When she finished in the shower, she went downstairs to a house full of people, that included a hairdresser, a make-up artist and a dressmaker, which Beth had suggested in case the dress needed any last-minute touches to it.
“Okay let’s start on your hair!” Polly sat her down in the kitchen chair, chatting away to the hairdresser. Susan sat playing with her phone, not listening to anyone around her. Max said he would text her as soon as he woke up.
The hairdresser pulled and tugged at her hair for the next half hour before stepping back to examine her masterpiece. “It’s gorgeous!” Polly jumped up, clapping her hands together.
Susan’s phone buzzed on the table. Quickly picking it up, she opened the message. Good morning, Mrs. Tyler x love you x Smiling she texted him back.
Not Mrs. Tyler yet! And I love you too. Can’t wait to c u xxx
She placed the phone back on the table, smiling as the beautician started on her makeup. Her phone buzzed a second time.
I’ll be waiting!
Polly grabbed the phone off her. “Susan, you know you can’t speak to him, it’s bad luck!” She put the phone in her handbag.
“Poll, it was a quick text and, technically, I didn’t talk to him.” Susan giggled as the women tickled her face with the brush.
Beth sat at the other end of the table watching Susan laughing, “You are beautiful, Susan.”
Susan stood and followed the dressmaker up the stairs. The butterflies in her stomach danced around and she tried to push them aside. Every night since Max had fallen asleep talking to their babies, he woke in the morning with her wrapped in his arms. Perfect didn’t come much better.
As the dressmaker helped Susan into her dress, she felt her cheeks redden. “I look stupid, I knew I would!” Susan slumped on the end of her bed with her head in her hands.
The women came close taking hold of Susan’s hands. “No, you look like an angel. Perfect. Look!” She led Susan to the full-length mirror on the wall.
Susan didn’t recognize the reflection, it wasn’t her. The woman standing in front of the mirror looked like a goddess, her body ripe with life and hope. She smiled at the dressmaker as she left the room. “Thank you!” she whispered. Susan turned from side to side in front of the mirror, taking all her image in. ‘One thing missing’ she thought to herself, digging in the drawers for the necklace Max had given her. Stepping back, she took one more look. She took one deep breath and opened the bedroom door taking her time down the stairs so not to trip over the dress. As she reached the bottom, she brushed herself down waiting for a response from the people watching. “Well, will I do?”
Polly’s hand came up to her mouth, she was fighting back tears. “Oh my god,
Susan, you look... I can’t even describe. You look amazing!”
Beth stood in the doorway unable to stop tears running down her cheeks.
“Beth, don’t cry, you’re making your make up run.”
“Come on, your man is waiting.” Polly tugged at Beth and Susan leading them out the door and to the car.
Max stood under the canopy next to Dillon waiting. He checked his watch every few seconds. “Chill, man! She will be here. Polly just texted to say they’d set off.” Dillon reassured Max and slapped him on the back. Dillon had been a bit of a strange choice for best man, but in truth there wasn’t really anybody else, besides, Dillon and Polly seemed to be making a go of things, and there was evidence to suggest that it might all get a little serious.
He had spent the whole week watching the weather channel, making sure that the snowstorm would stay clear today. Susan had been adamant she wanted the wedding at the beach but wouldn’t wait for better weather. They had a canopy erected over the pagoda in an attempt to keeping most of the cold sea wind off them, but he still worried the rain wouldn’t hold. The weatherman had forecast that a huge winter storm would be heading their way over the next couple of days. ‘Just don’t rain yet’ he thought to himself looking up to the clouds.
Max kept his eyes on the steps, watching and waiting. “Could they take any longer? I’m dying here.”
Just then Polly waved from the top of the steps, signaling Dillon to play the music. Max’s heart stopped, as he waited for Polly to walk down the steps holding her flowers. Shania Twain played in the background. It was the song that had told her he really loved her.
“Man, she looks hot!” Dillon whispered to Max.
Max flipped his head and glared at Dillon.
