by Marie Kelly
As the grey half-light heralded morning, Sara rose, stiffly moving her aching muscles as she unwound herself from her curled up position on the chair. The dress was a mess, its once exquisite flowing material now crinkled and sticking up and out at odd angles. Moving to the window she peered at the clock on the wall, sighing softly - 6:00 already. In an hour they would be down to take Carly to surgery, her stomach flipping at the thought of her beloved Carly undertaking such an operation, fear and concern filling her. She knew that it was routine, but it was Carly… her little girl. With a gentle smile on her face she looked over at the child asleep on the bed, her features so serious, her small heart-shaped mouth set mutinously, brows drawn in a frown, Sara’s heart filling with the love she felt for the little girl.
The movement from the door made Sara jump, smiling warmly seeing Rachel standing with a large bag in her hand. Motioning the other woman in, she looked at her with the surprise she felt.
“Rachel? How…what?” the questions falling over themselves as she whispered in confusion. Rachel gave a small chuckle, her eyes falling onto the small child still sleeping in the bed, a gentle compassionate look entering her features. “How is she? Darius phoned and told me that you were here with the little girl you are adopting”, her voice kindly, Sara feeling the slamming awareness of his name. “H…He did?” she managed gently, Rachel nodding.
“He had me up at four this morning”, waving away the apologetic words that rose to Sara’s mouth. “No…Its fine”, her gaze once more returning to the bed. “I was around at some warehouses I know…they are open super early, so it was no problem. I think I got everything on his list”, handing over the large overnight bag, gently patting Sara’s arm. “If you need anything else…anything…I promise it is no bother, just ring me”
Sara nodded as she once again thanked her, Rachel slowly and silently once more backing out of the room, giving her a final wave as she disappeared out of sight. Opening the bag, she gave a smile seeing the jeans, t-shirt and trainers, sighing with pleasure at the small silk bag full of toiletries. Delving deeper she drew out small bright pink pyjamas decorated with images of princesses and nightdresses also, smiling at the expensive and wonderful items, her eyes once more looking at the small girl on the bed, wearing pyjamas which had seen better days, thankful that Darius included items for Carly on his list.
Delving further, she felt the small happy tear rise to her eye as she pulled out a large teddy bear, one of the softest she had ever felt, her lips curling into a large grin as she quietly moved over to place the bear on the bed beside Carly so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up. An assortment of books and toys completed the contents of the bag, and Sara placed them on the nightstand, brightening the austere room instantly.
She hoped that there would have been some word from Darius…a note, a card, but there was nothing, the happiness she felt from the many gifts marred by his silence. He had left for Italy with a last kindly act…and silence for her, Sara feeling the pain of knowing that he must have nothing but contempt for her. She wished that she could tell him how she felt…how she loved him…but it was too late for that. With a heavy heart she wondered if he would even look her up when he did eventually return from Italy.
The stirring of the little girl on the bed as she woke pulled her thoughts back as Sara moved over to sit on the chair. “Good morning sleepyhead”, she chuckled softly as Carly’s eyes fluttered open, a sweet smile on her lips as she saw Sara so close. As she moved, her hands touched the bear, her eyes flying to it as she gave an excited squeal. “Look…look Sara…I got a teddy bear”, her small features becoming momentarily so serious. “I told you I was brave” Sara nodded as the child pulled the bear against herself, hugging it lovingly before holding it out for her to see.
“You are the bravest little girl I know”, Sara stated somberly as Carly giggled, pulling it to herself once more. “His name is Teddy”, she declared, as Sara held back the laugh, nodding seriously in agreement. “The best name ever”, she declared, delighting the little girl.
The entrance of the nurse, so jovial and kindly saw all the nerves return once more as they prepared Carly for surgery. She had been allowed to walk as far as the theatre with the little girl, holding her hand, ignoring the looks of those they passed as she still wore the clothes of the previous evening. With a final kiss on her small cheek and a promise to look after Teddy, Sara returned to the room, the nurses allowing her to use the bathroom to shower and change, Sara gaining some relief from feeling clean once more.
