wanted to get this out of his system and finally tell her... "so I want to tell you that you are the best thing that ever happened to me in this life, this little heart symbolizes much more and I hope you know that, that I, that I love you." 

Lexi looked at him adoringly and with little tears in her eyes.

"Oh Fezco, I love you too" she said as she hugged him, and they both felt like a barrier had been broken down, they had finally confessed to each other and what better time than this.

As the hug ended, Fezco stole a small kiss on Lexi's lips, she smiled.

"Turn around, I'm going to put this necklace on you."

The girl obeyed and turned her back, Fezco took the necklace, to put it on his wife, when it was fastened Lexi touched it with her fingertips.

"It's perfect," Lexi said, looking at it from the front.

"And believe me it's just getting started." 

Lexi laughed slowly, then they heard the carriage was ready for both of them, they said goodbye to Ash, Faye and Grandma, and left for the dance.

♡

Fezco thought it would be a party like the ones he usually attended but nothing prepared him for this kind, first it was very private, when they got out of the carriage Fezco could notice several women dressed as men at the entrance.

Lexi hadn't noticed him because she was looking for Rue with her eyes, until she noticed a tall blonde girl on the arm, wearing a light blue dress with lace and several sparkles on it.

"That must be Jewel" Fezco said in a whisper, Lexi nodded and they headed towards them.

Rue looked at them and ran so both of them.

"Lexi Howard, Fezco O'Neill" Rue shouted.

"Rue" Lexi exclaimed happily as both friends hugged.

"Lexi, you look good, look at you all society lady like I thought you would be" Rue told her pulling away.

"Shut up Rue, I have so many questions to ask you."

"I know, and I will answer them" Rue looked at Fezco and he nodded his head.

"Fezco, listen I know what I did before wasn't the right thing to do."

"You're a fucking idiot, you did this to me Fezco." 

"You did this to me, it's your fault." 

"I wish people would see the kind of person you are." 

"Rue I didn't do anything, you brought this on yourself" 

"That's not true, I trusted you now my mother is furious." 

"It's not my fault you bargained with Custer over Opio, I told you I wasn't doing that anymore that grandma wasn't playing that game anymore" 

"I want to apologize." 

Fezco thought hard about what Rue had done, using Opium was bad enough, and from what he sees he quit, he hoped it would stay that way but, Rue hurt him, he looked at Lexi who was confused.

"I accept your apology, come here Benett." 

And they both hugged, as Rue shed tears.

"Hey don't cry, I told you it's okay." 

"But I feel bad about what I said to you, I was such an idiot Fez, it wasn't your fault." 

"It's okay, it's in the past."

Rue smiled at him, but then made a reminder face and turned to look at Jules.

"I'm such a jerk, look this is Jules my... "friend" Rue said making quotation marks as Jules approached.

"It's a pleasure to meet you guys, I hope you enjoy the party" Jules spoke politely as he bowed in greeting, Fezco and Lexi bowed in greeting as well.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Jules" spoke Lexi happily.

"Well why don't we talk Lexi, I have a lot to tell you." 

"That's okay." 

♡

And so Rue told her about her addiction first to tobacco, and then to Opium, no doubt the latter had left her pretty bad, and she was very ashamed that Lexi saw her in that condition, Rue told her that she met Opium through one of Fezco's merchant friends, but Rue in her ignorance blamed Fezco for what happened, for having introduced them to each other.

Lexi took in all the information her friend was giving her and the tears began to flow, in such a short time.
"I could have helped you Rue." 
"I know but you had your own problems." 
They both hugged again crying, when they separated Rue wiping herself with the sleeves of her suit, she asked her. 
"So, how did you and Fezco end up married?" 
"I'll be honest Rue, it was an arranged marriage between his grandmother and my mother." 
"Oh god, Lexi, but it's okay isn't it, Fezco is a good man he wouldn't force you to do anything."
"I know, he's wonderful even I, I fell in love with him and told him I loved him." 

Rue went blank.
"Wow, I really didn't expect this, but, I'm happy for both of you, despite being arranged you loved each other, you finally have a man who loves you Lexi" 
"Yes, and I'm so happy about that." 
They both smiled.
●
Fezco if he was strange with his surroundings, although Rue wore just like him a jacket with a dress shirt, pants and so on, it didn't make Fez uncomfortable since he knew Rue was never comfortable with dresses, but seeing other people like that, gave him some nervousness.

Lexi arrived unexpectedly startling him but she took him by the arm, to walk together, Fezco could feel his chest warming up, a few moments ago they both confessed they loved each other, he was blissful, and seeing Lexi he could see it in her eyes.

Lexi stopped dead in her tracks as she saw the dancing begin, Fezco knew his ahnelo of dancing with someone was still in his little head, so once and for all he would be the face of that guy he danced with.

So Fezco stepped in front of her and offered her his hand.
"Gusta dance this piece with me Miss Howard" spoke Fezco as he winked at his wife, she blushed but took his hand letting her wedding ring shine.
"It will be a pleasure to dance with you Mr. O'Neill" They both played along.

"I am glad you have accepted my proposal Miss Howard, for I must say I have not taken my eyes off you." 
"Really Mr. O'Neill, do you think me pretty?" 
"I reserve the right to tell you that, until we're on the runway, so let's go." 
"Sure" she nodded politely as they got into their positions before the musicians began to play.

And so began a night that they would undoubtedly both not forget for the rest of their lives, the night they loved each other and would finally be husband and wife in every way.

Chapter Text

The music started, the violins were playing perfectly while the people who were going to dance bowed in front of their partner.

Fezco had not taken his eyes off Lexi, she really looked radiant today, they started by holding hands and getting closer, quite easy for him, as he had only danced a few times before.

Then they began to exchange partners, Lexi danced with a gentleman who was smiling politely, while Fezco was with a lady, they continued exchanging partners but without taking their eyes off each other until they were facing each other again.

Fezco extended his hand along with the other gentlemen and Lexi took it, put her hand on his shoulder, and they made a circle along with the others.

And they started, dancing making the circle start to rotate like the hands of the clock.

"I feel like everyone is watching us" Lexi spoke in a whisper as she analyzed her steps.

"Let them see us" he made her turn around "after all they already missed their chance". 

Lexi started laughing at that.

"Fezco, I didn't know you were a very good dancer" Lexi encouraged, and he whispered in her ear.

"Believe me my lady, inside I'm hurting if I'm doing it right." 

"Me too, but it feels natural, I like that."

"Yes, me too." 

They kept not taking their eyes off each other, Lexi was having a glow, and Fezco was thrilled that he was the reason for that glow.

"Can I tell you something?" 

"You already do, dear." 

Lexi was embarrassed but shook her head.

"Did your grandmother sell Opium?"

Fezco tensed at the question, feeling distressed, but Lexi touched his cheek.

"I won't bother, believe me, it's only because of what Rue told me." 

"Lexi, I, it was bad decisions my grandmother made that she was eventually able to put behind her, and I don't do that anymore believe me." 

"I do Fezco, it's just that I wanted to hear it from you, it's okay." 

"You're not afraid that I'm still in that business." 

"I'm not because I know you'll protect me and there's no danger from that anymore, right?" 

"No there isn't" he affirmed 

They both stopped dancing as the couples finished, and clapped politely.

Fezco and Lexi smiled at each other, Rue grabbed their shoulders out of the blue.

"Hey that was a really good dance, you guys really look great with each other" she winked at them both.

"They are definitely a cute couple, I hope to see them more often," Jules said, equally happy for both of them.

♡

"Come on Lexi just have a drink" said Rue a little drunk, Lexi had made a promise to herself not to drink alcohol, she was afraid she would end up like her parents.

"No, Rue thank you" she declined the drink, as Fezco was talking to Jules.

"So all these people are your friends or acquaintances" Fezco started the conversation, Jules nodded.

"Yes, the truth is that only a few but I still told him that they could invite more friends, it's a dance we should have fun don't you think?" 

"Of course I agree, but believe me I've never been to one like this before." 

"What do you mean?" 

"Well you know people, I'm not against anything but they are different." 

"Easy Fezco they don't bite, as long as you don't say the wrong thing it's ok." 

Fezco smiled, at that he watched as Rue offered Lexi a drink and she rolled her eyes as she resolutely took the drink, as she finished it she made a disgusted face.

Fezco walked up to her and grabbed her waist, she gave a gasp at the touch.

"It's me Lexi, how are you feeling?" 

"A little weird, I must admit it's my first drink,it's my first time drinking" she smiled nervously, Fezco shook his head in amusement.

"Small drinks Lexi, we don't want you to end up bad in the morning." 

"Yeah you're right." 

●

The night went on with Lexi laughing at Jules' anecdotes, while Rue and Fezco caught up, Fezco would ask Lexi to dance at every turn, she was certainly fulfilling her dream but at that pace her feet were hurting from all the dancing.

"Fezco I'm tired my feet are hurting, can we go home" said the young woman as she yawned, and leaned her head on her husband's shoulder, he just watched as people started to leave.

"Yes, I think it's time to go, my dear, come on, let's say goodbye" he lifted her carefully and put her coat on, they went to the hostesses, who hugged them.

"I'll send letters, so we can see each other," Rue said to Lexi during the hug.

"Yes, I'll answer them right away." 

They both separated and woke up, Fezco and Rue nodded their heads, they would slowly become closer again.

♡

The wagon ride was comfortable, but they both felt a different atmosphere, Fezco didn't know why but since the dances with Lexi he felt the need to touch her more, to have her all to himself, and he also knew that since they were sleeping together he was feeling a clear attraction to his wife's body, sometimes his robe would ride up revealing her legs when he woke up, and he almost saw more but he didn't want to be indecent.

But now he was feeling a little more desirous, before he knew it they arrived home.

"Lexi, come on, it's time to go in the house." 

Lexi half asleep nodded and they got off the wagon, Fezco paid the driver and they both went inside the house, they went to their room which was only lit by moonlight, Fezco lit some candles so he could see how to take off his shoes.

Lexi took off Fezco's jacket and put it on the chair next to her, she tried to unbutton her dress but Faye apparently tied it in a tight knot.

"Fezco, can you help me" Lexi spoke to him, Fezco no longer terms of taking off his shoes and approached Lexi.

"What can I help you with?" 

"Can you remove the knot please" she said in a whisper as she turned her back to her, Fezco hesitated a bit at the request but began to Undo the knot of the dress.

Both of their breaths were heavy,as they finished Lexi was going to walk away but Fezco started to undo the strings revealing Lexi's bare back.

The girl was shocked to feel the cold air on her back, Lexi held the front of the dress tightly so it wouldn't fall off.

She turned quickly to face Fezco, he stood still and stared at her, Lexi felt warm in a different way, Fezco looked at Lexi's lips as a sign of what was to come.

So they kissed, like days ago with an intensity that only made them continue more, Lexi's sighs could be heard as he began to touch her, and pinch her ass, while she was squeezing the man's arms.

"Fezco" Lexi moaned softly as they parted.

"Lexi, I'm asking you, do you want this?" he spoke between curtly.

"Yes, please Fezco." 

Fezco in one motion carried Lexi to lay her on the bed, as he pulled down her dress leaving it on the floor.

He gazed at his wife's naked body, her small breasts he quickly covered in embarrassment.

"What's wrong Lexi?" 

"I'm just embarrassed, they're not like my sister's." 

Fezco got a little angry at that comment, and strongly told her.

"I don't give a damn if they're not like your sister's, I want to see them don't be embarrassed." 

Then he took Lexi's arms and put them above her head, he held her wrists while he started to spread kisses on her face, and on her neck, in that part Lexi gave him more access since he liked to feel his beard.