“I mean Polly! Relax, Man.” Dillon held his hands up and they shared a much-needed laugh.
Max’s attention turns back to the steps. His eyes locked with Susan and he lost his breath for a second. His legs wobbled and he almost fell. His eyes never moved from her. Her long white lace dress flowed in the cool ocean breeze and the wind ruffled the fur throw around her shoulders. He watched as her bare toes touched the sand. (Only his crazy girl would go shoeless with a threat of a winter storm) Curls fell on her face and snowdrops laced her hair. The low winter sun created a shimmering halo around her.
Susan felt the butterflies as soon as his hand touched hers; no words could describe the feelings she felt. As the song finished, they turned hand in hand to the registrar, their eyes never parting. Polly and Beth took a seat next to Dillon and they watched patiently as both Max and Susan struggled to find the words they wanted to say.
Max held his breath as the words ‘I do’ came from her lips. The only women he ever loved had become his wife; he took her head in his hands and their lips touched. Waves crashed onto the sand salty breeze flew. Max didn’t care, he didn’t want the kiss to ever end. He turned to Beth and Polly; they were both uselessly romantic, with tears in their eyes. They were both so happy that Max and Susan couldn’t help but giggle with delight.
As the music started again, Susan took Max’s hand. They would never be apart again. With Max and Susan in one car and Polly, Beth and Dillon in another, they all headed back to Susan’s for a small celebration. Everyone had wanted a fancy reception, but Susan had put her foot down and decided on just the five of them and a small gathering at her house. It’s the only place she wanted to be in such a fragile state; the babies had taken all her strength and she just wanted to relax and spend her day with the people she loved.
The house was full of flowers and the table had been set with borrowed vintage china and linen that had once been Beth’s mothers. Beth had made enough cakes and sandwiches for a reception of twenty.
Max watched every move Susan made; his eyes never left hers until Beth stood up and cleared her throat before announcing, “Hey, I know it’s only us, but I’d still like to say a few words and raise a glass. I’d like to say how proud I am of you both and I know, Susan, that your mother and father would be overwhelmed at the amazing women you have turned into. You are going to last a lifetime together.”
“Mom!” Max turned and pulled his teary-eyed mum in for a hug. “I love you, Mom!”
Polly stood and tapped the side of her champagne glass. “Well, I think if we are doing speeches, I’d also really like to say something.”
“Polly,” Susan smiled, “you really don’t have to!”
Polly looked directly at Susan. “When I met you, I thought you would never find your happy ending. I thought you were lost forever, but then after all the tears and heartache…” a tear trickled down her cheek. “I’ve seen you grow in confidence, I’ve seen you passionate, loving, and caring. I’ve seen you fight for what you want and with you by her side, Max, I know she will have a life filled with love and happiness.”
Susan couldn’t control the tears. They all lifted their glasses cheering. Max took Susan’s hand and led her into the living room. Polly pressed play and ‘From this moment’ echoed in the background. Max wrapped his arms around her waist and led her in a slow dance. They couldn’t take their eyes off each other; nothing in the world mattered but that moment. “I love you, Mrs. Taylor.” His lips caressed her forehead.
“I love you too, Mr
Taylor.”
“Here, takes a seat for a bit your feet must be aching?” Max guided her to the sofa and pulled her feet up over her knees. He rubbed the soles of her feet and they both giggled as they watched Dillon dancing with Polly and Beth. “How are you feeling, baby?” he whispered, removing a wisp of hair from her face.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, Max.” Susan couldn’t stop smiling.
He lent in closer to her ear. “I mean are you tired? Do you need a lie down or anything?”
Max I’m fine!”
Polly danced over to the two of them, pulling Max up off the couch. “Come on, Max, you owe me a dance.”
Beth took a seat next to Susan. “I meant what I said, Susan, your parents would be so proud of you.”
“Do you really mean it?”
“Oh, sweetie, yes I mean it. You are so much like your mother, but you have your father’s fight. Even in the dark your smile shines through.” She touched Susan’s cheek.
