The Forever Plan

by Grant, Sienna

  Yeah, I was selfish because all those reasons included me. She then listed all the reasons why she should. Let’s just say every one of those outshone mine and was purely for the benefit of Zoe. I agreed in the end, I had to - I didn’t have a choice.” I shrug, defeated. “I didn’t want her to leave this world knowing we’d argued. Or that I didn’t love her. She was my world. Once we were there, we spent a whole day together just us. Then the doctor came in when she was ready and gave her the fatal injection….”

  My heart splits open as I recall that day. I feel my fists clench on my thighs, as a single tear slips from the corner of my eye.

  “It was over in seconds. Finally, there was no pain lining her face. She was peaceful, rested and then I knew what I agreed to, was the best thing for her.”

  “Oh my god Dylan. I’m sorry.”

  I don’t answer her; I carry on bleeding my heart out all over her living room instead.

  “That flight back home was the longest hour and half of my life. I was alone, broken hearted and angry, mainly at myself.”

  I watch as Serena wipes the tears from her cheeks. Shifting to the floor I kneel before her and take her hands.

  “Serena, I mean it, you own me. I know in my heart that I love you. I want to be with you. I want you to be the one to share my life with me.”

  “Dylan. I can never be Zoe. She sounds amazing.”

  “Shh,” I put my finger on her lips, “I don’t want you to be Zoe because you’re you. I love you for the way you are, not how you could be.”

  “I’m sorry for walking out last night, but I all I heard was you helped her to die - I couldn't figure it out in my head…”

  “Stop apologising. I don't want you to say sorry anymore. If anything, I’m sorry for how I handled it. I should have told you sooner. “

  “I understand why you didn’t.”

  Pushing up onto my knees so we’re the same height, I take her face in my hands again, sealing our lips together in a kiss.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your message.” She tells me breaking our connection.

  “I’m used to it now.” I shrug complacent, but with a hint of a grin. “When I had no answer, I thought I should just come here instead. If you’d have shut the door in my face, then I would have camped out until you were ready to listen to me.”

  I nod smiling. I’m still not sure where we stand right now, but at least she’s not kicking me out. She’s listened to what I had to say and she’s let me get this close. So, I’m thinking I’m on to a winner…

  She traces her fingers over the stubble on my face.

  “I quite like this, but you need a shower and a change of clothes.”

  “Probably. Nothing matters though if I haven’t got you by my side.”

  “Not even your business?”

  “Especially not my business. My business just occupies my mind…”

  She cuts off me off by crashing her lips to mine, in a hard kiss,

  “It distracts me from my demons, but I have you now, right?” I mumble against her mouth.

  Leaning back, a wide smile pulls across her face.

  “I love you too, Dylan. I never thought I’d say those words again.”

  My eyes softly close as her whispered words reach me.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Serena

  “To answer your question, yes you do have me. You have all of me, mind, body and soul.”

  I’ve never meant anything so much in my life. Not even my vows when I got married.

  We’re both smiling so big at each other, I’m pretty certain both our cheeks hurt from it all.

  “You have no idea how happy it makes me hearing you say those words, baby. I thought I lost you for good, when you left me last night.”

  The relief in his voice is clear as day, I believe him. I also believe that we can make this work. Zoe was his past and from what he’s telling me I’m very much his future. He just got caught up in his guilt and went off track for a while. I just need to show him now that there is a way forward.

  “Just so you know, you stink of Jack Daniels. The fumes are actually burning my nose.” I say, trying to lighten the situation, that just got about as heavy as it could get, without clothes being ripped off in the process. Just like that the tension that was building disappears, as we both start to belly laugh at my comment.

  “Serena Davenport, what am I going to do with you? You always manage to make a shitty situation into a good one.”

  Leaning in to lay my lips against his again, he accepts me willingly. Pulling me off the chair and onto the floor with him so I’m lying on top off him. Pushing up on my hands, I jump to my feet laughing at the sulking expression on his face, because I’ve moved.

  “Come on you, no time for rolling around on the floor. Let's get you cleaned up because frankly, if I have to put up with your stench for much longer, I might just throw up.” My brows knit together as I grimace for extra effect.

  “Okay, okay point taken. I’ll go home and get washed up.”

  “Oh no you don’t. That wasn’t what I was talking about. You can shower here Mr. I’ll call Neil and tell him to bring you some fresh clothes over, and to let him that you’re okay. He was quite worried about you when I saw him last night.”

  Closing his eyes as if he’s remembering something, he opens them again.

  “He said he saw you, but he didn’t say where. Last night is a bit vague after you left.”

  “So, you honestly didn’t know where I went? He didn’t tell you?”

  “No, he didn’t, just that you were upset, but you were okay. Why? Where did you see him?”

  “After I ran, I went to Bonnie’s. He was there, something about how his phone died and he borrowed her charger. It’s all a little fuzzy. I wasn’t really paying attention at the time.”