Until at last she moved down to her breasts and began to fondle him drawing a sigh from her.

She began to kiss one and lick it, it was certainly a pleasant enough action as she felt between her legs the warmth, and something sticky that she didn't know what it was.

"Your breasts are perfect Lexi, I won't let you be ashamed of them." 

"Fezco" she released Fezco's grip, and with both of her hands she grabbed his face to kiss him again.

Fezco began to remove his white shirt and pants, Lexi felt Fezco's manhood between his legs which made her blush.

Fezco broke away to take off his shoes and socks, he was exposed to Lexi.

They stood gazing at each other's bodies, their breaths were ragged, Fezco laid Lexi back down on the bed as his hand traveled to her nether regions.

Lexi's nervousness was in the air until Fezco began to caress her parts, Lexi sighed at that, she had never touched herself because everyone said it was impure and only her husband could do it, the truth was she didn't know if it would happen but now Fezco was focused on touching her.

"How does it feel?" 

"It feels good" Lexi whispered as she listened to the stickiness of his center, which excited her even more, Fezco started to create a rhythm,which made Lexi moan even louder, and starting to manhandle her legs to create more friction.

"You're doing great my love" he kissed his wife's hundred, as Lexi was already about to finish.

"Fezco I'm feeling something" 

"Let it go, it's okay." 

They continued the strong movements until Lexi felt a burst inside her body, and she came apart with a roar, Fezco kissed her when Lexi finished.

"What was that?" Lexi said between cuts as she caught her breath.
"Your little death, it was an orgasm dear." 
"It felt too good." 
"I'm glad" he said as he kissed her hundred again.
"Now, you need my attention don't you?" She said looking a little nervously at Fezco's cock, he in return blushed and shook his head.
"It's ok, take it easy recover." 
"But, Fezco I'm fine now, you can do it, you can take me." 
Fezco didn't take him long to position himself, and be between Lexi's legs,he put them on his waist to secure them, he looked at Lexi who was already sweaty and even more excited from what he had done to her earlier.

Fezco reached down and they bumped foreheads.
"Lexi, are you sure?" he asked. 
"Yes I am, I already told you you can take me." 
"Good." 
Fezco took his member and slowly put it at Lexi's entrance, the girl squealed at the new feeling, Fezco slowly inserted himself inside Lexi until he filled her, he felt complete, warm, quite exhilarated and no doubt blessed to be with Lexi, he was avoiding with all his might not to come.

Lexi began to shed small tears, Fezco reached down and wiped them away.
"Don't worry, I won't move until you ask me to." 
"Yes, you can kiss me, I can't get enough of it." 
"Whatever you want" he replied, and kissed her gently, while Lexi was still adjusting to Fezco.

"Fezco, I love you" she said as they pulled apart, they both smiled.
"I love you too Lexi."
The young woman thought about it for a bit, and after she was sure, she said to Fezco.
"You can move." 
"Really?"
Lexi nodded, and began to move slowly, the young woman frowned at the sensation, but Fezco began to slowly set a rhythm, causing grunting and moans from both lovers.

Fezco a comfortable his head on Lexi's neck.
"Fezco, Don't stop," she said as she dug her nails into his back.
"Trust me cutie, I don't plan to." 
"You feel so good." 
"So do you." 

In the room there was the sound of both skins colliding and the creaking of the bed.
"I don't want it to end" 
"And it won't, we'll do it all the time now." 
"But that doesn't mean I'll be pregnant." 

Fezco stopped short a little, and Lexi became distressed.
"I wouldn't care if you got pregnant now or in the next few,would you?" 
"No, I always wanted a family." 
"And you will have it my love, you will give me the cutest fucking babies" he said as he started ramming her again, harder, and Lexi moaned again.

"You're going to give me cute babies Fezco, we're going to be a family" Fezco faltered at what was said but continued.
"Lexi my love." 
"I love you Fezco." 
He kept up the rhythm starting to spasm,Fezco put his hand back on Lexi's part, to bring her back to give her an orgasm, Lexi just let herself be carried away by the hot sensation.

They both began to sway from the rhythm as she felt that sensation of being about to come.
"I love you Lexi, thank you for being in my life." 
"Thank you for your being in mine." 
And with one more heated kiss, Fezco ended up inside Lexi, Lexi just as much had her orgasm, they were both breathing in and out between cuts.
Fezco pulled out of Lexi and watched as his come began to spurt out of her, something primal appeared in him, and he began to push back out of Lexi.

The latter only felt flushed by the act,as they finished they both lay down together, smiling contentedly.
"I didn't expect this" Fezco spoke as he stroked Lexi's silky hair.
"Truthfully I didn't either, I thought we would just sleep after the dance but, I liked it" They both chuckled low, because they knew they knew it was true.
"I'm glad to hear that, rest my love" They both looked at each other again, and Lexi kissed him goodnight.
"You too, get some rest." 
And they both slowly took their sleep,as they enjoyed the warmth of each other and the pleasurable section they had created together.

Chapter Text

Fezco was the first one to wake up because of the sun rays that were peeking on his face, he blinked several times, he looked at Lexi who was asleep next to him and smiled tenderly, he started to spread kisses on her face to wake her up.

Lexi started laughing at Fezco's action, until she stopped him to kiss him better on the lips, even though it was a little rough and lazy, it was perfect to start the morning.

"Good morning" Lexi said as she pulled away.

"Good morning, how are you feeling?" 

"Fine even though I have to say I'm a little sore downstairs but it's small it's sure to pass quickly." 

"Okay, am...yesterday was fine." 

"It was more than fine, it was perfect." 

They both smiled tenderly, and looked at each other mischievously afterwards.

"Do you, do you want to do it again?" Lexi asked nervously, as Fezco started kissing her neck.

"You want to do it again?" He asked looking at her better

"Yes" and they kissed intensely again, Fezco slowly lowered his hand back down to that part that made her gasp yesterday, no doubt breakfast could wait.

♡

Ash was surprised that Lexi and Fezco didn't come down for breakfast.

"They didn't come down for breakfast" Ash said seriously to his grandmother, grandma popped a strawberry in her mouth and smiled inwardly.

"Maybe they're sleeping off yesterday, they were late." 

"It makes, it makes sense" said a slightly crestfallen Ash.

His grandmother has noticed that her grumpy little grandson is very sad, crestfallen and always wants to be with Fezco and Lexi, which isn't bad at all but he needs something different.

"Ash,you're almost into school,aren't you excited." 

Ash just shrugged his shoulders.

"Not much, they'll all be idiots." 

"Ash, don't say that, look I know it's all very difficult, but it's good that you're open to new experiences, what's more I think it will be good for you to get out of these four walls and explore on your own." 

"That's what you want, for me?" 

"Ash what I want for you is happiness that and nothing else." 

Ash smiled a little and went back to chewing his food, Marie just sipped from her cup of tea, she knew it was a breakthrough.

At that moment she saw Fez and Lexi walking down the stairs holding hands and very happy, apparently everything was perfect for the O'Neill family.

Ash was nervous when he finished breakfast, he changed very slowly in his room, Frankie the cat even looked at him strangely, but downstairs they were waiting for him.

Lexi and Fezco were waiting sitting next to their grandmother.

"He's taking a while don't you think?" she addressed her grandmother Fezco.

"It's his first day, let him, by the way how was the dance, I didn't ask them anymore." 

Both young men blushed, and Marie arched her eyebrow.

"Well we danced and chatted with Rue" replied Fezco.

"Oh I see, I'm glad, young people need to have fun" the lady said playfully, Lexi turned even redder.

But Marie couldn't say anything else because Ash came downstairs with his slate in panos and the occasional book.

"Let me see you Ash, you must have a good presentation, honor the O'Neill name, even with that face I don't think that's the case." 

"I don't know what face to make, I'm not too sure about going to school." 

"Nonsense Ash, you'll do great you'll see" Lexi said getting up from the couch, and standing next to him.

"Okay, well I have to go" Ash spoke, yes grandma gave him a kiss on the forehead, Lexi hugged him, while Fezco grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Good luck brother, and easy on the friends little, little by little thing." 

Ash just nodded, Fezco hugged him too.

The boy separated from his brother and sister, he took one last look and they said goodbye, never in Ash's short life had he felt so loved, he had a warm feeling in his being.

With that he left and went down the path that his brother had indicated, on the way he saw one or another boy of his age, all were in a group or some alone like him.

But while Ash was deep in thought, he felt a tap on his shoulder, as he looked he saw a boy with long black hair down to his ears, wearing a scarf, and his clothes looked pretty decent.

"Hey, are you new?" the young man asked Ash, he nodded and the boy smiled kindly at him.

"My name is Benedict Davies, what's yours?" 

"Am...Ashton O'Neill" he said shyly.

"Is your family the merchants? "He asked in surprise.

"Yes, the family business." 

"Wow you must have a lot of money" 

"Amm...something" 

"You're not much of a talker, are you?" 

"Amm..." 

"Beeennnn!" shouted someone running towards them, as they turned around, it was another young man but with a misaligned appearance.

"Thomas, you're late again" said Ben, Thomas took puffs of air.

"Yeah, the rooster didn't wake me up I was late" the boy looked at Ash and frowned.

"Who are you?" asked Thomas.

"Ashton." 

"He's an O'Neill" Ben stressed, Thomas was surprised.

"Wow, I've never been next to someone so rich" exclaimed Thomas.

"Can we not brag that I'm rich is a bit annoying,I don't, I don't brag about it" said Ash already annoyed that both boys were surprised by his last name, the other two boys were quiet but nodded.

"That's okay, we're sorry to bother you about that" apologized Ben.

"Yeah, but changing the subject why did you just get into school?" Thomas asked 

"I, Mr. Lewis has been my teacher since I was little and since he was offered the position to teach here at the school he told me I could take classes with him at the school." explained the boy.

"Oh so he was your tutor" said Ben 

"What a lucky guy" spoke Thomas.

At that they watched as all the other students ran towards the small school, apparently it was already late.

So likewise the 3 boys ran.

♡

Fezco was together with Lexi in the living room,everything was very quiet but nice, Fezco started tickling her with his beard and the young girl started laughing.

"Fezco, stop it, you're tickling me" she said between small giggles.

"What do you want to do today Lexi?" 

"I don't know, today is a quiet day despite you know, what we did" she mumbled the last already red, Fezco smiled.

"I wouldn't mind doing it again" 

"Fezco, don't be greedy" she scolded playfully, as she elbowed him in his stomach, he laughed again, took Lexi by the waist and pulled her to his side on the couch, Lexi put her head on Fezco's shoulder.

"But changing the subject, do you think Ash is doing well in school, I mean I never went so" Fezco questioned.

"Well Ash is good in his studies very applied I don't think he will have any problems but when it comes to his classmates you have to understand that sometimes kids are really dumb." 

Fezco frowned at such a comment.

"Were they mean to you, my love?" 

Lexi let out a snort of annoyance.

"Agh, they were mean to all the girls, they always lifted up our skirts as a game" she stated annoyed just remembering it.

"They would do that, and what did you say to them?" 

"Obviously we reprimanded them for doing such a thing but, they never listened."

"What idiots, I hope Ash doesn't hang out with any of those knucklehead boys." 

"He won't, Ash is very cautious and he'll know that those aren't friendships" 

"I hope so"

♡

And they were right, it was a blessing for Ash to be with boys like Thomas and Benedict, as when they were introduced to the others they looked pretty "rowdy and disrespectful" as his grandmother would say.

"Look Ash, this is Caleb,Marcus,Damian, and Connor" spoke Ben when they were in recess.