“I can’t remember anything about them, you know? No matter how much I try.” Beth shadowed her pain. “How long did you know them?” Susan asked.
Beth paused for a moment trying to remember a time that she didn’t know Susan’s parents – it was as if they had been part of her growing-up. When they had died, Beth had been left bereft. “I knew your mother from school and I first met your father I when they became a couple at seventeen. They were such a lovely couple and they loved each other very much.” Beth took a breath. “They also loved you very much...”
“I love you, Beth. I’m so glad that you are in my life.”
The two of them sat watching the others smiling and laughing. Max hopped over to Beth and took hold of her hand. “May I have this dance, Mom?” He gave a wink at Susan. “I’ll be back for you in a little while.”
Susan smiled as the babies kicked around in her tummy. She had finally got everything she ever wanted... she had finally become a wife to the man who had always owned her heart, and she would soon become a mother. She was surrounded by people that loved her.
“How are my two little munchkins doing? Aunty Polly is going to spoil you two rotten!” she said, flopping down on the sofa next to her.
“You made me jump!” Susan turned laughing at her. “You’re drunk!”
“Nope!” Polly shook her head and giggled. “Okay maybe just a little bit. I think I may need to go home soon.”
Dillon walked over and pulled Polly to her feet. “Let’s get you home, Missy.” He winked at her and Susan knew exactly what was on the agenda.
“Dillon, I think you’ve had a little bit too much to drink to be taking anyone home, don’t you? I’ll drive you all back.” Susan stood and headed for the door, pushing her swollen feet into her trainers.
“Baby, what you doing? You should be resting. Max walked over and grabbed hold of her arm
“I’m fine, I won’t be long.” Susan took Polly’s coat and held it up for her.
“Susan, we can walk, it’s only ten minutes away. You really don’t need to drive us, honest you get some rest.”
“Whoa! Will you all stop fussing, I need some fresh air anyway. I’ll be fine. Like you said, it’s only ten minutes away. Now come on you three, let’s get you all tucked up in bed shall we.” Susan shook her head laughing. “Don’t worry, Max, I’ll be back in no time – then you can take me to bed!” she pressed her lips against his cheeks.”
Susan rushed to the car not wanting to get wet from the splatters of rain that fell. She climbed behind the wheel of Polly's car, pushing the seat back as far as it would go before starting the engine. “Belts please!” She shot a look behind her at Polly and Dillon slumped in the back their heads lolling on each other. They both huffed, buckling the seatbelts into place. Beth sat in the front.
As the car pulled up on Beth's drive, Susan looked over her shoulder and chuckled.
“Look at those two, fast asleep!”
Beth shook Polly’s leg. “Come on sleepy-head!”
Susan unfastened her seatbelt and was just about to climb out of the car when Susan pulled her back into her seat and clung tight to her neck. “I had a wonderful day today, Susan. Thank you for letting us be a part of your day.” Susan couldn’t hold back her tears.
They shambled out of the car and waved enthusiastically from the door step, laughing as Beth struggled to find her keys.
She sent Max a text telling him she was setting back off and threw the phone on the passenger seat before starting the engine up again. She waited until the three of them had got through the door before heading off.
The rain was falling heavily. When she stopped at the traffic lights, she flicked the radio on singing away to the music, when the lights hit green she stared moving forward. A sharp pain shot across her stomach. Susan gripped the steering wheel as tightly as she could, but the pain was too much, and it crippled her. The rain thrashed across the windscreen and she couldn’t see anything in front of her. All at once she started to panic.
With one hand over her belly, she muttered to herself, “It’s okay, babies we’re nearly home.” Then another sharp pain ripped across her belly, this time it was followed by a gush as her waters broke.
She wrapped both her hands around her tummy, loosing complete control of the car and praying for the safety of her babies. Her eyes closed in agony as her body jolted to the sound of the car crunching into another. Everything went black.
