Aurora

by Emma L. McGeown

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing.” She shook her head, but a tear had already escaped. I was about to comfort her, but she spoke again. “I’m just happy.”

  “I missed you.” My voice was quiet as she bit her lip. The look in her eyes told me she wanted alone time with me. She glanced at Jamie and motioned toward the door. “I’ll take him,” I said, replying to a question she didn’t even need to ask.

  With a careful lift, I carried Jamie to his own room before making my way back to Elena. “It’s so nice to be back in my own bed again.” I beamed as I climbed back in.

  “That daybed must have been dreadful.” The guilt was written across her face as she snuggled next to me. “Why didn’t you swap with me when I offered?”

  “I couldn’t be in this bed without you,” I said. “Those days you were in the hospital were horrible. The bed felt so large and empty.”

  “I felt that way too when you weren’t here.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I mean, initially, I didn’t know why the bed felt empty because, you know, I’d lost my mind, but when I learned the truth, sometimes I thought about having you in here with me.”

  “Huh, if I’d known that, I wouldn’t have waited so long. Maybe my kiss could have brought back your memories rather than that dick—” Elena’s lips on mine cut the ranting short.

  “Can we agree never to talk about Tom in our bed again?”

  I nodded before eagerly accepting her lips again, a heat stirring between us.

  The buzzing of Elena’s phone interrupted us. She leaned over to her bedside table. “Gross. It’s my mother.”

  “But you love your biweekly calls with your mama these days.” I smirked as she turned off the phone.

  “That manipulative dragon.” Elena practically seethed.

  “Please can I be there when you tell her you got your memories back?”

  “I would have to speak to her again for that to happen.” Elena curled back into my side. “Of course she would use my temporary amnesia as a way to push me back toward Tom.”

  “I thought we were never talking about him again,” I reminded her as she began planting small kisses to my neck.

  “Right. Let’s not talk about Mama either,” she said between kisses. “I’m still sorry that you had to sleep in the spare room.”

  “It was awful. Truly terrible. You will have to make it up to me.”

  “Is that so?” She propped herself up on her elbow so she was looking down on me as she began to caress my arm.

  “Yes. For all of the trauma I’ve experienced these last few weeks.” She threw me a playful look, telling me that she wasn’t buying any of this. “I’ve been through so much.”

  “Really? And what will make it better?”

  “Well, first off, some kissing,” I said as she leaned down and planted a soft kiss on my lips before I continued. “Your cooking, like, every day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And you should probably take care of the cleaning and driving Jamie to school. Because I’m traumatised. Oh, and a lot of sex. For a while, maybe even years.” She bit back a smile as I exhaled a content sigh. “I’m so happy you’re back.”

  “Me too,” she said before she lowered herself and kissed me.

  Her tongue brushed my lower lip as she deepened our kiss without hesitation. Months of a lonely bed had left Elena’s patience almost as thin as mine, it seemed, as she effortlessly found her way on top of me, straddling my hips.

  “Is this the start of you making it up to me?” I asked huskily, sitting up and relieving her of the restraints of her T-shirt.

  “This is just a warm-up,” she teased as she pushed me back down into the mattress.

  I caressed her back as she repositioned herself between my legs. The temperature began to rise as we shed the rest of our clothes, and she planted wet kisses down my neck. She didn’t stop there but continued to travel down. Although she stopped briefly at my chest, it was clear where her end destination was. My underwear was removed, and she began her promise to make it up to me. Elena always kept her promises.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “A text message, really?” Cat said over the phone. I heard the sound of honking horns and passing cars in the background. “Is that really all I am worth?”

  “You’re lucky you got that at all,” I replied, throwing Jax a seductive look, which she seemed to immensely enjoy. I popped another grape into my mouth as I sat on the kitchen countertop, half listening to Cat but watching Jax in my oversized shirt as she poured some coffee.

  “Well, I am pleased you’ve pulled yourself from the throes of passion long enough to tell your only sister that your memories are back.”