"Amm nice to meet you guys" he said shyly, the other guys scoffed at the reply.

"Yeah nice to meet you, so Ashton O'Neill, why are you gracing us with your presence" spoke that Connor boy mischievously.

"I didn't know that rich people wanted to be with the offspring" Marcus said.

"I don't see it that way, besides I'm not as rich as they think I am" Ash looked at them in an unaffected way.

"Yeah right Ash, keep lying about living together" Connor sneered again, 

Benedict gave him a dirty look, and punched him in the chest.

"Hey Connor stop it, Ash is nice stop picking on him." 

"Alright" he said as he crossed his arms "Hey Marcus, how did it go with Vanessa already fell for you?" asked Connor playfully.

Ash frowned he looked at Thomas and Benedict, they rolled their eyes, and waved a hand at him to wait.

"Good, even though she keeps saying she doesn't want anything to do with me." 

"That's how they all are, first they tell you no and in the end look, they fall for it" he thundered his fingers at the last, Marcus scoffed.

"Yeah right, you're in the same condition as me, Margaret still won't listen to you." 

"Agh fall down"

"We'll go take our in milk bases, come on Ash" Thomas said out of nowhere to get out of the circle.

The boys walked out to stand in the small puddle, and get their milk enbases out and clean them from the water.

"I hate Connor he's such a jerk sometimes" Benedict started to drink.

"I know, I just put up with it because you must." 

"What were you guys talking about, do you already have fiancées?" asked Ash innocently.

Benedict spit out his milk and started laughing along with Thomas.

"Of course not silly, they're just pretending, even if it's not working for them." 

"I think Vanessa likes Caleb more than Marcus." 

Benedict nodded at that comment.

"Who is Vannesa?" Ash asked shyly.

"Oh right we haven't introduced you to the girls, look come on" 

They led him behind the school and there stood in a circle the girls, they fell silent at the sight of the three boys, Ash felt even more nervous, he had never been with a girl his age, it was all new to him.

"Hi girls" greeted the youngsters.

"Hi Thomas, Hi Benedict" greeted all of them cordially.

"Look I don't think we've introduced him but this is Ashton O'Neill, he's our new partner." 

"Right we couldn't introduce ourselves to you because it was already late, Hi my name is Vannesa" spoke the girl with reddish hair and pale pink dress.

"Nice to meet you" Ash greeted.

"Look, this is Amelia, Liliana, Sophie, Charlotte, Abigail and Margaret". 

The girls introduced themselves one by one, until the last one, Ash didn't know why but something inside him moved, he got nervous, Margaret was very pretty, she had dark black hair in a half ponytail, she had a mole near her eye, and these were dark brown like everyone else but for Ash he felt they were different somehow, and her sky blue dress fit her very well.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, would you like a cookie?" Addressed Margaret to Ash while extending a handkerchief,he shyly nodded,took the cookie and bit into it.

"I made them myself,even though some broke on the way,I hope you like them" spoke sweetly the girl to Ash this one only nodded again.

"He almost didn't speak?" Charlotte asked in a whisper to Benedict.

"Yes, but I think it's because of her shyness maybe she's opening up to us." 

"So you're not walking me home today are you?" asked the girl, Benedict blushed at that comment, he was going to answer but the bell rang again, indicating that they should enter the classroom.

They all started walking, Ash saw Margaret give him a quick glance before looking back down at her feet.

Ash was thinking of only one thing and that was not to end up like Fezco, not to end up outright in love with a girl.

● 

Marie was thanking God that Ash wasn't here to hear her coughing sonorously, she was glad her little one went and explored on his own, he would be a better but because of his illness he didn't have a very good time, and just today.

Fezco went to visit her, while Lexi took care of the cats, and the pending letters to her sister and Rue.

"Grandma," she said heavily.

"Fezco, what are you doing here" she spoke as she brushed away the little tears that wanted to come out.

"I heard you coughing, so I brought you some Tea" she said as she fetched the cup and handed it to her grandmother.

"You shouldn't have bothered." 

"It's what I want to do." 

"So Ash, this at school how are you feeling?" She asked as she sipped her tea."I feel it's the right thing to do, after all I never went to school so I don't know what the experience will be." 

"Yeah, you know I always regret that but it wasn't safe the business was shady remember?"

"Yeah, I remember him talking about it, Lexi already knows that we sold Opium." 

"Oh my God, what did he say?" 

"Don't worry grandma, she understood." 

"She knows we don't do it anymore right?" 

"Of course, I explained it to him. Don't worry, Grandma." 

"I just don't want her to have a bad impression of us, I tried to bury that as much as I could so it wouldn't have any repercussions on your future and Ash's" 

"I know grandma, relax she's not disappointed or scared." 

"I'm glad, and I think she's happier, yesterday she told me she wanted to tell you she loved you." 

Fezco smiled warmly.

"We did, we said we love each other." 

His grandmother touched Fezco's cheek.

"You deserve that good woman, you deserve each other." 

"Yes, I should thank you for that, even though I never answered her why Lexi?" 

"Well I remember Suze had gone to a dance, I guess knowing that you were single and had never pretended to anyone well, she took it as an opportunity, and I must say so did I because, I didn't want you to be alone, even though my biggest fear was that your fiancée would never like you and vice versa it would be utter chaos, but I'm glad that's not the case."

"Yeah I'm glad it's the way it is too."

♡

Ash had finished his classes. It was not as long as he thought, even though he had done everything correctly, many looked at him with a bit of suspicion.

"Ash you are so smart, I don't know why you should come to school" Thomas spoke to him as they walked to their respective homes.

"I, my grandmother wanted me to have friends" he said bluntly and honestly.

"Oh I get it, you were lonely." 

"Yes, my grandmother wants me to have friends, because well my brother and his wife have to have their own lives." 

"I understand that, I wanted to be with my brother but when he got married, it was different, I didn't know what to do without him, but my dad said that everyone has to make their own life, have their own experiences and not be waiting for what your brother will do, because we also have decisions to make." 

Thomas was taken aback by the speech, and clapped his hands quickly.

"As always young Benedict,as smart as ever." 

Benedict smiled and looked at Ash.

"You're right, that was very good Benedict you should write something, about that." 

"Oh I do but it's secret I can't let my family know what I want to be a writer about." 

"Why not?" 

"You know, someone has to take care of the farm, and my sisters." 

"How many siblings do you have?" asked Ash. 

"There are 6 of us, my oldest brother who got married, my other brother Derek but he passed away a long time ago, me, and my sisters Erika, Sasha and Janessa" 

"Wow that's a big family, and you Thomas." 

"There are 7 of us counting my mom is pregnant again, so that's 4 girls and two boys, and we still don't know what my new brother will be, and it's just you and your brother?" 

"Yes, it's just me and him, but there's his wife she's very nice." 

"Is she pretty?" asked Thomas.

"Yes, my brother loves her madly and they haven't been married long."

"Good for them, well I guess this is where we split up, see you tomorrow Ash it was good to meet you and I hope we'll be friends from here on out." 

Ash smiled at her and they shook hands.

"Likewise, I liked you better than the other fools I've been getting to know, you have my friendship Ash, see you tomorrow" he said as he slapped both Ash and Benedict on the chest as a goodbye and they went on their way.

♡

Ash arrived home and was greeted by a big hug from Lexi.

"Ash, how did it go, did you eat your lunch, did you answer the questions Ethan asked you well, were they nice to you, did you make friends?" 

Ash broke away from Lexi and answered all of Lexi's questions.

"Well, yes, yes, yes, a little bit and yes." 

Lexi analyzed the answers and smiled at him.

"So it was a good day, they still weren't nice to you?" 

"Who wasn't nice to you, I hope you didn't give reasons why they weren't nice to you" her brother spoke behind her back walking down the stairs.

"I didn't give reasons just apparently everyone is surprised that I have a lot of money, and stuff like that, it was annoying but I told them it wasn't the case." 

"I see, don't worry sometimes everyone thinks you're going to brag about money but we educated you very well not to do that." 

"Yeah sure, well I can go to my room I'm a little tired" he said returning to his serious voice.

"Ok maybe, but will you tell us about those friends of yours" Fezco encouraged him. 

"Yeah I want to hear about it" Lexi encouraged as she put her head on Fezco's shoulder and he put his hand on her arm.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll see you later" she hurried up the stairs.

"Can you imagine when our kids go to school?" Fezco asked shyly as he saw Ash outside.

"Do you imagine them?" 

"I do now, they will be very smart like their mother." 

"They will be very smart, even though I hope they won't be criticized for it." 

"I don't think so, they'll be so privileged because their mom will read to them every night." 

"And their dad can do so many at once" they were silent "we're not being mur cheesy" 

"I don't mind, being corny with you my love." 

Lexi smiled at him and kissed him tenderly.

Ash watched through the balcony that kiss, he couldn't believe how fast things had changed, he felt different in both good and bad ways.

Chapter Text

Suze Howard knew from her daughter's letters that she was already in the honeymoon stage, which was tender and she looked forward to having a grandson or granddaughter.

Dear Mom...
Fezco has been a good husband, the truth is I am very grateful that he is so affectionate and loving with me, I know I am lucky because not many men are like that but Fezco is different that I like about him, the truth is I expected the worst but in the end it turned out wonderful, I will never stop being grateful for having a man like that by my side.
I hope you are in good health, I will come to visit you soon as I have been helping Mrs. Marie to go to the doctor, her health has been declining little by little, but I will come to visit you I promise.
Sincerely yours daughter.
Alexia Howard O'Neill.

Suze smiled she certainly wasn't wrong about what a catch Fezco O'Neill would be.
♡
Lexi was so nervous but so excited, she didn't know she could feel so good, and Fezco had induced her to her new marital activities, but what Fezco was doing certainly not many do.

"Fezco" she whispered in delight at the movements of her husband's tongue on her parts, he was still eating her out and lingering at the sounds of his wife.
He stopped a little and looked at Lexi, she was breathing heavily, she looked up at him.
"Why are you stopping, something is wrong." 
"No, I just wanted to see you, you're coming undone with my mouth, I like that." 
"I'm liking it too, can you please continue?" 
"Little wife, you're needy" he said as he started stroking with his fingertips that part that made her moan.
"Fezco, that feels good." 
"Of course it does, I'm the one doing it to you, no one else can, only me." 

Lexi nodded as she moaned again at Fezco's movements, until he stopped he put his tongue better, and the two fingers he slowly inserted them into her entrance.
"Aaah, Fezco please, more" Lexi demanded moaning, Fezco sped up the movements until the young woman began to feel that signature sensation.
"Don't stop Fezco, I'm, I'm, I'm coming please don't stop." 
"Give it to me Lexi." 
They kept going until Lexi was cumming quickly filling Fezco with her juices and finishing a few strokes to separate from her.

"When, When will I do the same to you?" Lexi asked between cuts, Fezco kissed her brutally.
"Soon," he whispered to her.
♡
Ash was with Thomas and Benedict, it had already been days where he spent time with them, they would go to the forest to talk, or go to the river to swim now that the sun was strong, on one of those days came the question that at first was innocent but in the end would be his downfall
"So Ash do you like someone from school?" Thomas asked playfully as he popped a grape into his mouth.
"Like in what way?" 
"Agh romantic, silly, if you wanted to I don't know hold her hand or ask her out for a bite to eat, you know stuff." 
"Like your brother and his wife" Benedict stressed.
"I...well, they're going to kill me if I tell them." 
"Wait you like Charlotte" exclaimed Benedict in alarm.
"Or do you like Abigail" said Thomas already annoyed.
"No, I like her, I like her, Margaret" he whispered the last but it wasn't well heard.
"Who?" said Thomas
"Margaret" he spoke loudly again.

