Rising Up: Finding Me book 1

by J J Harper

  "Fine, I'll sit at home alone and bored for the next ten weeks or so!" Her scowl at me as I try miserably to hide my pleasure just makes me hug her to me.

  "I love you babe and I promise I'll find something to occupy your mind." I look up at the Doc who is smiling at our interaction. "Are we good to go then?"

  "Of course, and Imogen don't punish him too much he's got both of your best interests at heart."

  "I know, that's why he's going to get away with it this time." Imogen takes a copy of the scan to add to our collection.

  We are both looking at it as we walk through to the waiting area and out into the sunshine I look up as I hear a gasp. There in front of us is Lauren

  Her face sneers when she sees us both. "Hey Mason, I see it didn't take you long to move on." Her eyes travel up and down Imogen's body. "Well she's no looker is she? Had to get yourself knocked up to keep him did ya? I thought you wouldn't be in the picture any more, last I heard you had someone hunting you down. Pity it didn't work."

  "Shut your mouth Lauren, you have no idea what you are talking about.” I’m furious and keep Ginny close to me.

  "That's where you're wrong. He only got close because I managed to give him the security details to your building. I got one hell of a payment for it too, but y'know what Mason look me up when you're done with this bitch."

  I keep hold tight to Ginny's hand when I feel her ready to launch into her. "Goodbye Lauren, you deserve everything that's coming to you."

  We get back to the car before Ginny speaks. "Shit Mason, did that really just happen?”

  “I hate that woman, I’ll let Luc know what she said, and he can inform the cops.” But turning to her and smiling I ask her a question. "Anyway let's talk about better things. Do you want to go and see something, well two things that can keep you busy and occupied till Cookie arrives?"

  "Well since you practically forced this on me they'd better be good things." She saw the way I raised my eyebrows at her. "I know, I know. It's more important to keep me and the baby healthy so come on show me what's going to keep me happy."

  I drive out of the city and make my way to the house. "I think since that now the main construction work has been done the place needs a project manager, someone who has very fixed ideas about how the place should look."

  Sending her a quick sideways glance and smirk and see her eyes widen in surprise.

  "Really, you want me to oversee the work? Oh God Mason that's a fantastic idea. Shit! How come I didn't think of it?"

  I throw my head back and laugh loudly. "Only you would say that Ginny, and that's why there is another condition to this offer."

  He’s looking at me skeptically. "I knew there would be a proviso, who've you got to keep a watch over me?"

  "Just hold that thought babe and think what, rather than who." We pull up outside a large one-story property with large heavy duty wire fencing all the way around it. Thankfully it is all quiet when we arrive so there are no clues for her.

  Walking up to the door I ring the bell and a middle-aged couple answers the door. "Mr. and Mrs. Connor? I'm Mason Reynolds and this is my partner Imogen.

  Imogen speaks up. "Hello, I'm his girlfriend not his partner. I always think that makes me sound like a cowboy." She laughs and puts her hand out to shake theirs.

  "Oh sweetie I totally agree, anyway don't stand out here come on in, come on in. Let me show you what we've got. Now normally I wouldn't recommend it just before a baby comes along but your boyfriend put up a very good argument. I guess that's why he's a lawyer." Mrs. Connors chuckles away and leads Ginny down a corridor and through a door.

  I hear Ginny's gasp and she claps her hands. "Oh Mason, look puppies and oh wow! They are just gorgeous. Is one of them for me?" As she looks round at me with tears in her eyes and a smile so bright my heart misses a beat.

  "Yeah babe, you wouldn't accept the house so this is you new birthday present, if there is one here you like?"

  Mrs. Connors leads her into the room through the child safety gate that is keeping the dogs contained. "Now sit quietly on the floor for a little while and let them come to you. You too Mr. Reynolds, this is your pet too."

  So we squat down and let the eight or so puppies clamber all over us, laughing as they lick our faces and nibble our fingers. But there is one that keeps coming back and lying across Ginny's legs eventually after a large milky scented yawn collapses down and sleeps.