  “I knew you would drive straight over here once I told you. Had to buy myself some much-needed alone time,” I said.

  Jax closed the gap between us, moving in between my thighs and planting a kiss on my lips…one which lingered.

  “This has Jax written all over it.” Cat’s loud voice caused us to break apart for a beat.

  “Does not,” Jax said as I placed my hand over her mouth to silence her.

  “You just wanted to roll around in the hay all day,” Cat said, seemingly more to Jax than me, but it fell on deaf ears as Jax kissed my neck, drawing in my pulse point and biting. “Do you need anything from the shop?” My eyes rolled back as I pulled Jax closer, making concentration on the phone call impossible.

  “I think you’re going through a tunnel, Cat. You’re breaking up.” I began to make static noises as Jax started to kiss my lips. Chaste kisses at first, which slowly began to deepen. “Gonna have to call you back.”

  I didn’t have a chance to set the phone down before Jax gripped the back of my knees and wrapped my legs around her waist. Her hands dipped under my shirt, moving along my back and sending a shiver down my spine. She silenced my moans with kisses, and I tightened my thighs around her waist, begging for more contact.

  “You have no idea how much I’ve thought about this,” I said in her ear as I tugged at the nape of her neck, pulling her closer.

  She moved away from my breasts despite my breathless protests and down to the waistband of my sweats. Her hand dipped under the hem, and I braced myself for contact.

  The vibration of the phone derailed my concentration. With a quick swipe, I barked, “For the last time, we don’t need milk, Caterina.”

  “Elena?” My mother’s incredulous voice caused me to yank Jax’s hand away.

  “Mother.”

  Jax’s eyes went wide before amusement set in.

  “That’s no way to answer the phone,” my mother said, setting my back teeth on edge. “I’m just calling to find out how your date went.”

  My nostrils flared, and Jax gave me a “calm down” look, which did nothing. How could Jax be so calm when this woman was responsible for so much confusion and pain.

  “It went terribly, Mother, and you want to know why?” I jumped down from the counter, shifting Jax out of the way despite her warning eyes. “Because I am not interested in Tom. Why? Because I am with Jax. I am in love with her, a woman. Hard to believe, I know. It’s only been eight fucking years.” The rage pulsing through my veins kept me pacing.

  “You remember?” Her voice, which usually carried a punch, even on the phone, was quiet.

  “Yes, Mother. I do. How could you…I can’t believe you would…” I groaned, unable to even finish the sentence. The longer I was on the phone, the more I was getting worked up. “I can’t believe you would do something like this. Push me toward him again when you know I’m with Jax. We have a son, a family, and you tried to destroy that, you monster.”

  “Bella…listen…” My mother tried to interrupt, but the anger pulsing through my bloodstream meant I couldn’t stop. I was like a steam engine train travelling beyond capacity, ready to derail.

  “Don’t bella me. You’re a manipulative bitch,” I spat. “I am married. Happily married. Unlike you and Papa. After everything Tom did
to me, and somehow, you thought he is still better than my loving, amazing, successful wife? What kind of a person does that?” Jax gave me a small smile over her coffee, and I began to calm just by looking at her.

  “Elena, let me explain.” The only reason she got a word in was because I was running out of breath. “After your accident, it was like a silver lining. Tom is Jamie’s father. I just want to see him in my grandson’s life.”

  “You’re unbelievable,” I shouted with my hands wild in the air. Even Jax had fled, knowing how angry my mother made me when she pulled out the nuclear family card. “Tom is not Jamie’s other parent. He forfeited that right when he slipped me an envelope of cash to get an abortion. Jax is and always has been Jamie’s other parent. We have the adoption papers to prove it.” She tried to interrupt, but I wouldn’t give her an opportunity this time. “This has absolutely nothing to do with Jamie. This doesn’t even have anything to do with Jax. You can’t accept that I like women, that I’ve shamed you.”

  “Elena, I won’t listen to this again.”