Two hours later she looked in the room, breathing a sigh of relief that the surgery had gone to plan. She was told that the little girl would be kept in post-op until she woke, normally about four hours, giving her time to get some breakfast before returning to Carly’s ward to wait for her return.
At midday she frowned as Beth, the manager of the children’s home Carly had been assigned to appeared, anger filling Sara, before confusion, seeing the woman beside her. The senior social worker, Janice, a kindly and fair woman, looked warily at Sara, Beth looking malevolently smug. “How is Carly?” Janis was the first to talk, smiling softly at the nervous-looking Sara. “She is fine…the operation went well”, she responded, her eyes searching, moving to Beth, her voice angry. “She should have seen a doctor earlier”
Beth glared back, her tone snippy, “I made sure that she was seen”, her mouth curling into a snarl, Sara biting her tongue not to lash out at the woman. “Sara…I am sorry but we have to talk” Janice moved over to stand closer to her. “Please understand that this has been taken out of my hands…but we have found a couple who want to adopt Carly” Sara felt her legs start to shake, her knees weakening as she put out a hand to the wall to steady herself, her eyes staring in stunned shock.
“N…no…y…you can’t. Three months. I have a court order stating that I have three months to get everything in place…things have just been crazy”, her voice pleading as she stared at Janice. The older woman looked uncomfortable, her features softening. “As I said, it was taken out of my hands. I am sorry Sara, I really am” At this Beth stepped forward, her face full of malevolent pleasure. “Carly needs a reliable stable home. You have had over seven weeks to get your life in order Sara, and you are no further forward now than you were then”, her voice dripped with barely contained hatred. “You still have no home, no job” Sara’s eyes flicked between the two women “I have a job. I start at the Garelli Corporation tomorrow”
The derisive sound from the manager made her eyes narrow, “Garelli Corporation? Your boyfriend gave you a job. How can anybody take that seriously, not given the kind of ‘work’ you are doing for him? What happens when he gets bored of you?” Sara gave a gasp, anger filling her at the innuendo in her words, the manager continuing, “With the rumours of your marriage and your chosen lifestyle…well let’s just say that they are not conducive to bringing up a child”
“RUMOURS!” Sara’s voice grew higher as she glared back at the manager, “You are basing Carly’s life and the wishes of her mother on rumours!”
The manager’s eyes were full of a similar anger, “I spoke to the board today and explained everything and they agreed with me that you were and always would be an unfit mother for Carly. They have revoked the three month timeline making it possible for that little girl to be adopted into a loving home”
Sara could feel the tears and panic rise within her as she turned to Janice. “Y…you can’t do that…I just need another few days. I have a job and will have a home by then…I promise I will” Janice looked sympathetically at Sara, her features showing annoyance as Beth gave a dismissive snort. “Really? Well I think that the rumours are all true Sara. Given that you seem to be more interested in chasing after some billionaire playboy than in settling down for Carly then I have to believe that the rumours are not without foundation. My understanding is that you are living at his home, his latest mistress…and the man is well known for his womanising…what kind of sta
ble environment would that be for Carly…being dragged from one boyfriend to the next?” Her voice was superior and gloating, enjoying her chance to put down Sara, this woman who had questioned her care of Carly every step of the way. Janice glared warningly as the manager continued her features full of venom. “You lie down with scum Sara…then you become one of them…”
The voice behind the woman saw her whip around, an uncomfortable expression coming to her face. “I really hope that you are not talking about me”, Darius’ voice low and dangerous, his appearance unheard and unseen by any of the three women as moving even closer he towered over them all. Turning his look to the distraught Sara, her features showing her shock at seeing him he gave her a small encouraging smile. “How is Carly?” his voice soft as she stared back at him, not believing he was there.