  "Well I think your puppy has chosen you, don'tcha think?" Mr. Connors leans round the door frame. "Oh you got a good one there, he's always been a favorite of mine."

  "Oh Mason, yes, this one please?" Imogen's eyes are shining so bright and all of the stresses of the last four months look washed away.

  "Mrs. Connor, you've just sold us a dog." I stand up and leave the room to sort out the paperwork with Mr. Connor.

  When I look back Imogen is listening very closely to the older lady and is nodding her head but a small tear escapes her eye and runs down her face making me concerned, but her face then lights up as she smiles and again nods her head, the private moment is over and her voice rises again.

  "Have you ever had a dog before Imogen?"

  "No but I have always wanted one and this is most definitely the one I want."

  "They are a very special breed dear, they love without condition and protect without guarding, your new family will be safe with him.”

  We leave with a huge sack full of food, a blanket from his bed and I pick up a T-Shirt of Ginny's from their sleeping area. Ginny looks at me questioningly. "Mrs. Connor suggested I gave them something of yours so that they would know your smell."

  "Bloody hell Mason, when did you sort all this out?" Her eyes are as wide as saucers.

  "Last week, you came home from work so tired and dejected I knew you needed this."

  "God, Mase. You are gonna get so lucky tonight when we get home."

  This makes me laugh so much that the sleeping puppy in Imogen's arms opens just one eye and frowns at me. "What are you going to call him Ginny?" I have no idea what is a normal dog name back in England, but I'm sure she'll surprise me with whatever she chooses.

  "His name is Phoenix." Her voice is so confident and resolute that I have to question her choice. “It’s because he is helping me be reborn from the ashes of my former life." Leaning down she kisses his head and inhales his unique puppy scent.

  I have to swallow a few times to hide the emotion in my voice. "It's perfect babe, abso-fucking-lutely perfect. Welcome to the Reynolds-Banks household buddy." I ruffle his ears and he just buries himself deeper into Ginny’s lap. "I know the feeling mate, I love it there too." Imogen laughs and slaps my hand. My life is so fucking perfect.

  At three o'clock in the morning when Ginny has gotten out of bed for the fourth or maybe even the fifth time to calm a restless and whining puppy. "Mason please? He misses his litter-mates and his mother. Let him sleep in our room."

  "No Imogen, not now, not ever. We will be having the baby in our room soon enough and there's only so much of you I'm prepared to share. Now please leave him alone and come back to bed. We both have to be up in less than four hours."

  "I hate you, you know that don't you." She kisses Phoenix on the head and tucks him back up.

  "No you don't babe, you love me. So get your ass back in here."

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Imogen

  So I've finished at my job for now at least. Mason and I spoke to April and although we were both sad not to be working together, she admitted to being worried about my health and I told her that I wasn't able to give 100% of myself to the job. I promised to work with her again if she would have me back but I saw Mason give her a look.

  After lunch Mason drives me and Phoenix out to the house and introduces me to the new guys working there, Dan is still working on site and soon comes over and gives me a hug.

  "Hey Imogen, it's great you're going to be out here every day. I know you need to rest but your input is vital now we are getting
to ready to start with the fixtures and fittings, it's still a long way off being finished but it's great you're here."

  He looks down at Phoenix sat patiently by my feet. "Who's your buddy? He looks like he's gonna be a big boy."

  "Yeah, he's Ginny's guard dog so keep your boys under control Dan." Mason gets his alpha male hat on.

  Whispering, "Down boy" at him I lift my baby boy into my arms and introduce him to Dan properly.

  "Ginny, for fucks sake put him down, he's too heavy for you to pick up." Mason scowls and takes him from my arms.

  "Oh sod off Mason, are you going to stop me from carrying my own child when he gets too heavy?"

  "No! But you won't be pregnant then will y..." His voice dries up when he realizes I could have another child whilst the first still needs to be picked up. "Okay, fair point, but please wait until we've seen Dr. Markson again, can you promise me to take it easy?" He looks at me worriedly.