Thomas looked at Benedict and Benedict's eyes widened.
"Margaret Jones, well Ash you are no doubt yards in the dirt." 
"Why?" Ash asked alarmed, perhaps Margaret was too rough, no doubt he would like that better from her.
"What do you mean why, Connor will send you straight to hell if you try to be with Margaret." 
Ash gave Thomas a dirty look, Benedic spoke to him.

"He's had a crush on her."
"But she's not interested in him." 
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean he won't be on the lookout for who he wants with her" Thomas suggested as he threw a rock into the river, Ash was silent.
"Ash as your friends we tell you, don't try anymore, you might like her but that's as far as it goes" stated Benedict.
"That's pathetic, besides I don't think I'll try anything I am, I'm not very good at that stuff" she threw a rock likewise into the river, Ash just had it in the back of his mind that maybe it was better not to do anything for once in his life.
♡
Fezco didn't expect Lexi to be doing what she's doing, she walked into his office very normal, she had accompanied her grandmother that afternoon, luckily Ash was with his friends from school, she didn't say anything to him she just walked up to him and kissed him warmly as she settled into his lap.

"Lexi, wait for the door" he spoke haltingly.
"I locked it." 
They continued kissing as usual, Lexi moved up and down to tease Fezco he held her waist, Lexi reached down to his pants and started unbuttoning them.
"Lexi, wait what are you going to do?" 
"The same thing you did to me." 

Lexi reached down to be on her knees and grab Fezco's member, at first she explored it, Fezco sighed heavily.
"Lexi." 
At that, she watched as she began to kiss him and slowly began to lick him, she took long licks, until she shoved the head between his lips drawing an obscene moan from the man 
"Lexi, shit keep it up" He demanded, as she searched for a rit.but Fezco didn't mind, as it felt so good to be inside her mouth, it was a new sensation for him.

She started licking him harder and wiggling her hand up and down to provoke Fezco's arousal even more.
"Lexi you're doing great, keep it up" Fezco said and grabbed some of Lexi's hair so he could do it better.
Fezco was clinging to his chair as Lexi was pulling his soul out of him with each lick, until he still felt like he was about to cum.

So he quickly pushed her away and made her roughly comfortable on his desk, but for Lexi it wasn't a position they'd ever done before, it made her blush as he began to lift up her dress and caressed her ass.
"God, Lexi, you're going to be the death of me," he said as he kissed her neck, and at that he slowly slipped between her legs.
They both moaned, already even more as Fezco began a punishing and obscene rhythm, which left Lexi quite satisfied.

When they were both done they continued kissing.
"How do you feel?" Fezco asked
"Feel like"
"I don't know, you don't feel pregnant?" 
"I don't think so. Do you think I'm pregnant?" 
"Maybe, you haven't been vomiting and all that, even though we've been doing it a lot." 
Lexi was embarrassed at what she was about to ask.

"Will you stop doing it if I'm pregnant?"
"What a question that woman is, I'll still have you even pregnant."
"I love you so much Fezco, I never thought this would happen." 
"That makes two of us cutie, I love you" 
♡
More days passed, Ash was watching from afar Margaret,but she was getting closer to him.
"Look I brought some cake today, I hope you like it" the girl said innocently.
Ash was so flushed that it was difficult for him to say thank you. 

Thomas and Benedict were very considerate, why they would make Connor look away or take him out of the small school so he wouldn't notice the interaction to avoid trouble.
But Connor wasn't that dumb he had noticed what was going on between Ash and Margaret, but he couldn't do anything about it because the teacher was always present so it was a matter of waiting to strike.

On the other hand, Suze sent a letter to Lexi, where she told her that she needed to see her and that Cassie had also sent her a letter, so Lexi noticed her mother cried a little on the leaves.
"I'm going to visit my mom, she says she has news from Cassie and apparently it might be bad" Lexi spoke as they stood in the doorway,Fezco took her by the hands.
"Yeah it's okay, anything I'm here" she gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"I know, same for you, it's just you and your grandma, will you be okay?" 
"I'll be fine, I love you" 
"And I you, see you later" he gave her a short kiss on the lips and marched to the carriage that was waiting for her.
They said goodbye in the distance.
♡
"Poor Cassie, mom this is too much even for her" Lexi said on the verge of tears.
"I know cute, but that's how it is, that stupid Nathaniel is putting ideas into your sister, what hurts me the most is that she lets herself be manipulated, she doesn't want to come see us anymore or for us to go with her, can you believe it, we don't know how my grandson will be" Suze said in sobs.

The letter that Cassie had sent was that things with Nathaniel were going bad after the wedding with Lexi, and he told her that he no longer wanted Cassie to have anything to do with it, so he informed his mother that he would no longer send letters, nor would she, for the sake of their marriage and their son.

Lexi hugged her mother and they both cried, for a long time, now more than ever they had each other.

"There's only you left Lexi, my baby girl," her mother said as she wiped away her tears.
"I'm here mom, I love you so much." 
♡
Fezco watched his grandmother sleep, no doubt she was beginning the deterioration physically, he hated the state she was in, he didn't want this but, he hoped she would hold on a little longer.
His thoughts were interrupted by a cough from his grandmother, quite loud, Fezco walked over and held out a handkerchief he put it in his mouth quickly.

Her grandmother coughed terribly, until she stopped and looked at the contents of the handkerchief.
"It's okay Give it to me grandma." 
She gave it to him without saying anything, Fezco took it carefully and put it in a jar.
"I love you Fezco" 
"Me too grandma" 
"I like to see the man you became" she began to slowly close her eyes to go back to sleep.

He took his grandmother's hand and squeezed it, it wasn't time yet.
♡
Lexi and Suze were calmer as they drank tea, if you asked Lexi when her mother did for her when she was young, she would say it was the first time.
"So, how's married life going, are you on commission yet?" her mother asked sweetly. 
"I don't know, I still wanted to ask you about it because I don't feel any different," Lexi touched her belly in acknowledgement that maybe she didn't have a baby yet.
"Well, let's see, the most noticeable sign is your bleeding, has it come?" 
"Um...no, it hasn't come yet." 
"Well that could be a sign, have you been wanting to eat a lot, are you sleepy?" 
"I've been very sleepy lately, but I don't think I'm too hungry." 
"It'll be a matter of waiting, honey, take it easy." 
"And what if I don't, if I couldn't" the doubt and maybe fear was noticeable.
"Nothing, well , besides you said that Fezco loves you, and if he does he will understand, let's thank the lord that is not the same as other men" 
"You're right I love him very much" 
"I know cute, see and you didn't want to get married." 
Lexi made a small smile, and drank from her tea.
♡
In the words of Fezco and His grandmother, Ash is usually impulsive, the first beating he took was with a drunk man who didn't want to pay his brother, it was so fast that they didn't have the time to process what happened 
Then it was with Faye's former suitor, who had harassed her, he punched her in the nose to get her to leave his house.

But now things were business as usual, Professor Ethan was running late for class, which left the kids chatting amongst themselves, Connor started harassing Margaret since she had gone out to get her milk.

"Come on Margaret, let's get out of here" he said as he tried to corner her on the school wall.
"Connor, stop it" she said loudly, but Connor stroked her leg.
Margaret was left in Shock, a dread seeped in.
"Connor please, stop doing this" she said again "I'm going to scream if you make a move." 
"You scream, and I'm going to hurt you" Connor pulled a small Razor from his pocket.
"Connor please let me go" she tried to get out of his grip.
"Why are you like this Margaret, because you love Ashton, it's because he has money, isn't it". 
"No because compared to you, he's more polite, he respects me and he's not pushing me around." 
Connor held her wrists tightly, put them above her head, Margaret was trying to pull away, and kissed his neck.

Margaret screamed, and Connor slapped her.

"Wait, did you hear that " said Thomas hitting Ash and Benedict.
"Where's Margaret?" asked Vanessa. 
"Maybe she got hurt, come on" spoke Charlotte, the two were heading for the door but were stopped by Caleb and Marcus.
"You guys aren't going anywhere" Caleb said.
"Get off" tried to push Charlotte but he pushed her away, making everyone look at her  
"What are you pretending, let's go see Margaret" spoke Vanessa annoyed. 

"Wait, where is Connor?" asked Benedict. 
"You're in cahoots with him aren't you?" asked Thomas crossing his arms.
"Haste aside" went Ash face to face against Caleb. 
"No, I'll do it."  
"Do it or I don't answer" clenched his fist Ash.
"What will you do" 
"This" 

And he gave him a big punch in the face, the girls pushed Marcus, open the door and ran out, Ash ran faster than them, and saw how Connor touched Margaret inappropriately, a burning anger went through him.
How dare he do such a thing, how dare that fucking son of a bitch!

Ash clenched his fist, and hit him on the cheek, Connor fell to the ground and Margaret ran along with the girls, they kept calm, but you could see the teary eyes.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? "Ash asked in annoyance, Connor wiped his bloody lip.
"YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS O'NEILL." 
"COME AND GET ME YOU IDIOT"

At that they started punching each other, Ash was able to hit him in the face and in the stomach to get the wind knocked out of him, but Connor still hit him in the eye and in the ribs.

The girls were saying stop, until Thomas, Benedict, and Professor Ethan arrived to break it up.
"What the hell is going on?!?!?!" Ethan asked in annoyance.
"Connor wanted to make a pass at Margaret." 
"That's not true." 
"It is Professor, we all witnessed it!"
Shouted both the girls and the boys.  

"Connor, Ashton I will have to talk to your parents now, classes are cancelled go home, Thomas stay with Ash, Benedict you stay with Connor, if they get away I swear to God they are going to be sorry" sentenced Professor, as he approached Margaret.

Ash took a look at the girl and she was looking at him anyway, in a whisper he thanked her, that made him feel good, even though he knows he will be in big trouble.
♡
Lexi had arrived home when she noticed a boy talking to Fezco, she quickly walked over and said hello.
"Is something wrong?" 
"It's Ash, he got in a fight for defending a girl" Fezco replied as he took her hand.
Lexi stood static, she looked at the young man and he nodded.
"A classmate tried to take advantage of Margaret while teacher Ethan was away,it was nasty, we all witnessed it, now Ash is with him at school waiting for Margaret's parents, I'm warning them to come" 

"Thank you very much, what is your name?" 
"Benedict Davies, I have to go but I will come tomorrow along with the others to see Ash." 
"That's very kind, see you later" Lexi replied kindly, the boy nodded and departed.

Fezco and Lexi let Faye know Faye understood, and said she would look after Marie while they went to see about Ash.
♡
The girls spoke to Margaret's parents, who were appalled by Connor's behavior.
"You're a freeloader, doing that to our daughter," Margaret's mother spoke
"No doubt your parents are right in not wanting to come, you are a disgrace to your family" spoke Margaret's Father now, the girl was holding her mother's arm, Ash just stood there listening as they continued to insult Connor, and with good reason.

Until he heard the school door open, revealing both Fezco and Lexi.
Ash felt embarrassed, Lexi ran up to him.
"Ash, are you okay?" she asked in a whisper.
"A little." 
Lexi gave him a kiss on the forehead and hugged him.
Fezco touched Lexi's shoulder, Lexi turned and looked at Margaret's family, Ethan and the boy Ash had hurt.
No doubt things were very heavy today.

Chapter Text

"We really appreciate young Ashton defending our daughter like this, we know it's not the right way but we appreciate him saving her" Margaret's mother said to Fezco, he nodded.

