TWENTY

"So, you'll come to the office, and then we'll head to the doctor's appointment," Xander says, his voice steady as he finishes his cup of coffee.

"Sure," Cara responds, nodding as she casually picks up Cassie's untouched juice from the table, having already finished her own. Cassie narrows her eyes at her, and Cara gives a playful, sheepish smile in return.

Xander shrugs on his coat, crossing the room to where Cara sits. As he leans down to grab a document beside her, Cara, thinking he's leaning in for a kiss, instinctively pecks him on the cheek.

They both freeze, caught in the unexpected contact. Xander straightens up abruptly, his hand lingering on the document for a beat too long. "S-see you later," he stammers, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Equally flustered, Cara nods, her embarrassment painting her face a deep shade of red. Xander lets out a low, nervous chuckle before he exits the room, leaving a trail of awkwardness in his wake.

For a few moments, the room is silent, the air thick with unspoken words. Finally, Cassie breaks the ice, her tone teasing, "What was that?"

Cara groans, covering her face with her hands. "Oh my God," she mumbles through her fingers, the reality of the situation sinking in.

Cassie isn't about to let it go. "You have to tell me what's going on between you two," she says, her eyebrows wiggling suggestively.

"I don't know what you mean," Cara replies, feigning innocence as she slowly lowers her hands.

Cassie rolls her eyes, unamused. "Please, don't pretend you didn't hook up in the cellar last week."

Cara's mind flashes back to that night. They did hook up. Twice. And it hadn't stopped there. All week, she's been replaying those moments in her mind, barely giving a thought to what they might mean beyond the undeniable chemistry.

"I was just distracting him so you could find the cup and win the car for both of us, which you did. You should be thanking me," Cara says, flipping her hair dramatically, trying to deflect the conversation.

"Oh yeah?" Cassie snorts. "I'm not saying anything because you seem happy, but..."

"No buts," Cara cuts in, her tone firm. "It's just sex. Besides, it's not like I can get pregnant again."

Cassie gives her a pointed look. "Where's Xavier, anyway?"

Cara frowns. "I don't know. It's weird that he's not down yet. He's usually the first to come down for breakfast."

~~~~~

"Sir, you have a visitor," Xander's secretary announces over the intercom.

"Let them in," Xander replies, his mind already on the investor he's scheduled to meet that afternoon. He figures they must be early.

Xander keeps his focus on the paperwork in front of him, trying to stay busy, to keep his thoughts from drifting.

The door opens, but Xander doesn't look up right away, too absorbed in the signatures and figures in front of him. It's only when he hears a familiar, soft voice that his pen stills.

"Alex."

The single word sends chills down his spine, freezing him in place. Slowly, he lifts his head, and there she is—Liza, standing in the doorway, looking as stunning as ever in a red sundress that shows off her tanned skin and long legs. Her blonde hair, curled to perfection, frames her face in a way that makes her look almost ethereal.

"What are you doing here?" Xander asks, his voice colder than he intends, a frown creasing his brow.

"I remember promising you that I'd always be here, especially on this day," Liza says softly as she steps further into the room. "I'm keeping that promise."

Today. The anniversary of his parents' death. The day he narrowly escaped the same fate. It's why Xander has packed his schedule so full, trying to outrun the memories that always threaten to overwhelm him.

"Please, let me keep my promise," Liza whispers, taking his hand in hers. "Let me do this."

Xander hesitates. Having company today might not be so bad, even if it's Liza. At least she understands. She knows the weight of this day, the misery it brings.

~~~~~

"Are you at Xander's office yet?" Cassie asks, her voice crackling through the phone.

"Almost," Cara replies, shifting her phone slightly as she looks out the window at the passing cityscape. The buildings blur together in a mix of steel and glass.

"By the way, I talked to Jonathan. He told me today is the day Xavier and Alexander lost their parents."

"Oh," Cara whispers, the weight of that information settling over her like a heavy blanket. "That's why Xavier wasn't at the breakfast table this morning."

"Yeah, he went to visit their graves."

Xander didn't act any different this morning. Quiet, as always. But now, knowing the significance of today, Cara can't help but think of how much more difficult it must be for him. He's always been so good at hiding his emotions.