“S…she is fine…well” Darius gave her a small wink before turning his attention to the other two women. He smiled warmly at Janice, before turning a cooler look to Beth. “Perhaps somebody would be so kind as to tell me what is going on”, his question brooking no argument as with a sob Sara blurted out “They are taking Carly from me…they are placing her with another family”
Darius gave her a determined shake of his head. “No…No they are not Sara. Nobody is taking Carly from you” Beside him, Janice looked uncomfortable, her sympathy still with Sara as she looked at the handsome man before her. “I am sorry Mr?” her tone polite as Darius gave her his surname.
“The Board overturned their previous decision…I am afraid that when she leaves the hospital Carly is being placed with another family” A low hurt sob was torn from Sara, tears of shock and pain running unchecked down her face, seeing his mouth set as he repeated, “Nobody is taking Carly from you Sara”, as she sobbed, a small flicker of hope lighting in her chest.
Beth gave another small snort, Darius’ eyes moving to her. “The decision has been made, Mr Garelli. The Board has decided that Sara is an unfit caregiver for Carly”, her cutting look full of contempt as she flicked a look over at the woman trying so hard to keep things together. “She was given plenty of time to turn her life around. To provide a stable home and financial security and she chose instead to run after men like you” Darius’ eyes narrowed, darkening dangerously as he fixed them on the stout woman before him. “Is that a fact?” his voice cold, “You must be Mrs Taylor” She blinked in surprise, nodding, confused that he knew her name. “Y…Yes”, she confirmed as he held her look. “Firstly. Sara is NOT an unfit caregiver for Sara, unlike you Mrs Taylor, but we will get back to that”, his look flicking to Janice. “Sara has plenty of financial security” Beth made yet another contemptuous sound as he talked over her.
“How much would it take for you to consider her financially stable…ten thousand dollars…a hundred thousand…a million…whatever the figure is then that will be sitting in her account by the end of the day if need be” Sara stared at Darius, her mouth dropped in shock. “S…she has no home to take her to”, Beth stuttered, as again Darius turned on her.
“By this time tomorrow she could own her own home, again, if that is what it takes”, his eyes flicking to Sara, a strange light within them. “Although I am hoping that will not be necessary”, this added more softly.
By now Beth was flustered, her words coming out in fits, “B…but … her reputation…her marriage breakup…her relationship with YOU”, she cried, Darius noticing as Janice looked uncomfortable. With more steel Darius glared down on the now red-faced woman. “Lies spread by her ex-husband…her abusive ex-husband. Sara found herself in a dangerous environment and took steps to get out…proof that she would give Carly the safe upbringing that she deserves. As for Sara and I …while it is none of your business…I will share something with you that must go no further.”
Janice gave him a supportive smile, Beth fidgeting nervously, not liking the way that things were going. “Sara could have another home tomorrow if that was what she wanted, but I truly hope that it does not come to that because she lives with me”, his eyes flashed in warning as Beth sneered at him. “Yes … for how long?” her derision short-lived as he continued, “Sara and I are engaged. It is not public knowledge…but as you see we plan on giving Carly the secure home that she needs”
Janice smiled widely, her hands rising to her heart as she turned to Sara, Sara’s eyes flying to Darius, “Oh…Sara…I am so happy for you. I wish you had said…I will speak to the Board at once”, moving over to pull the younger woman in for a hug, her genuinely happy smile directed at Darius also. “I truly believe that the Board will be more than happy to hear what is happening…perhaps Carly could even return home with you both”, giving another happy chuckle, “I am so happy. I really, really am” Darius gave her a large return smile.