"I know and you really don't have to thank, we really didn't expect this kind of behavior but if Ash could have done something" said Fezco, Margaret's father shook her hand and shook it several times.

"Thank you very much." 

"It shouldn't be me, Ashton you can come it's okay" said Fezco as Ash separated from Lexi.

Lexi looked at Ethan and he gave her a grimace, she walked over to him.

"Everything okay Ethan?" The young girl spoke to him.

"I don't know Lexi, with this I hope I don't get in trouble with the president of the council, they trusted me and now I don't know what can happen" he crossed his arms. 

"You shouldn't worry, you did what you had to do, besides if we can help you Fezco and I don't hesitate to ask "

"Thank you Lexi, that's very kind" she smiled sadly.

"Professor, out of our mouths will come out what happened and the council will have to retaliate against this boy" exclaimed Margert's father angrily and pointing at Connor.

"I will tell him today in fact, but you can go home safe for the meantime, thank you for coming Mr. and Mrs. Jones I am really sorry for the situation, especially you Margaret." 

The girl nodded

"Don't worry Professor Ethan, it's not your fault." 

"Classes I guess will be suspended, I will tell you when they will start, for now go easy, yes" 

"Thank you, and Ash thank you for standing up for me" said the girl Ash nodded shyly and with that the Jones family left.

"You want me to help you take this kid away" Fezco turned to Ethan, pointing to Connor who was still saying nothing.

"No, I have to do it myself,his parents will be with the chairman of the board."

Ethan looked at Ash.

"So Ashton, look as a teacher I can't accept this kind of violent behavior" Ethan spoke seriously, Ash expected the punishment.

"But however as a person I think we all would have done the same, you avoided something unpleasant so I'll let this go ok, but if it happens again open consequences" he warned and Ash nodded quickly

"Yes, and I'm sorry for my behavior" 

"Don't be sorry as I said you avoided something so go home, heal your wounds and I'll tell you when we go back to class."

"It's okay."

Ash gave Connor one last look and he rolled his eyes.

"Thanks Ethan,you're a good teacher I don't think they'll take your spot and if it comes to that you can count on me" Fezco said, Lexi smiled at her husband.

"Thank you Lexi told me that I count on your support and I appreciate it very much, now you can go."

Ash and Fezco started for the door but Lexi stopped.

"It's going to be okay Ethan, have faith." 

"Thanks Lexi, see you later" 

♡

"Hold still boy" Faye said as she dabbed some ointment in the boy's eye.

"Are you sure this will help me?" 

"Who knows, Lexi is looking for some medicine for your knuckles."

Lexi rushed into Ash's room 

"I'm here look I brought this from my house but I couldn't find it,let me put it on your knuckles" lexi said sitting down next to him and putting another ointment on his knuckles, Ash grimaced.

"Does my grandmother already know about this?" asked Ash to penado.

"Nothing , Fezco said he didn't want to alarm her, but your friend Benedict is coming tomorrow." 

"What, why!" Exclaimed the boy

"He wants to see you is that bad?" Lexi asked

"Well no but...it's embarrassing." 

"Ash it's not, they're your friends they care about you, in fact I'll even make cookies" Lexi was excited,

Ash blushed and nodded, Faye on the other hand put alcohol on his lip, and Ash got annoyed.

"You need to heal you fool." 

Fezco arrived to watch as Lexi and Faye tended to Ash, Ash scoffed at him.

"Can you get them off me please." 

"Ash you're hurt, you need to tend to those wounds otherwise they could get worse" 

"Fine" growled the teenager.

♡

"Do you think Ethan will get in trouble?" asked Lexi to Fezco as she filled a bowl with water for Ash, Fezco just stared at her.

"Are you worried about Ethan?" 

"He's a good friend, I don't want him to lose his job" Lexi looked at him and noticed Fezco had a serious expression.

"He'll be fine Lexi, he's a good teacher and I already told him that any problems I can help." 

"Yes, that was very good of you Fezco" Lexi touched his cheek, and smiled warmly at him.

"Does it make you jealous that I talk about Ethan?" 

Fezco just stared at her and said nothing, his silence said it all.

"Fezco I only love you, don't be jealous." 

"Lose I'm sorry, they're little." 

"Good, because I don't like you feeling that way, there's no reason for that jealousy I'm only for you." 

Lexi kissed him deeply and Fezco grabbed her waist.

"I love you Lexi" 

"And I love you, now let's go to your brother."

♡

The morning after the events, Ash's classmates arrived, the boy thought that only Benedict and Thomas would come but the girls, including Margaret, came anyway.

"Good morning" all of Ash's classmates spoke, Lexi was surprised but smiled at them.

"Good morning are you Ashton's friends?" 

"Yes miss, are you Ash?" asked Thomas.

"Oh yes, I'm Alexia O'Neill, Ash is my brother in law but come in come in" she opened the doors for them.

"Thank you very much" said the children, and they were all surprised to be inside her house.

"Your house is very nice Mrs. O'Neill" said Charlotte admiring the paintings.

"Thank you, am.. I will go let Ashton know you are here but you can sit in the lobby" indicated the young lady and everyone nodded.

Lexi went to Ash's room, knocked on the door and heard a pass.

"Ashton your friends are here" 

"What???? So soon?" The boy was surprised and dressed quickly with some pain.

"Relax, they're all downstairs so be a good host all right." 

"Yes, yes." 

"I'll let your brother know."

Lexi came out and now went to her room with Fezco.

"Fezco, Fezco wake up there are visitors" Lexi spoke in a whisper and waved him awake, he opened one eye and groaned.

"Come on Fezco, get up my love." 

He unexpectedly grabbed Lexi by the waist and laid her back on the bed.

"Fezco what are you doing?" 

He started kissing her lazily, and Lexi let herself go.

"Fezco no, there are kids downstairs silly" she warned.

"It's not like they came into our room." 

"No, but we have to introduce ourselves." 

"Don't worry, just let me stay like this for a while" Fezco kept kissing her, and only Lexi's sighs could be heard.

♡

"Your house is very nice Ash" said Thomas as they stood in the lobby,Ash was nervous that they were all in their safe space.

"Thank you."

"So only your brother, and his wife live here?" Charlotte asked

"No, ammmmm my grandmother is here too but she can't come down with us." 

He commented apologetically.

"How's your eye, can you see well?" asked Margaret.

"I do, Faye and Lexi helped me heal them."

Margaret nodded.

"Do you, do you want to see the garden?" asked Ash nervously and pointed to the back of the house.

"You have a garden?" asked Vanessa. 

"It must be big" affirmed Benedict

"Yes, amm..come on come on" he got up from his seat and began to lead them out.

As the others went out into the garden Margaret approached Ash and gently took his arm, the boy looked up at her. 

"I, am...I'm so sorry you took that beating for me, but I have to thank you for that, Connor was a jerk" Margaret was embarrassed but Ash didn't want to see her like that.

"You don't have to apologize me, I wanted it to be okay, but how do you feel, you were assaulted too" 

"I feel, disgusted, weak, but I wanted to come see you" she smiled shyly at him,Ash looked in several directions and hugged her.

"It's going to be okay Margaret" 

"I know" she hid her face in Ash's shoulder.

♡

"I didn't know you could make cookies" Fezco said as he helped heat up the oven while Lexi started putting the cookie dough on a tray in the shape she wanted.

"Well I didn't tell you, besides it's a special occasion there are a lot of guests" smiled Lexi enthusiastically, Fezco hugged her from behind and she took her hands which were on her stomach

"You like to be a good hostess right?" 

"Yes, it's what I knew how to do well you know, Attend to others" she spoke a little melancholy.

"Let's not think about that, now are you ready for the oven?" broke off Fezco as he opened the oven door.

"Yeah sure, here, I'll make another batch" Lexi took the tray and handed it to Fezco.

"Won't that be a lot of cookies?" Lexi shook her head.

"Well these will be for me, I'm craving them" she spoke offhandedly.

Fezco stared at Lexi, cravings, that shouldn't be a sign, no maybe not.

♡

After she let the cookies cool she took a batch and put them on the table along with tea for the girls, they thanked her for the gesture and Lexi marveled.

She then went to the kitchen and ate a cookie smiled and took it with her to her room, Fezco waited for her and the cats while she rifled through some receipts.

"They are ready and very tasty do you want one" He held out the plate, Fezco took one and ate it, he raised his eyebrow.

"Hey, this is really good". 

"I know I made them" she smiled satisfied and sat down next to him putting her head on his shoulder.

Fezco didn't notice anything unusual from there, until he saw that Lexi had almost finished the whole batch and he had barely eaten two.

"My love don't you think you're eating too many cookies, it could make you sick." 

"I'm just hungry, and they're delicious I didn't know I was such a good cook, tomorrow maybe I'll make a cake, yeah with strawberries I like strawberries" I ramble as I pop another cookie in her mouth.

"I know cutie, just moderate you want to I don't want you to get sick." 

"I won't get sick, take it easy." 

♡

After Ash's friends left, Lexi threw up in the bathroom, she had held in her nausea, she gave each of the kids a smile until she couldn't take it anymore and rushed upstairs to throw up.

Ash looked at Fezco quizzically.

"Is she okay?" 

"I think, I think I have an idea what she might be" Fezco spoke nervously as he had one foot already on the stairs.

"So is that good or bad?" Crossed his arms Ash .

"Believe me Ash it's more good than you think but I have to be sure, I'll be back soon" Fezco likewise walked up the stairs.

When they got to the bathroom Lexi was still vomiting and Fezco stood in the door frame, a while passed for Lexi to get up.

"Can you get me a glass of water please" she asked Fezco in a broken voice, he was quick for what she wanted.

When she arrived she handed Lexi the glass and Lexi took it.

"I hate throwing up" Lexi said as she wiped away the small tears.

"Lexi, I think maybe this is a sign."

The young girl looked at Fezco quizzically.

"A sign that...I.can" she faltered.

"Yes, I think that's it." 

"So, you mean I am, that maybe I'm pregnant" Lexi touched her belly.

"Lexi I think you are" he grabbed her face and Fezco had a nervous smile on his face, Lexi slowly began to smile until she hugged her husband.

"This can't be happening" she said in a whisper.

"It is, Lexi, we're going to have a family."

"I just told my mom about it but there was no sign." 

"Maybe it will just barely start to show, now maybe it's the size of a bean." 

Lexi laughed at the comment and gave him a long and slightly heated kiss, Fezco spun her around out of excitement knowing that they may already be parents, Lexi couldn't help a big smile.

"This is so unreal Fezco, it's what I always wanted but..." Fezco noticed the change in the atmosphere.

"What but there's..." 

"Your grandmother... we'll tell her?" 

Fezco stood static, he hadn't thought about it.

"She has to know, just like everyone else." 

"Yeah but we can wait, what if...I get to lose it." 

"You won't lose him, it won't happen but if you want to be sure I'll accept that decision." 

"Thank you" she gave him a tender kiss on the lips.

"I love you Fezco, and this baby that I think is growing in me." 

"Believe me Lexi it's a reality, you will have our baby that's for sure." 

♡

And the suspicions were confirmed by Lexi's constant vomiting and the fact that her bleedings had not arrived.

Ethan in the end did need Fezco and Ash's help to confirm what had happened at the school, so the chairman of the board agreed that Connor would be banned from the school, and that if he ever tempted Margaret's family there would be serious consequences for the boy's parents.

"Well I'm glad that all this has been solved, and I hope that there won't be another altercation" commented Ethan to Fezco "Thank you for coming today and that everything has already been solved, now you can be calm". 

"And you didn't lose your job too, that's good." 

"Yes, you can tell Lexi that I appreciate her good wishes." 