  “Mmm, interesting.” I can see his mind doing overtime, then when a smile creeps on his face and he starts laughing. I know he knows something. Giving him a kick to the leg to which he whines about, I make him tell me.

  “Come on, what do you know that I don’t?”

  “Baby, I’ve known Neil for well over twenty years. Since the day he’s owned a mobile phone, he’s always kept a charger in his car.”

  A gasp leaves my mouth as I cover it with my hand at the same time at his insinuation.

  “Nooooo, they didn’t, but he has a girlfriend?”

  “Who knows, but that’s the most bullshit excuse if I’ve ever heard one. He stayed at mine last night. When I joked, he’d be in trouble for staying out, he shrugged it off saying she’d get over it.”

  “Well now that is very interesting…”

  After our discussion about Bonnie and Neil, we both decided not to say anything to either of them. They would tell us if they wanted to. Neil came over about half an hour ago and brought Dylan some clothes. So now he could finally remove the potent smell, that wasn’t going anywhere soon without a damn good scrub and fresh clothes.

  Standing at the cooker stirring up some pasta I decided to cook for us both, whilst Dylan’s in the shower, I think how things have turned out.

  Dylan wasn’t part of my plan six weeks ago. Hell, he wasn’t even on my radar. It’s funny how things turn out, but then again you know what they say about best laid out plans? They go out the window when Dylan Proctor is involved. He bulldozes his way into your life, not taking no for an answer.

  I can sense him before I see him. He just has this presence that’s not to be ignored, but I do ignore it. I’m not going to show him that I know he’s watching me. If he wants me, he can come and get me.

  To my surprise he does.

  Dylan Proctor has become my Forever Plan.

  No ifs or buts, he just is.

  Epilogue

  Dylan

  One Year Later.

  I roll over into the middle of the bed to find it cold and empty. Tapping my hand on the mattress to find the sexy
woman that shares it with me and coming up with nothing. I try to open my eyes to look around for her. My eyes squint when my gaze lands on a figure at the end of the bed. One foot on the bed, rolling black tights slowly up her long legs. It does nothing for my erection that’s quickly beginning to rise under the covers.

  “What are you doing up?”

  “It’s seven am, I have a meeting in an hour.” She pulls the black skirt up over her rounded arse and strides from the bedroom. I turn back over sinking my head underneath the covers and decide to grab another five minutes.

  The last twelve months have probably been the best of my entire life. I never thought that when I bombarded her life, that it could ever be this good. She gave up the small house she paid rent on and moved in with me after a couple of months. It made more sense to be together than apart. She completely redecorated the whole house, putting her own mark on it and since then we haven’t looked back.

  The smell of coffee wafts through the covers and up my nose, but I don’t move until the covers have been torn back.

  “Dylan Proctor get your arse out of bed.”

  She places my coffee down on the bedside table and leaning over me kissing my cheek. Securing my hands at her waist, I pull her back into bed, as she tries to walk off from me and roll until I’m above her.

  “Why don’t you get back into bed. It’s much more cosier in here.”

  I begin to unfasten the buttons on her shirt until I have her cleavage in my eyeline. I place one arm around her middle, so she can’t wriggle. Then I kiss her, wanting nothing more than to devour my woman.

  “I hate to remind you Mr Proctor, but you also have an appointment, so get up.”

  “Who gives a shit. You’re much more interesting.”

  I kiss her again, then release her from my hold giving in.

  “Ugh, fine.”

  Serena sits up as I roll over and get up. She steps up behind me, smacking my arse. Then goes over to the dresser, while I head for a shower ready to start the day.

  The sooner I make that woman my wife the better. I thought about it for a while now, but something has stopped me. Zoe’s anniversary came and went and through it all Serena was there to help me, soothe me and most of all love me. I won’t say letting Zoe go was easy, but it’s much easier with Serena by my side. I’ll make sure she stays there too.

  What more could I ask for in a wife?

  Putting my most sacred, inner thoughts on hold, I slap some aftershave on and pull my suit jacket on. Serena comes down the stairs in her five-inch heels, dressed to kill and ready for business. I hold out my hand and wait for her to take it.

  “You smell good,” she says inhaling my scent, with her nose against my cheek.

  Pulling her against me with my forearm wrapped around her middle holding her still, I eye her.

  “You also look good.”

  She beams at my compliment, settling a small kiss on my lips. Then she wipes away the excess lipstick that has stuck to mine and we leave our home to go to work.

  I couldn’t have asked for a better business partner as Serena. She’s fearsome and takes no shit from anyone, including me. As I walk past her office, I stop, lean my shoulder against the doorframe. I watch her in full business mode, folding my arms across my chest, she catches me. A raised eyebrow and a smirk teases the corners of her lips, when our eyes meet. Apart from telling her I love her and moving her into my house. Making her a partner in my firm is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. For various reasons of course. The little surprise I have in my pocket for her, is burning a hole and I’m dying to give it to her.