  “It’s always been about that, and it will always come back to it. You can’t accept who I am. I spent years trying to be the perfect straight daughter, and you know what? That still wasn’t good enough. It doesn’t matter the circumstances. You’d rather I be miserable than with a woman.” I sighed as the line went quiet. I wasn’t even sure if she was still on the call. “Well, you know what? Jamie is better off without Tom in his life, and now, we will be better off without you.” Tears were in my eyes as I grinded my teeth together to get out the words without a shaky voice. “Good-bye, Mother.”

  With that, I hung up before gripping the countertop and exhaling slowly.

  “Proud of you.” Cat smiled from the kitchen side entrance with a look that told me she’d heard a good chunk of the conversation. She might have heard all of it. I hadn’t noticed her come in. I smiled back sadly and within seconds, her arms engulfed me from behind.

  “Thanks, Cat.” I leaned into her embrace, and we were quiet for a beat.

  “You sure told her.” Cat chuckled as she began to pull back. “But you should have said something about her botched nose job. Really hit her where it hurts.”

  “Goddamnit.” I sighed sarcastically. “Next time. How long do you think it will be before she calls you?”

  “Ten seconds,” she replied just as her phone started ringing from her back pocket. “Or less.” She let it go to voice mail, of course. “You look like you again.”

  “I feel like me again.” I returned her smile.

  With her in tow, I moved into the living room toward the dining table, but I didn’t get far before I realised Jax wasn’t alone in there.

  “Mummy,” Jamie called from his spot beside Jax on the couch.

  Both their heads turned at the same time, hair unkept and messy, but they both smiled, melting my insides as I drifted toward the couch. He must have woken up while I was on the phone. Cartoons were playing on the TV, but by his excited expression I knew it was just a distraction until I finished my call.

  “Hey, baby boy.” The words left my mouth naturally as I reached the back of the sofa and kissed his forehead and then proceeded to plant a soft kiss on Jax’s head.

  “Come on, Jay. Let Auntie Cat speak to Mummy for a minute.” Jax stood, ushering Jamie into the kitchen.

  “How over the moon was Jamie when you told him?” Cat asked once we were alone, and I’d sat across the table from her.

  “I didn’t even need to tell him, he just knew.”

  The corners of my mouth turned upward as I looked at my coffee. I recalled the hours we’d sat up having a slumber party. Cat’s left hand wrapped around mine and squeezed it comfortingly, and though she was about to speak, something caught my eye.

  “Your ring,” I said as I realised she was wearing her engagement ring again. She hadn’t worn it in months. She sometimes didn’t even wear her wedding band, usually after a bad argument with Nick.

  “Snap,” Cat replied as she nodded at my left hand.

  It was one of the first things I’d wanted to return to normal again. My hand had felt weightless without the rings. After Jax had placed my engagement and wedding ring back on my hand, she’d sealed it with a kiss. Smiling, I remembered our reunion last night, but my attention sprung back to Cat as she was beaming down at her own ring, a sight I hadn’t seen in a very long time.

  “Something’s changed?” I wondered aloud as her delighted eyes met mine. “Something good?”

  “Something great. He quit the firm.” I gasped as she nodded, blissfully and unapologetically happy. “His plane was delayed yesterday, and he missed Abbey’s play. We had both spent weeks getting her costume perfect. She had a solo dance and everything. Abbey was so devasted that he couldn’t make it. I was furious when he got home, but that all melted away when he said he quit his job. No more travels, no more missed occasions, no more weeks away.” Her eyes glistened, and she seemed unable to hide her smile. “He did it for us. He quit.”

  “He quit?” I said in equal disbelief.

  “He really quit.”

  “Who quit?” Jax asked, appearing back in the living room with a bowl of cereal. Jamie followed her.

  “Nick.” Cat rolled her eyes but smiled regardless.

  “Uncle Nick quit his job?” Jamie said as he launched onto my lap, his hands wrapping around my neck.

  “Uncle Nick quit his job,” Cat repeated.

  “What now?” I said.