"Yeah, I'll tell her but Ethan can I ask you something?" 

"Sure." 

"You, ammm...maybe it sounds really ugly of me but, did you like Lexi?" 

Ethan was silent and shook his head.

"I must say there was a time when I felt something but, in the end I ended up falling in love with Katherine, and well that didn't ñlead to anything good." 

"But if I hadn't you know betrothed Lexi you would have tried, it's just that you two have so many things in common or that you get along." 

"There is no such thing as would have Fezco, things happen and you can regret it, besides just because you have things in common doesn't mean we could like each other."

Fezco was speechless at that

"She chose you Fezco, I think that's all you need." 

"Yeah, I'm sorry if it was impertinent it's just that I don't know." 

"You don't have to explain, I have to go I'll see you later" they shook hands, and Fezco just stared at him.

♡

Lexi was writing in her journal. 

"Dear Diary.

It's been months since I wrote, the last thing I put in was my meeting with Fezco I must say it was very dramatic of me to state that maybe he and I wouldn't like each other, now giving a review no doubt it all happened so fast.

Fezco loves me and I love him, it's what I always wanted maybe he was that young man in my dreams who adored me and asked me to dance, it's good now that he has a face.

I am pregnant we haven't told anyone, even Ash is so scattered he hasn't noticed, but it makes me sad when I think of Mrs. O'Neill I don't know what her reaction will be but happiness may be one of it.

I love the family I have now, it's not so depressing anymore because I'm not alone anymore." 

Lexi smiled at what she wrote and was about to put the journal away but Fezco arrived.

"You made it" Lexi got up to hug him, he accepted it.

"Yeah, everything turned out well, that Connor kid got what he deserved". 

"I'm glad, Ethan is still a teacher." 

"He's still a teacher" 

"I'm glad for him" 

They broke apart and Fezco put his hands on Lexi's belly.

"Changing the subject, how are you feeling, any cravings, have you been keeping well fed I don't want anything to be lacking for you and this baby" 

"I'm fine, I ate well and now I was writing." 

"Ah really, it's in your diary" I commented offhandedly but I didn't know a little difference would happen.

"Yeah, did I tell you I had one?" she asked quizzically.

"Am...no I just assumed." 

Lexi noticed the nervousness in his words.

"Fezco tell me the truth how did you know I had a diary" she folded her arms.

"I well, you know am...I may have...read it." 

"You did what?!?!?" I exclaimed angrily .

"I'm really sorry, I saw it and I thought it was about poems but I'm really sorry." 

"Wait did you read it?" 

"Lexi" he spoke guiltily.

"Tell me did you read it yes or no?" 

Fezco nodded and Lexi shook her head offended but recreating a thought. 

offended but recreating a thought.

"So you read my diary, so you don't like me, you just felt sorry for me?" 

"That not at all, that's beside the point Lexi, I did read it it was wrong but, I didn't feel sorry, I had the feeling of wanting to love you to protect you you went through a lot just like me and I wanted to make you happy, I love you." 

"You really mean it, I didn't feel sorry that girl was sad and that no one loved her." 

"Everyone was foolish not to appreciate you but I do, Ash does, my grandma does, everyone in this house appreciates you and loves you Lexi, if I read your journal it was to know more about you, but I unintentionally fell in love with the girl I was both physically and on paper" 

Lexi began to cry and Fezco hugged her.

"I'm sorry I read something so intimate, I was going to tell you but I didn't think it was necessary, it would be my little secret." 

"You should have told me" 

"I'm sorry, you can hide it if you want to." 

"No, I want you to read what I wrote now." 

"Lexi it's not personal plus it's not very moral of me it's your stuff" 

"But now I want you to read it, this is no longer about that girl you read about before." 

Lexi took her journal and handed it to Fezco.

"Now I just hope this journal is about my life as your wife, as the future mother I will be and the good times and bad times ahead" 

Fezco took the paper but before he kissed his wife on the forehead, Lexi smiled weakly at him she put her hands on Fezco's chest, stood on her tiptoes and kissed him warmly.

"Fezco, Lexi!" there was a sudden knock on the door, They both jumped up and opened the door Ash stood with tears in her eyes.

"Ash! What's wrong?" Lexi asked

"It's grandma she, she won't stop touching blood and she asked me to call you." 

"Oh my god,Ash" Lexi hugged the teenager and Fezco started walking to the room.

"Lexi stay with Ash, don't come to the room" Fezco demanded seriously. 

"But Fezco" 

"No, I don't want anything to happen to you, call the doctor please" 

Lexi nodded and took Ash's hand to go get the doctor.

Fezco just hoped today wouldn't be the day.

Chapter Text

Fezco entered his grandmother's room and didn't expect her sheets to be stained with blood.

"Grandma, I'm here how do you feel what can I help you with?"

His grandmother who had tears in her eyes just shook her head.

Fezco wanted to sit on the bed but his grandmother denied him.

"You have to get out of here Fez, I don't want it to be contagious."

"It won't be, but how did this happen, why are the sheets so stained with blood?"

"Because I ran out of tissues, they're all covered in blood already."

Her grandmother sighed loudly and said.

"I don't think there is time for me anymore."

"Grandma you must resist"

Her grandmother lay down on the bed, Fezco took the sheets and changed them for others.

"Rest yes, the doctor will come soon".

"And what will Fezco say, the same, that I don't have time anymore".

"I don't know but, I want to tell you something important" Fezco took his grandmother's hand and she looked at him curiously.

"What is it?"

"Lexi, Lexi is pregnant."

His grandmother fell silent and smiled sadly.

"That's good news, Congratulations on you two."

"Thank you but what I'm getting at is that I want you to see it, you have to fight to see my baby."

"Fezco I don't think that's possible."

Fezco wiped away the tears quickly.

Maybe it was true, his grandmother would not see his baby grow up, nor the future children he would have with Lexi, he would not see his family grow Ash have someone by his side, that will no longer be possible, he must face reality, his grandmother is no longer going to be around.

The doctor arrived immediately, both Lexi and Ash were outside the room and were hugging each other.

"She'll pull herself together won't she?" asked Ash next to Lexi, the woman just hugged him tighter.

"I don't know Ash, I guess, I guess we have to wait."

They were both silent but Ash thought about Fezco's earlier words.

"Why didn't Fezco want you to come into the room?" the boy asked.

"The reason is because, I'm pregnant Ash, Fezco doesn't want me to maybe have a strong change of emotions and that may be harmful to our baby."

Ash was surprised and broke away from Lexi.

"Are you guys going to have a baby."

The young woman nodded and Ash stood silently processing the information.

"I don't see you that far along."

"Little by little."

"I'll be a good uncle?"

"I think you'll be the best."

♡

"We can talk in private Mr. O'Neill" stated the doctor as he turned away from Marie, Marie was already asleep.

Fezco approached the doctor and he shook his head.

"Mr. O'Neill I am afraid to inform you that your grandmother is in a very serious condition, the only thing I can offer you is to be vigilant as it is very likely that between today or tomorrow she will pass away."

Fezco nodded without saying anything, the doctor understood and with that he left.

Lexi and Ash watched the doctor leave, Fezco also left, and went to his family.

"Ash let me talk to Lexi" Fezco stated coldly.

"No, if it's about grandma I should know."

"Ash, this is too much even for you, so let me talk to Lexi now."

"No"

"Fine then" he sighed half-heartedly "grandma can die today or tomorrow."

Lexi began to shed tears as she hugged Ash and for her part he was perplexed.

"So I'll stay guarding her in her room, I don't want her to come in agree."

"But Fezco..."

"Lexi I want your well being, I don't want this to affect you anymore, so I'll be with grandma and I'll wait for what I have to wait for."

Lexi pulled away from Ash and took Fezco's face in her hands.

"Be strong as long as you can, but remember I'm here, I love you Fezco."

"I know, I love you too Lexi."

They both smiled bitterly, and gave each other a short kiss.

"We'll be downstairs, for anything, go to your grandmother Fezco."

The man nodded, looked at Ash and gave him a quick hug.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this Ash."

"Me too."

♡

The afternoon for everyone in the house was getting slow, Ash and Lexi were silent as they petted the kittens that had joined them in the living room, Lexi was Holding back tears so as not to affect Ash, while the boy was so scared of what was about to happen.

Fezco on the other hand was clenching his fists every time he saw his grandmother moan in pain or when he saw blood in her mouth, this was the hardest part for him witnessing the pain of a loved one is something he never liked.

"Fezco, where are you?" Grandma asked a little delirious.

"I'm here grandma, don't worry"

"My cute little boy, always so responsible, remember to take care of that baby yes, remember to take care of your family."

"I'll do it grandma"

"Ash, my little Ash I love him so much."

"He loves you too grandma"

"Lexi deserves the best"

"She's already getting it"

Marie began to slowly close her eyes.

"I love you" with a shed tear and a weak sigh, Marie left this world where she was able to fulfill her inner desire to see her grandson happily married even if it was by engagement, she knows her grandson had a lot of love to give, but now she will no longer be able to see him.

Fezco tried to wake his grandmother but it was too late, she started to cry letting out all the sadness and loss, she left the room and went with Lexi and her brother downstairs.

They both looked at him waiting for them to talk but Fezco just nodded and Lexi covered her mouth stood up.

"Fezco, I'm so sorry" Lexi spoke to hug him.

"She kept thinking about all of us "the man said between sobs.

"I know, I know she loved her family so much."

Fezco nodded, and looked at Ash who was crying as well, the couple went over to the boy and cried with him.

"It will be all right Ash, this is part of life, I don't want you to be bitter about it yes, grandma wouldn't have liked it" Encouraged the older brother to the little boy this one could only say.

"I'm going to miss her"

"We all will."

♡

Lexi went to tell her mother the news while Fezco was in charge of the burial, Suze upon hearing the news felt so bad about the situation.

"Oh Lexi, poor Fezco and Ash must be heartbroken."

"They are handling it well but I know it hurts them so much, Mrs. Marie was the one who raised them practically."

"I know, now Lexi this is where you still show that you are there for your husband, that no matter what happens you are there for him."

"Yes, then would you like to join us for the funeral?"

"Of course I would, daughter."

"Thank you, although I think I'll be away for a little while."

"What do you mean?"

"It's just that...I'm pregnant mom".

Suze met her mouth with tears in her eyes, Lexi looked at her belly that still showed no signs of swelling but her mother hugged her tightly.

"Lexi, my little Lexi, I'm sorry you have to go through all this."

Lexi cried in her mother's arms.

"Fezco told her she was happy, but it didn't last long mom, Mrs. Marie loved me and I loved her, she won't see my baby I wanted her to see him" she spoke through her tears.

"Calm down Lexi it's ok, things happen by the lake as my mother used to say sometimes people perish but new life comes with it, don't feel bad ok I know Mrs. Marie loved you, but you have to be strong for your family."

Lexi nodded as she continued to cry.

♡

Fezco put on a black suit for the occasion, Lexi entered the room and they looked at each other for a while without saying anything, Lexi changed into a mourning dress and put on the necklace that Fezco had given her, the man was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"My mother is downstairs she wants to give you condolences" he sat down next to him, Fezco took Lexi's hands.

"It's okay, I don't expect many people to come."

"Did you tell Rue?"

"Yes, she'll be here in a little while with Jules."

They stood holding hands for a while longer.

"How are you, haven't you been feeling sick?" Touching his wife's belly, she smiled sadly at him.

"A little, but it's more emotional you know, I'm trying to keep my mind strong so nothing happens to our baby."

"They should be fine yes, I don't want anything to happen to them."