  “Mr Proctor.” Sally interrupts our connection, causing me to sigh.

  “Yes, Sally?”

  “Mr O’Malley is waiting in your office for you…”

  “Great.” I sigh, “Thank you Sally.”

  Throwing Serena, a wink, I head over to my office.

  Straightening my suit jacket, I stride through the door.

  “Mr O’Malley, what can I do for you?”

  He stands from the chair as I approach him. I direct him to sit, I take my seat opposite leaning back and getting myself comfortable. I wait for him to start.

  “Mr Proctor I was wondering, well, I’ve been thinking…” Steve stutters like he’s never done this before, “Well, I’ve got some boards together and I was hoping you’d take a look at them for me. I’ve taken what you said on board and I think it’s helped.”

  “Okay, let’s see what you’ve got.”

  As he begins to set up his boards, I phone through to Serena’s office and tell her to come through into mine. Not two minutes later she bounces into my office. Her red hair swaying down her back, oozing the confidence that she’s always had.

  “Steve, I hope you don’t mind me bringing my business partner into join us.

  “Erm, no, not at all…” Serena walks straight past him, pulling a chair over next to me. Steve looks over at us both. I can see the envy in his eyes at seeing his ex-wife by my side. Who will soon be my wife if I have my way.

  “You can begin when you’re ready Steve.” She tells him in a sickly-sweet voice. I struggle to hold back the smirk, but I stay professional.

  Did I mention this woman is all mine?

  After sitting through twenty minutes of his boring voice, I can’t take anymore.... I’m about to tell him he needs to make some changes, when Serena speaks up stopping me with a hand on my leg.

  “You know Steve if I can offer some alternatives, I’d like to help…”

  I sit back and let Serena work, telling him to change certain things in his presentation. Serena’s smug grin makes me smile as he pack’s away his things and stands from the chair.

  “Thank you, Mr Proctor.”

  “I did nothing, it was all Serena.”

  “Yeah… well thank you Ms Davenport.”

  There’s no hiding the slight sneer in his voice as he says her maiden name, but Serena doesn’t let it bother her. Instead it seems to drive her.

  “You’re welcome. Ring the office anytime and I’ll see when Dylan or I, can fit you in.”

  Standing to shake O’Malley’s hand, I wait for the slime ball to scurry from my office. I grab her hand and pull her up from her chair so we’re chest to chest.

  “Have I ever told you you’re goddamn sexy when you’re in boss mode?”

  Laughing she responds, “Maybe once or twice.”

  Well no time like the present…

  I reach inside my pocket and take the box from it, that I’ve been hiding for the best part of two weeks. Then drop to one knee, opening it out in front of her.

  “Serena Davenport, my beautiful girl. You know by now how much I love you. You’re not just my girl, but you’re my best friend. We’re partners in every sense of the word and I couldn’t live without you by my side. You're my weakness, my strength and my world could never be complete without you in it. I never thought I’d want this with anyone, but you changed all that with your sass and determination…”

  Pulling in a steady breath I go on and ask the question that’s on the tip of my tongue.

  “Serena, will you marry me?”

  Her hands cover a gasp from her mouth.

  “Dylan. Oh, my goodness, it’s absolutely beautiful.”

  She takes the box from me; tears glaze her gorgeous emerald eyes, while she nibbles at her lip. She looks at the princess cut solitaire, diamond ring and back to me again, with a massive smile on her beautiful face, but doesn't say anything else.

  Fuck me, I've never been so bloody nervous.

  “Is that a yes?”

  Standing up from the floor, I dip my head to look into her eyes. Hoping to gain a view into her soul.

  “Yes Dylan, it’s a yes,” she squeals in excitement.

  Lifting her feet from the floor, I spin her around. Then plant my lips to hers in a searing kiss. I’ve never felt as happy as I do today. As I delve in
to her gorgeous green eyes, I know now that I never stood a chance against Serena Davenport.

  Whoever said laid out plans are the best, was a fucking idiot.

  The best ones are those that sneak up and bowl you over. Just like Serena did to me. She tore through my organised life. Changing it for the better and giving me the honour of becoming my Forever Plan.

  The End

  Playlist

  George Michael ~ Faith

  Jess Glynne ~ All I am

  Jackie Wilson ~ Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher

  Cheryl ~ Love Made Me Do It

  Promiscuous ~ Nelly Furtado

  Natalie Cole ~ This Will Be

  Why Don’t We ~ Big Plans

  Kings Of Leon ~ Closer

  Texas ~ Say What You Want

  About The Author

  Sienna Grant

  Sienna Grant is a 39-year-old married mother of three children from the UK. She loves reading, but her secret passion was to one day write her own book, so when she had to give up work, she decided to put pen to paper and jot down some ideas. After friends had pushed her to go for it, she took their advice and opened her up to a whole new world.

  Picking up the Pieces was her debut novel and is book 1 of the Broken Series.

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