  “With all his free time?” Cat asked. “I guess he’s taking care of Christmas dinner this year, and becoming the go-to, stay-at-home dad. Think of all the weekends he has been away. I think we all deserve a night on the town, don’t you? Leave Nick with the little ones.”

  “You read my mind.” I giggled with her, pleased and relieved to have my life back again.

  * * *

  Jax

  “Grab the cranberry, will you?” Elena called from the living room just as I was picking up the extra serving spoons.

  I frantically searched the fridge, and after some almost mishaps with tumbling jars, I found it “strategically” placed at the very back. With everything shoved back in the fridge, I darted back into the living room. Christmas lights twinkled above the dining table, which was overflowing with food while soft music played in the background.

  “What took you so long?” Mum asked, taking another gulp of red wine, her second glass. “Turkey is getting cold.”

  “You don’t eat meat, Ma.”

  “She’s only saying what the rest of us are thinking,” Greg said as he clinked my mother’s glass with his. My mother threw him back a wink.

  “Do I have to separate you two again this Christmas?” I said as I sat between my mother and Elena.

  Her hand crept onto my thigh, reminding me to take a deep breath. Elena threw me a coy smile with a look in her eyes that made me forget about the rest of the room. Her warm touch on my thigh stayed longer than it should have.

  “Do we have to separate you two?” Nick said, causing Elena to remove her hand and me to curse every single person around my dining table. “Who’s hungry?” Nick asked as he stood to carve the turkey.

  “Me,” the room cheered in unison, the three children the loudest.

  Our apartment was small, but for some reason, hosted the majority of these gatherings. This was our third year hosting Christmas dinner, and although we didn’t have the best silverware or the most lavish dining room, we made it work. Mum, Greg, and Cassie were already on their second glasses of wine and heading toward their third at the head of the table. Cat, who hadn’t taken a seat yet, was micromanaging dinner—as always—placing the first small carvings of turkey onto Kate’s and Abbey’s plates before moving to Jamie’s. Nick looked truly happy for a change as he carved the turkey. He and Cat shared warm looks as they made the perfect team, passing slices across the table. Elena was almost as involved as she started passing bowls of sprouts, roasted carrots and parsnips to the ot
her end of the table.

  I sat, utterly useless, completely incapacitated at how everything had turned out. This time last month, I had worryingly begun to make arrangements to have a Christmas dinner for four with my mum, Jamie, and Greg while Elena had discussed going back to Italy to spend Christmas with her parents.

  Thankfully, that plan was shot after Elena’s argument with her mother. Stefano and Maria Ricci were proud people, never the type to ask forgiveness, but even they’d registered how much they’d fucked up. We’d received a Christmas hamper last week, flowers a few days ago, and a big box of expensive presents yesterday. Even I got a couple of pricey items, which was a testament to how much they were “trying,” in their own morally bankrupt way.

  Christmas was as it should have been: surrounded by family eating overcooked turkey and lumpy gravy, and with the kids complaining about sprouts.

  “A toast,” Cat announced as she raised her glass in the air, and the table followed suit. “To my sister and her wonderful family”—she coughed—“minus Jax.” It got a couple laughs. “I’m kidding. You guys are hashtag family goals.”

  Half the table groaned, including her children. “Don’t say hashtag, Mum,” Abbey said with a look of mortification. “It’s really weird.”

  “Everybody says hashtag,” Cat said. “I can pull off hashtag.”

  “No, you can’t,” several voices argued.

  “Irrelevant,” she sang, silencing everyone before her eyes landed on Elena. “This has been a particularly tough year for you and well, for all of us.” She softly scanned the room. “And when I look around the table, I see the absence of some special people. We remember them most at Christmas.”

  I reached to take my mum’s hand, and she smiled sadly but didn’t meet my eyes, no doubt thinking of Dad. I could tell she was tearing up, and any eye contact with me would only cause her to lose the small grip she had left on her emotions.

  Cat’s voice pulled everyone from their own thoughts and back to her. “But today is not the time to dwell on the negatives. Like how Elena overcooked the turkey.”