"We'll be fine, my love" she gave him a kiss on the lips, Fezco finished the kiss and settled on Lexi's chest, Lexi nuzzled the back of his neck.

"This isn't how I imagined it, you know."

"Lose nothing is as we thought but we're in this together, I won't abandon you."

Fezco again shed tears on Lexi's dress, Lexi said nothing, but the man now more than ever needed those words.

♡

"I am so sorry for your loss Fezco, Marie was a very good woman, with all the virtues of a strong woman" spoke Suze hugging her son-in-law, he accepted it.

Lexi went to Ash, Fezco and Suze separated from the embrace.

"Thank you for being here Mrs. Howard, I really appreciate it."

"All for you boy, besides Lexi already told me about her pregnancy, things don't go as we hope but at least you should be okay for my daughter, my grandson and your brother."

"I'll be fine, I'll take good care of my family."

"I'm glad to hear that" I smile at him.

Rue arrived.along with Jules hugged Fezco tightly.

"I'm so sorry about this Fezco, Your grandmother was a strong woman she would not be knocked down".

"I know, thank you for coming."

"I'll be here, you're my friend."

They all left in a wagon to go to the cemetery, Lexi was holding Fezco's hand all the way, Ash was next to Fezco without saying anything.

Upon arriving at the cemetery, Suze decided that her daughter needed to be a little out of the way because of her pregnancy, a bad omen could happen.

Lexi didn't believe in such things, but she had to be safe for her baby.

Several people were already at the place where Marie was to be buried, acquaintances and merchants who had grown up with Fezco's grandmother.

And so, the atud was placed in the ground while a priest spoke about death, that it would be in the path of God and that at some point the souls would meet again.

Fezco did not cry because he preferred to cry in the arms of his beloved than to show it to others, and he knows that Ash did too.

But the boy was surprised to see his friends from school, maybe Lexi warned them.

The children approached.

"We're sorry for your loss Ash" spoke Benedict.

"This must be very hard for you."

Margaret said.

And all the children hugged Ash, he remained static but accepted the appreciation they already had for him.

At the end they waited for Fezco to say a few words.

"My grandmother was a very strong woman and did not let herself be fooled, she showed me many things about life, sometimes we argued but I will miss all the talks we had before her death, she introduced me to my wife and I am certainly grateful for that" he looked at Lexi and she smiled warmly "and the truth is I am not very good with words but I will miss her, I wish I had seen what I was just starting, I love her, she loved me and my brother".

All started clapping, Lexi walked over to him and hugged him.

♡

After going to the cemetery everyone gave condolences to the family, only Rue and Jules stayed with Lexi and Fezco.

Ash thanked his friends for coming to support him, they said they hoped to see him soon at school and that they would go visit him so he wouldn't feel bad, more Margaret.

"No shit Lexi!" Rue exclaimed as she walked up to Lexi and touched her belly.

"No shit you're pregnant you fucking Fezco what have you done" she said with some anger and both Lexi and Fezco laughed.

"Is it a bad thing, as far as I know having my child is good we'll be a family"

"Yes but not so soon"

"Rue it's what I want, plus you'll be an aunt."

"Yes, I hope it's a girl"

"I think we all want that"

"I'll buy her pretty dresses" said Jules as she sipped her tea. "She'll be very spoiled that girl".

"What if it's a boy?"

"Likewise."

"Well in spite of all this, I'm happy for you guys, I never imagined you'd be a family."

"Believe me neither did we."

♡

Months passed and now if Lexi's belly was showing day by day, Fezco always hugged her tightly in fear of losing her, but Lexi always reassured him saying that she was not waiting for the time to hold her baby in her arms.

Rue, Jules and even Suze were coming to visit the mother-to-be bringing gifts like blankets, pillows and so on for her baby.

Now Fezco and Lexi were lying together as they were both rubbing their bulging bellies enjoying the quiet.

"I've been thinking of names for our baby, have you thought of any?"

"Yes, but enlighten me with the ones you like best" he said as he began to stroke his wife's hair.

"I was thinking Maryanne, Odette, and Marisa if it's a girl."

"I like Maryanne, you can call her Anne."

"Yeah I like that one anyway, if it's a boy he can be named Marlon or Matthew"

"Why are they all with M's, is it because of my grandmother?"

Lexi nodded.

"Your grandmother had a nice name I want at least our baby to have something to honor her."

"As always thinking of everything, I like all those names."

"And what did you think, she can have two names, even as many as we want but that would be too exhausting."

Fezco laughed underneath.

"I would like her name to be Anelis and if it's a boy Bobby I like it "

"They are very cute I think when it's in our arms we'll know what name."

Fezco hugged Lexi tighter.

"Do you think I'll be a good father?"

"I think you'll be the best, do you think I'll be a good mom?"

"You'll be more than better" They both kissed tenderly.

♡

"Fezco that feels good" the woman sighed as her husband rubbed her clitoris, she laid her head on her husband's shoulder letting the sensations take over.

Fezco was focused on making his wife come, it had been a while since he had made her feel good.

Lexi on the other hand was rubbing her breasts as they had gotten heavier from the milk.

"Ah please Fezco I need you inside" she moaned desperately.

"You want me so bad wife?"

"Yes please" she felt a prick of arousal run as he slipped his fingers inside her, Fezco began kissing his wife's cheek and neck.

"Fuck Lexi, I love you so much, I love how you are taking good care of our baby."

He increased his finger movements more causing more moans from the woman.

"Are you ready to take me?" I whisper.

"Yes please."

He laid her on her stomach and prepared to penetrate her from behind, they both adjusted well and he continued to ram into her.

"Yes, Fezco please."

"Please what my love?"

"Harder, please"

"Are you sure?"

"Just do it" and he continued with the punishing movements for both of them, the moans of both of them could be heard in the room, and sweat was permeating their bodies until they ended up exhausted on their bed.

Lexi after having sex fell asleep fast which Fezco was very amused by and gave her a kiss on the nose for goodnight.

Fezco thought about how life goes on, how despite the pain that the death of a loved one can cause it is still in you but in a mild way because you know that person would have liked you not to be sad, his grandmother didn't want that for Fezco.

From the beginning she wanted her happiness and now she has it and will always have it with Lexi by her side, with Ash, and her son.

Things changed drastically which Fezco liked, he thanks his grandmother for proposing to make him marry Lexi, because if she hadn't, everything that happened is what he would be missing out on.

"I love you Lexi" he whispered before falling asleep.

"And I love you, I love you" She spoke sleepily as she cupped his face and stroked his beard "Thank you for being my only suitor."

Fezco smiled.

"Thanks to you for waiting, even if it didn't turn out the way you hoped."

"It was better."

They smiled in complicity, and Both slept peacefully, looking forward to the next days of their beloved life.

Chapter Text

Fezco was asleep when he felt a small body on the bed when he turned he saw Bobby lying next to Lexi the 3 month old baby was peacefully asleep, just like his mother, Fezco smiled and gave a kiss on the back of the neck to both of them but when he wanted to go back to sleep he couldn't because he heard some steps in the distance, he saw how his daughters entered the room, Fezco pretended he was still sleeping.

"They're still sleeping Anne do you think it's a good idea to wake them up" whispered the younger sister.

"I thought they would be awake, we can come back later" she suggested.

"Oh why don't they lie down next to us" whispered Fezco.

The girls smiled and went to hug their father.

"Good morning daddy" exclaimed both girls happily.

"Good morning you two" he said as he gave them a kiss on the forehead.

"Good morning Mommy" said Anelis as she saw that her mother was waking up too, she got up carefully to put Bobby in the crib and watched her daughters arrive with her.

"Is he still asleep?" asked Maryanne.

"Yes, he woke up early to eat but he's still now, don't make too much noise yes."

The girls nodded and lay down on the bed, Lexi accompanied them and by Fezco all his girls were with him.

"Good morning, did you sleep well?"

"Yes, we came to wake you up so you can do our hair mommy" Maryanne said as she hugged her.

"Yes for Uncle Ash's wedding" Anelis stressed.

Fezco smiled, today Ash was going to take the big step to marry Margaret who knew.

"Right, today is a big day, they already have their dresses ready."

"Yes mommy."

"Good, then why don't we better have breakfast and then I'll get them ready for the wedding."

The girls got up excited for breakfast.

"Yes, I want strawberries" said Anelis happily.

"Me too"

"Good, go downstairs while your mother and I talk" encouraged the father, the girls frowned.

"But make it quick yes, we don't want to eat breakfast alone."

The girls ran to go to the dining room.

Lexi walked up to Fezco and kissed him warmly.

"Good morning."

"Good morning to you too."

"You're ready for today"

"I never thought this day would come"

"Neither did I but I'm happy for Ash"

"Time goes by so fast"

"And the clock will keep ticking"

♡

Maryanne's birth was difficult for both Lexi and Fezco, everything was going normal like any other day in comparison Fezco was attending to a rather demanding buyer, Lexi was with Faye preparing the food for the afternoon,Lexi was already feeling some discomfort but didn't think anything of it when suddenly the water broke in the middle of the kitchen.

Both women panicked but Faye helped as best she could Lexi upstairs, she went for the midwife as fast as she could, pitifully Lexi was left alone and just calming her breathing while holding back the urge to cry, at that the door was heard and Ash appeared.

"Lexi what's going on!" Said the frightened boy as he approached her on the bed.

"The baby is coming go tell Fezco please, Faye went for the midwife."

"But I can't leave you alone, what do I do?"

"Just hold my hand yes, as they arrive."

The child nodded and took the expectant mother's hand, Faye arrived as fast as she could.

Ash ran to the place where his brother would be and warned him.

"Fezco, the baby is coming!" he shouted in alarm, Fezco immediately stood up.

"Lexi" whispered Fezco said goodbye and both siblings returned home.

Faye told them to stay in the living room as they could not go inside, Fezco was now breathing deeply and shaking his foot out of nervousness, the kittens arrived to calm as always their owners.

Lexi on the other hand felt her soul would be gone, her baby had to come into this world now, she pushed as hard as she could she knew she was all red in the face from the pain until she felt she didn't need it anymore, and she was right because a loud squeal was heard.

"Congratulations ma'am, you are a beautiful baby girl!"

Lexi cried with happiness and relief that her baby was healthy, they bathed the baby and Lexi finished removing all the placenta from her body.

The midwife put her baby in her arms and Lexi smiled at her.

"I'll tell Fezco he can come up, Good job Lexi, Congratulations" Faye said with a smile.

"Thank you."

Fezco didn't wait for Faye to say anything as he quickly walked up to the room and saw Lexi a little tired but holding her son, it's a scene he would never erase from his mind.

"Fezco, come look she wants to meet you" Lexi spoke bringing him out of his state of shock, the father walked over and looked at the little baby in his wife's arms.

"It's a girl" he handed the baby in his arms and Fezco's heart swelled.

"Lexi is wonderful, you did well, she is healthy and strong" he looked at the baby who was wide eyed gazing at her father the little girl snuggled better in her father's arms.

Lexi began to cry, and so did Fezco.

"Thank you for giving me this family."

"Likewise my love"

"So what shall we name her"

"Maryanne Elizabeth O'Neill Howard" spoke Fezco, Lexi touched her daughter's cheek, that day was the beginning as parents.

♡

"So I read that book about fairy tales and the truth is that one really scared me" said Anelis to her mother as she combed her hair

"Oh really my love" said the mother interestedly.

"Yes, the stepsisters cut off parts of their feet to make the slipper fit, I really think it was a bad decision to read that book" spoke Anelis the girl was more like Lexi because of her light brown hair in curls but today she wanted her mother to make her a braid for the occasion with pale pink ribbons, she was very shy but once you got to know her her true self came out, she liked to read several books even though now Lexi must review books suitable for her daughter.