“Thank you Janice. As you see, not only will Carly have the financial stability she deserves, but she will be brought up in a good home, with Sara being there for her all day, not having to work if she doesn’t want to” Beth stood open-mouthed, disbelief written all over her face as she stared from one to the other, her mouth flapping open and closed wordlessly. “There is one more thing”, Darius’ voice now firm as he looked at Beth. “I had my investigators look into what happened last night, and why Mrs Taylor seems so against Sara adopting”
With a small curve of his mouth he saw the look of panic enter Beth’s eyes. “Did you know Janice that it took Sara threatening to call the police last night to get Mrs Taylor to phone the doctor?” The social worker stared at the other woman with disbelief “No…No I did not…but she was clearly sick”, a hard look coming to her eyes. “Also…” Darius continued, “The couple wanting to adopt Carly are personal friends of Mrs Taylor… and that she recommended them to the Board”
This time Janice’s voice had been as cold as his, her look taking in the guilty expression on the other woman’s face. “I did not know that either and I believe that it is against rules to push for your friends…perhaps the board should be taking a better look at you…not Sara”
With that she gave Sara another wide smile congratulating her again before shaking Darius’ hand, he giving her a wide return smile. Turning she then moved away, Beth chasing after her as she tried to explain, her voice high and whining.
Finally alone Sara turned to look at Darius, confusion filling her lovely features. “How?…”, all she managed before he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, his mouth falling to take hers in a kiss full of fire and heat, Sara groaning as her arms flew around his neck, clutching at him as she kissed him back. Pulling back she felt the bubble of happiness rising within her as she stared up at him with eyes which shone with wonder.
“How did you know about Beth? What?” her eyes widening as stunned shock filled her, “Engaged!!!?” Darius smiled happily back at her as he gently kissed the tip of her nose. “I have spoken with the doctor and they are letting Carly home in two days…I have organised for her to be moved into a private room with a bed for you”, a grin filled his handsome features. “I got the feeling that you would not want to leave her”
“I…well no” she agreed, still watching him, her features full of so many questions, a mysterious expression filling his. “Tonight when she is asleep…let me take you out for dinner”, her look of concern making him place a finger on her lips. “I promise that I will have you back here so that you are here for her waking”, his eyes so serious, “We need to talk Sara…alone”
“W…what about what you said?” she stuttered as he stepped back, a mysterious smile on his lips. “I will pick you up at eight…she should be asleep by then right?”, he questioned as she nodded, Darius spun around and moved back down the corridor, Sara watched him silently until he was out of sight, her mind a whirl of confusion.
Still stunned and with so many emotions flying through her, Sara had little time to ponder what he said; as soon after he disappeared down the corridor, Carly was wheeled back from post-op, a nurse leading Sara to their luxurious private room. She held the hand of the li
ttle girl, so frail and tiny on the large bed, her heart swelling as she had been able to tell her that when she left the hospital it would be to go home with her, the happiness on the small child’s face despite the pain she was in filling her once more with relief.
That Darius turned around the situation in which she lost Carly there was no doubt, but she was still stunned as to why he had, why he defended her and offered everything that would be needed for her to still be considered a suitable caregiver for the little girl? Frowning she wondered if this was his new way of gaining a hold on her, ensuring that she did not leave him, the situation in which he planned to throw her out having changed, both of them knowing it.
With a small frown she wondered why this did not seem so bad, when Nigel’s attempts to do the same had been unthinkable. Smiling softly she knew that Darius did not and no doubt never would love her, but he still desired her, a hint of sadness touching her soft mouth as she was reminded at how the same situation had turned out with Nigel and herself.
Taking a deep breath, she again kissed Carly’s small hand. She was nothing like Nigel, she would live with Darius for as long as he wanted her, Sara instinctively knowing that he would never see she or Carly left homeless when their affair ended, this sad thought not filling her with relief but a pain which sat deep down in her stomach. He had blackmailed her into his bed, but falling in love with him had been her own choice. Sara knew that she would love him for the rest of her life, wondering if with all that she had gone through for him six years ago she had always loved him.
At eight, as promised, Darius appeared. He smiled at the small child still asleep, her small body almost lost in the large adult bed, one arm draped over the teddy bear he had picked out himself. “How is she?” he whispered, reaching out to take Sara’s hand. She gave him a large smile, Darius seeing how relaxed she seemed, as though a great weight had been lifted from her body.