CHAPTER 19
In the distance tiny lights flickered. She felt Max’s presence. She tried shouting out, but no words came out. Everywhere hurt. She could hear sirens in the distance. “Just a little longer,” she gargled. She could taste iron in her mouth. “Just hold on a little longer, babies.”
The blackness came at her again. “Max!” She couldn’t understand why he didn’t respond.
“Hello! Hello! Miss, are you okay?” She heard the faint sound of a man’s voice. “It’s okay we’ll get you out, just hold on!” The voice spoke again. “We need to get her out of there now…”
Lights flashed all around her, “Please save them…don’t let them die…” her eyes closed again. A faint voice echoed through the car.
Visions flashed forward like movies in her head. Max was holding hands with a little girl, her blond curls wild in the wind.
The vision vanished. The pain was too much, the iron in her mouth was making her feel sick and her head hurt, but it was nothing compared to the pain ripping through her tummy. In the distance she heard shouting.
Max took another look at his watch. He was getting worried, she should be back by now – it had been twenty minutes since she had texted to say that she was on her way home. Picking up his phone he tried phoning again only this time it went straight to voicemail. Grabbing his keys, he left the house and walked to the end of the street to see if he could see her. Something was wrong.
As he reached the end, he could see blue flashing lights in front of him. His gut was hit hard. He screamed out from deep inside and he ran. The car was upside down in the ditch. “SUSAN!” he screamed. Strong arms pulled him back.
“Please, Sir, step back. Do you know who is in the car?”
“It’s… it’s my wife! Is she… please tell me she is okay!” Max ran his hands through his hair, and he dropped to his knees on the floor.
“Please, Sir, I need you to remain calm and let us help her. We believe she has gone into labor and we are concentrating on getting her out in the safest way possible. We have given her some pain-killers but she keeps slipping in and out of consciousness. Do you think you could talk to her and try to keep her awake while the fire crew get her out?”
Max nodded and moved towards the car with the help of the police officer. He knelt and took hold of Susan’s hand. “Susan, baby, please open your eyes.” His heart was accelerating, and he thought that he might pass out. “Baby open your eyes.
It’s Max – please open your eyes. I need you to do that for me, baby.” “Max?” her words were shaky.
&
nbsp; He tightened his grip on her hand and pushed her tangled, bloody hair off her face. “Yes, baby, I’m here. Please hold on a little longer.”
Her eyes struggled to open. Tears streamed down her face.
Sir, can you just move aside, please,” the paramedic laid the stretcher out on the floor as the fire crew prepared to lift her out of the car.
Susan felt Max loosen his grip. “NO!” she screamed out. “Please don’t let go. Please don’t leave me.”
“Baby, I’m right here.” Max stood helplessly by, watching her scream out in pain as they fastened her into the stretcher.
Sharp pains shot across her stomach, she couldn’t move. “AH! It hurts!” she sobbed. “Please save them!”
“Tell me she is going to be okay?” Max couldn’t control his tears and he couldn’t stop thinking about how much pain she was in. As the doors shut on the ambulance, he took hold of her hand... “It’s okay, baby, I’m right here.”
“Max, I can’t see you. Please, I’m scared…” Her vision went black and not even his voice could bring her back.
He sat in the waiting room waiting for news, looking down at his hands covered in her blood.
“Max!” Beth shouted as she came running up the corridor. Polly followed behind “Oh my God, Max! Have they said anything?” Polly asked.
Max sat with his head in his hands. “Mom…. I…I… can’t lose her.” Beth sat cradling his head in her arms as his body shook violently. “What am I going to do mom? What if I lose them?”
“Ssh, Max, you’re not going to lose them. Don’t give up.” A trail of ugly black mascara ran down Beth’s face.
Polly and Beth sat either side of him. He felt himself falling to pieces. “I can’t sit here and do nothing!” he said, standing up and pacing up and down the corridor. He was waiting for someone to come – an angel of mercy. Seconds turned into minutes, minutes turned into an hour and still no one came.
“I’m going to go and get a coffee. Do you want one son?” Beth gingerly stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes.
Something Missing (The True Love Series Book 1) Page 15