"There you look beautiful" her mother said in her ear, the girl looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.

"Thank you mommy it looked great, can you help me with my dress."

"In a moment now Maryanne wants me to fix it."

"That's ok I'll go see daddy and Bobby".

"Yes my love be careful"

♡

Being first time parents was exhausting, Maryanne needed a lot of attention between feeding her, changing her and getting her to stop crying it was certainly wearing them out, so Ash decided to do them a favor and take his niece to the garden while they slept.

But like the innocent dove that Ash is, Fezco and Lexi didn't use the time to sleep, but rather to return to certain marital activities.

They hadn't had sex since the baby was born and they were both so needy, and horny for the simple fact of proving what good parents they were in any situation.But to the family's dismay, Lexi became pregnant again.

"God, Lexi, another baby, you barely have Maryanne," exclaimed a bewildered Rue as she went to visit them, holding Maryanne in her arms.

Lexi began to cry and Rue tried to cheer her up, the mother was devastated that she didn't expect to get pregnant so quickly again but that didn't mean the family didn't love her, they were just as happy with the wait.

♡

"Bobby be very pretty daddy, I like his suit" said Anelis as she played with her baby brother the little boy smiled for his sister and babbled.

"He's an O'Neill he must be handsome just like everyone else."

Anelis smiled at the comment

"I look pretty?"

"You look perfect."

The little girl hugged her father

"I love you daddy"

"Me too, you can watch Bobby for me as long as I see your uncle Ash, I don't come down for breakfast"

"Yeah I got it"

"Okay."

♡

Ash was a great uncle to the sisters, he taught them to read, played tea parties with them, and even taught them how to ride horses.

But even Ash as time went by began to develop a strong friendship with Benedict and Thomas, they were always going back and forth, Ash helped a lot so they could get a steady job after school, and it was something they always thanked him for.

Ash and Margaret remained friends for a while, it was more common to see the young girl at home than Ash's other two friends, Margaret also took care of Fezco and Lexi's daughters, she read them poems and even taught them how to make flower crowns, Ash decided to start to pretend to Margaret, since many boys were after her as well.So it was decided one day when the girls were far away and Lexi was pregnant with Bobby.

"So Ash what did you want to talk to us for?"

"I amm...it's something I've been thinking about but I need your advice."

"What's it about?" Fezco asked.

"I'm going to start pretending to Margaret" he said nervously and in a whisper for a 19 year old he was still nervous about talking about this love stuff.

Lexi smiled with joy.

"Ash that's really good news, do it, do it, you can tell Margaret loves you so much."

"And I her then I decided I should do this."

"We support you in this brother, go and win that girl's heart."

He smiled at him in like manner Fezco proud of his brother.

Ash nodded, and so the young man over the months began to win even more the heart of that girl who received him kindly at school.

Margaret was not a girl of gifts, she was more about actions and nice words, Lexi guided him to succeed in his conquest and so it was.

A few months after Bobby was born, Ash proposed to Margaret in the garden he beautifully decorated.

"Yes, Ash I will marry you" sobbed the girl with joy, which even Ash did too.

"You're crying, my love"

"I don't have something in my eye"

Margaret smiled fondly and kissed him.

♡

"How are you bro, ready for the big day, do you need anything?" asked Fezco entering the young man's room.

Ash was looking at himself in the mirror.

"I'm fine just if I sit still the nerves will pass."

Both brothers looked at each other and Fezco walked over to sit next to him.

"I didn't expect to see the day when you would get married."

"Believe me neither did I but Margaret is what I want she is the one I love the most in this world right now and I want to give her everything, you felt that way with Lexi, when you started falling in love?"

"Yes loving Lexi was new to me but when I got to know her more in depth, I infinitely loved her personality and how she radiates with every action she does."

"Man we have it bad right?"

"Yes, but I prefer that you know, loving is something that sometimes men are not allowed to do as much, the only thing we have is the responsibility of financially supporting the family but, we can handle love and family because that's what grandma taught us and I hope you know how to handle it."

"I will, do you think she would have been happy?"

"Ash she would have been thrilled."

The young man smiled forlornly, sometimes in his melancholy moments Ash remembered his grandmother, and how he needed her in these special moments, but deep inside Ash knows it's okay.

♡

"But look how beautiful they looked" Fezco said waiting for his family, His daughters smiled beaming in their white dresses as Maryanne the ring bearer and Anelis as the flower lady.

"Thank you daddy, mommy looks pretty too doesn't she?" asked Maryanne casually, Lexi was wearing a sky blue dress, with lace on the chest and underneath the dress."She always looks beautiful."

"Fezco stop it you're making me blush" Lexi said as she came downstairs with Bobby in her arms.

"Let me take this little one" helped Fezco carry him, Lexi gave Fezco a kiss on the cheek.

"You look handsome, dear husband."

Fezco smiled flirtatiously

"No more than you my lady"

Lexi blushed and shook her head in amusement.

"Well it's time, Ash is ready"

"I'm here" the young man said from behind her back, Lexi looked at him from head to toe and smiled, then proceeded to hug him.

"Ash you look great, I can't believe you're getting married today."

"Me neither if I'm being honest but I've been looking forward to it for so long."

"I know."

Lexi had been there for Ash and he thanked her endlessly for being by his side every moment, from his angers to the calm and peaceful days they shared.

♡

Fezco carried Bobby Lexi was by his side, Lexi's mother said she would come to lunch, Ash was already at the altar they made in the garden and from there the violins began to play to welcome the bride, first Maryanne passed calmly, Anelis followed putting the flower petals on the path for the bride to enter, Margaret looked beautiful in her dress, she was on her father's arm and carried a bouquet of blue and white flowers.

Ash smiled shyly and held out his hand to Margaret who accepted it and the ceremony began.

Lexi leaned her head on her husband's shoulder to listen.

♡

"Fuck Ash, you're already a man who knew" Rue said to Ash as the ceremony ended.

"Shut up, but thanks" Ash said as he saw Margaret was holding Bobby and making him dance, while Fezco and Lexi were doing the same with their daughters.

♡

"Grandma Marie and Grandma Suze put them together ?" Maryanne asked, it was a few days before her uncle's wedding when they asked the how her parents met.

The parents nodded

"But then they fell in love " Anelis stressed.

"That's right" Lexi affirmed as she held Bobby in her arms sleeping.

"Oh that's so romantic mommy."

"They'll do the same thing to us."

"No of course not you guys fell in love with someone and we will accept that person since it will make you happy" encouraged their mother, Fezco grimaced a little.

"But I hope it will take time for that and it won't be a good for nothing" Lexi took him by the arm amused.

"My calm love,for that it must be years".

"You say that but look" I throne my fingers fezco "time goes by so fast we don't even notice"

The girls smiled and hugged their father.

"Don't worry daddy, we still don't like kids".

"Yeah who needs it."

Fezco smiled at that, and Lexi was touched but then thought of her sister, Cassie was safe from the clutches of the Jacobs but now she was with another man from a good family who had protected her, but the price was that he would abandon his son Noah with Suze.

Cassie wasn't good at making decisions, Nate didn't even claim Noah, and she hated that idiot for ruining her sister's life.

♡

Suze had arrived with Noah and no doubt bore an exceptional resemblance to Nathaniel, but Noah was kind-hearted and loved his grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins.

"Congratulations both bride and groom, Little Ash you are already married" Suze spoke to Ash, he grimaced.

"Thank you, even though I'm not little anymore."

"For me yes"

Noah was with his cousins playing hide and seek.

"Mom how are you?"

"Good, everything's great, Noah as usual is no problem, Cassie came to visit him."

"How was that?" asked Fezco, Suze carried her youngest grandson, while sipping a glass of wine.

"Well Cassie loves that boy, but you know the love of men makes her blind."

"I feel bad for both of them," said Lexi.

"You shouldn't, decisions were made and I think the best thing Cassie could have done is to leave him with me instead of being in a place where he would possibly be mistreated, who better than us to give him a family."

"Yes, he is a good boy, he will be a good man, better than his father."

"Believe me daughter he will be better than that idiot".

And he was...

♡

"I think this is the part where I cry the most" Lexi said hugging Ash.

"Don't say that I'll be back soon"

"Not so soon, enjoy, love Margaret, take good care of her"

"I will thank you for being there Lexi, I love you"

"And I love you Ash, you were always such a cute little boy and so quiet, now look at you when you're all grown up"

"And you're a mother too, you love my brother and I hope you'll keep it up"

"It will and I hope you will too"

"So it will be"

They both separated and the girls approached their uncle."Bye Uncle Ash, will you be back soon?" Anelis asked.

"So soon, don't worry about me girls I will bring you souvenirs where I will go yes."

"Yes we love you uncle Ash" said the girls in unison.

"And I you brats!"

The girls laughed and hugged their uncle one last time.

"Bye Margaret, we love you and enjoy your trip with Ash" spoke Lexi to Margaret.

"Thank you Mrs. O'Neill"

"Hey you're already a Mrs. O'Neill too!"

The young woman blushed and nodded.

"See you Aunt Margaret"

"Bye bye lovelies, I'll be over soon to make our wreaths"

"Yes and you can bring a baby with you"

Lexi and Margaret continued to blush, and signaled Anelis to lower her voice.

Luckily Fezco and Ash didn't hear what the girl said they were talking about another matter.

"Then you know what you have to do."

"Yes thanks to you, Benedict and Thomas I have a vision of what I'm supposed to do" he spoke a little heatedly.

"Well you know what's best for you."

"Yes, yes."

Fezco hugged him out of the blue

"I'm going to miss you"

"I'm only going away for a few days"

"But you haven't been gone long and now you're married, I'm proud of you."

Ash felt a tear run down his cheek.

"And I of you"

They both parted, she looked at Margaret who was waiting for her and they climbed into the carriage.

They said goodbye to the newlyweds no doubt all shed Tears for young Ashton.♡

"Okay it's time for bed girls" spoke Lexi, the girls nodded and put on their sleep robes.

"Yes mommy, can you kiss me goodnight" settled Maryanne on her bed first.

"Me too" spoke Anelis.

Fezco arrived in time to see Lexi kiss her daughters goodnight.

"Sleep well, dream of the Angels."

"Goodnight mommy, we love you."

"And your daddy?"

"We love him too"

Fezco smiled at them gave the girls a kiss and went with Lexi to her room.

Bobby was already asleep in his crib, Lexi went to check on her son.

"He's so sleepy."

Fezco came up behind her.

"Very comfortable."

"Yes, I need to get out of this dress."

"Let me do that for you, I see you're wearing the necklace I gave you" she said as she began to untie it from the back

"Yeah, I never take it off, I thought you knew"

"I know but I like it when you emphasize it".

They both started kissing each other with a heat that is starting, after so much time they both couldn't get enough of each other's bodies and what they generated in them.Fezco and Lexi didn't expect this kind of love, the kind they talk about in books, the kind that is forever, they thought they would be destined for something different full of awkwardness or no love, but they were glad that being old souls in love they went through this, for a loved and cherished family.

And when they looked at each other for the last time before they went to sleep, they knew that all would be well, that their daughters would be in their arms again, that Bobby would be a happy baby and that things are blissful for everyone they know.

What more could they ask for.

Chapter Text

This is something extra I found this page where you can make characters and the one I found looked exactly like the costumes that Lexi wears in this fanfic so enjoy....

When She Meet Fezco

Wedding dress

Dress of the ball chapter

Marie's Funeral

Lexi adult