  "I promise Mason, I love you and our baby too much to jeopardize anything, but Phoenix is my dog and I'll train him to bite you if you're not careful." I lean in and kiss him.

  "Okay Dan, this amazing woman and her wannabe scary dog is in charge." He waves his hand over his head and walks back to his car leaving me with a house full of builders and a list a mile long of jobs. "I'll pick you up later babe."

  "Right then Dan, let's take a walk around and you can bring me up to date."

  I watch Mason walk away and walk inside with Phoenix on his leash next to me. The house has got so much bigger with the extension and I can really get the feel of the place.

  Spending the afternoon searching for the right furniture and all the bathroom and kitchen fixtures is just as exhausting as being at work, but the bonus of being able to walk away for a half hour and wander the grounds with the puppy following me playfully jumping into piles of leaves and sniffing out the rabbit trails relaxes me so much more than I thought it would, apart from one moment when it I felt like I was being watched but just put it down to all the workmen around. But I get plenty of ideas for the garden and decide to start searching for a landscaper.

  I'm waiting for Mason to get to me now, both Phoenix and I are worn out and I fancy a hot relaxing bath.

  Mason

  Another week has past and I can't believe how time is running away with us. I pull up at the house to collect Ginny and walk in to the main room.

  "Oi! What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I’m shouting at some skinny guy checking out Imogen.

  "Hey man, just checking out the view, that's a fine piece of ass bent down over there. Does she work for you?"

  "Get out! You’re fired. Dan? Get over here." I’m shouting out for my contractor.

  Ginny has stood up by this time and turns round to see what's going on. "Mason, what are you shouting for?"

  "Because this asshole was checking you out." Just then Dan walks in.

  "Hey Mason, what's up man?"

  "Get this shitbag off my property he's fired! I don't employ men to stand around and stare at my girlfriend."

  The young man suddenly looks very sheepish. "Shit Mr. Reynolds I'm really sorry, I didn't realize who she was." He turns to Imogen. "I'm really sorry Ma'am."

  "Mason calm down, he's fine. Don't fire him, he didn't mean any harm."

  I stare at her and run my hands down my face, breathing out in a loud huff. "Fine, you can stay, but believe me if I see anything like that again you are outta here.

  C'mon Ginny let's get home and you can fill me in on the way. Watch him Dan, I don't like him."

  I grab hold of Ginny's hand and pull her away from the terrified kid. "Let's go home babe, I'm tired and hungry and I expect you and Phoenix are too."

  I take in a deep breath when we're in the car. "Babe, promise me you'll be a bit more careful, there's a hell of a lot of guys on the site so can you try not to bend over anywhere near them. That gorgeous piece of ass is mine."

  "Yeah right, a six and half months pregnant woman really is every man’s fantasy." She is really laughing at me.

  "Trust me babe, you look fucking stunning and seeing you on your knees with your ass in the air got me hard so it must have the same effect on the rest of them."

  We get in and I get the dog fed and settled before I go and run her bath for a soak while our supper cooks. Taking her a glass of juice to sip while she soaks I sit on the edge and she tells me all about her day as well as the plans for the yard and garden.

  I stand and help her out of the bath and wrap a huge towel around her warm wet body and even with her belly growing larger with my child it is the most beautiful sight to me.

  The next hour or so is spent eating and talking about the house and work, her ideas for the yard are brilliant, it's such a good job we've got so much land to play with.

  "I heard from Maddie today." Imogen says.

  "Oh, where is she, did she say? Lake will be pissed he hasn't heard from her at all."

  "You've got to be kidding me, why on earth should she ever contact him again? He treated her like shit. He couldn't even look her in the eye when she went to leave. He's lucky she didn't slap him about. I would have.

  But yes she has gone back home but not near her parents, in fact she is somewhere completely new and is re-evaluating her life and is thinking about changing her career path completely, but hasn't quite decided what to do yet."