"Thanks for letting me know," Cara says, ending the call with a renewed resolve. She's going to make this day better for Xander, no matter how much he tries to push her away.

~~~~

"I hated camping, and I told you that a thousand times," Liza says, laughing as she recalls the memory.

"So there was no bear?" Xander asks, his voice full of fake surprise. He already knew she'd lied about seeing a bear in the woods when they were setting up their tents.

"And no Wi-Fi, which is more horrifying than any bear," Liza adds, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder.

Xander chuckles, shaking his head. Despite himself, he can't help but smile. Liza notices, her heart warming at the sight. She's missed his smile. She's missed him.

Liza crosses her legs, trying to draw his attention to her long, tanned legs that are now even more apparent from the couch Xander is seated on. Xander tries to keep his eyes from wandering, but it's a losing battle.

"Why are we doing this to ourselves?" Liza asks, scooting closer to the edge of the couch, her tone suddenly serious.

"What?" Xander looks up from her legs, realizing how stupid it is to be here with her, given their history.

"Can't we just solve this? I miss us, and I've apologized time and time again. We always get back together, and now we're adding people to the equation who will get hurt..."

"You mean Cara, the woman who's carrying my children," Xander says, standing up, the comfort of the couch suddenly unbearable.

"Yeah, don't even get me started on her," Liza says, rolling her eyes as she thinks about what she sees as Xander's downgrade. "You shouldn't be mad at me. According to my calculations of her pregnancy, you cheated too."

Xander feels his temper rising, a tightness in his chest that's hard to control. "I cheated?" He can't believe what he's hearing. "You have no right. I never cheated on you, not in all the years we were together."

"Then how did..." Liza starts, but Xander cuts her off.

"I don't owe you any explanation."

Liza stands, trying to compose herself. "I'm sorry, I really am. You're right. I have no right to ask questions. But this is us, Xander," she says, moving closer to him, her voice a whisper. "We're meant to be. I messed up, but let me fix it. Let me fix us." She places her hand on his arm, the warmth of her touch sending a shiver through him.

"There's no fixing us," Xander says through gritted teeth, trying to keep his emotions in check.

"You can't say that," Liza insists, shaking her head, refusing to accept that they can't go back to the way things were.

"Mark, seriously?" Xander finally yells, the anger he's been holding back for months spilling over. Liza doesn't flinch. She knows no matter how angry Xander is, he would never hurt her. "He was my best friend."

"I know," Liza says, tears welling up in her eyes as she tries to hold them back, mindful of the hours she spent perfecting her makeup this morning. She wanted to look good for him, just like she always did when they were together, even though it never mattered to Xander. "And I'm sorry. I wish I could take it back. I never wanted to hurt you. I lov..."

"How long has this thing been going on with you and Mark?" Xander interrupts, his voice cold.

Liza blinks, and hot tears spill down her cheeks. "A-Alex," she stammers, knowing that the truth will only hurt him more.

"You wanted to fix things? Tell the truth," Xander demands, his voice slow and deliberate.

"A few months," she chokes out.

Xander asked the question hoping for an excuse, some justification to hold on to the idea of them. Maybe if it had just been a one-time thing, he could forgive her, move past it. But months of deceit? It's something he can't overlook, ever.

He knows he shouldn't ask, but he does anyway, "W-why?"

"These last few months, you were always working, and I was always working. Fashion shows, events, travel... Mark was just always there."

"Yeah, because he was your manager," Xander snaps, his voice rising, unable to keep the frustration from spilling over.

"I know," Liza pleads, her voice cracking. "I messed up, and I can't say sorry enough. But I still love you, Xander. I want us to work things out."

Xander exhales sharply, his expression hardening. "You should go," he says, his tone flat, final.

"Alex..." she whispers, stepping closer, her scent—a familiar mix of flowers and something sweet—drifting toward him. Before he can react, she wraps her arms around his neck and presses her lips to his.

For Liza, the kiss feels like home, like everything they once had falling back into place. But for Xander, it's like stepping into a memory that no longer fits. As she lingers in the past, he stands in the present, realizing with a dull ache that the spark they once shared has fizzled out. He'll always care for her, but he finally understands that the love he once had for her is gone, replaced by something less intense, less consuming.

The door creaks open, breaking the moment. They pull apart as the sound of footsteps and the unmistakable presence of Cara fills the room.

+~~~

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