  I know she is still really angry with Lake, but he realizes this and keeps their conversations strictly about the case. I know I'm going to have to help her get over Maddie leaving, I miss all of us hanging out together.

  “She will be all right Imogen, Maddie is a survivor and although you feel her loss now, she will always be in your life. You have shared far too much to lose her. We have got so much good stuff going on for us right now that you should focus on that and let her come back to you when she is ready, I’m sure she will. Come on babe let’s get some sleep. I love you Ginny.”

  “I love you too, I can't believe what a difference you have made to me and my life. This time last year I was trapped and frightened and I didn't think I would ever have any good things in life, things that other people take for granted, y'know someone who loves them, friends, a good job, and simple normal things like that.

  But look at me now, I have no one to fear, the love of the best man in the world, really good friends, and a baby on the way, things I would never have dared to wish for. Thank you for finding me and for the strength you have shown me through all of our problems.

  I'm sure that when you first met me you never imagined all the baggage I had hanging round me, but to carry on loving me through all of this I will never be able to prove how much you mean to me and how much I love you. I have no doubt that I will be with you forever.”

  My eyes have filled with tears listening to her pour out her heart to me. “Every part of our time together has made us better people, as a couple we have had our fair share of shit.” I smile ruefully at her as I think of our time apart. “But also we have developed and grown stronger individually, and I think we now both have a clearer picture of how our lives are going to change and this Imogen is a good thing and I love you with every fiber of my being.”

  After checking on the dog and locking up the apartment I crawl back into our bed and pull Ginny's body against mine, my hands reach around the front of her and they rest on her swelling belly, I can feel the slow movements as my child moves around and my mind is spinning with the events of the last year and how finding Lauren with another man instigated our break up allowing me to meet Imogen, who is the most amazingly strong, brave and beautiful woman and who loves me.

  I need to plan her birthday party, it's a bit more than a month away and the house won't be quite ready and I don't want it wrecked by my drunken friends. I'll call my mother and we can have a garden party at her place. Another idea surprises me but feels like the best one I've come up with yet, I can feel sleep begin to overtake me and soon join Imogen in a peaceful sleep.

  "What plans
have you got today babe?" Breakfast has become a rush for me since Phoenix joined us. I have to take him over to the dog park across the road for him to do his business before I can get ready for work. I can't wait to move in to our home so that he can just be let into the yard.

  "I've got a landscape gardener coming over at eleven, then the kitchen designer is due at one thirty and after that I'm going to see your Mum, we haven't caught up for ages, so I'll take my car today and I'll meet you back here after work."

  "Please promise me you won't do too much, please make time to rest." I know I'm worrying about her but I can see that she is still tired. . I look at my watch and see it's time to leave. "I'm in court today, so any problems call Lucas or Lake. I'll call you when I get a break. Take care and drive carefully."

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Imogen

  The gardening company has some fantastic ideas including a penned in dog play area and a soft play section for the baby as it grows up, he also suggest leaving an area free for a swimming pool if we fancied one later. Standing in the middle of a building site my life suddenly feels very real. I have a house and a dog and very soon a baby, when did this all happen? I feel like I'm on a fairground ride that isn't going to stop any time soon.

  So asking the planner to put everything down on paper and give me a quote for the cost and for the timescale, I leave him to finish his measurements and go and sit on the porch with my head in my hands feeling very overwhelmed and just a bit frightened. I can feel somebody watching me again but when I look around there is no-one there, still all shaky I call Lucas.

  "Hey Sweetcakes, what's up with you? How's the house?"

  All of my worries seem to come crashing down on me and when I start to speak I find that I can't. "Luc, are you busy? Is there any way you could come over to the house for a while." My voice is quiet and just a bit wobbly as I try to contain my tears.

  "Shit Ginny, what's wrong? Look I'm on my way. Get yourself a glass of water and keep out of the heat I'll be with you in twenty." The phone goes dead in my hand and I just sit there trying to get my breathing under control. Phoenix is asleep next to me so I stay put and just keep running my hands over his white and black patchy coat.