by Danielle Fox
“Well, Natalie is fine. Turned out she had something that belonged to your father and he wanted it back,” she explained and I noticed a slight hint of annoyance in her tone.
“That was what all of this was about? What was it?” I could vaguely recall watching her throw something across the street, but I had no clue as to what it was.
“His little black book, as she called it. It had all the names and addresses of anyone he ever had business with. Obviously if anyone got wind of it, your father would’ve been jailed for the rest of his life, either that or murdered by any one of those names in the book that would have been revealed.”
“Why the fuck didn’t she just tell me that?” I suddenly felt angry. How could she keep something like that to herself when I had spent the best part of my life trying to protect her from him? What the fuck was she playing at?
“I don’t know. That’s not important right now, baby.”
I inhaled deeply, causing a piercing pain to shoot up my rib cage. “Where’s my father?”
Emily’s eyes dropped to our hands as she seemed to be struggling with what to say. “You don’t remember the car?” she asked, her voice revealing her nerves. Why was she nervous? He must have gotten away. I had kind of hoped I had killed him without remembering, although I was certain I would remember that, no matter how badly concussed I was.
I closed my eyes briefly and thought hard about the last thing I could remember. Nothing about a car rang any bells. And then the sound filled my ears once more. The deafening screech of the tyres against the wet Tarmac, the overbearing roar of the engine. “I remember hearing a car. What happened?”
“A car came from nowhere. It knocked your dad down. He died instantly.”
Wow! I almost choked on the overwhelming emotion that filled me as I began to make sense of what Emily had just told me. My father was dead. I no longer had to look over my shoulder everywhere I went. No longer had to worry for my family’s safety. He was gone. He couldn’t hurt them again. I felt my smile widen again. It might make me sick in the head, but I couldn’t think of a more pleasing piece of news.
“Who was driving the car?” I asked eager to find out who had saved my life.
“We have no idea. They didn’t stick around to be identified.”
“What about the car? Did you see it?”
“No, I didn’t see anything. I heard it, but it wasn’t until Natalie came back up that I came down. The car was long gone.”
“Was it Ryan?”
“Nope, Ryan finally showed up about thirty seconds after it happened.” She winced slightly. “He dealt with your dad’s friend, but don’t ask me how, I didn’t ask.” She paused and locked her gaze on mine. “God, that was nearly enough to kill me, Julian. Not knowing what was going on and not being able to help. And when I saw you...just lying there,” she trailed off, taking a shaky breath as she squeezed her eyes together. “I thought you were dead,” she blurted out before dropping her head to my chest as her body shook violently with her tears.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m here,” I soothed, sliding my fingers into her hair and holding her firmly in place.
I was discharged from hospital three days later. I was told I had suffered a severe concussion and severe bruising to my ribs. There was a clean break in my forearm that required a cast for the next eight weeks, but I was alive, and my father was dead. That was enough for me. I wracked my brain over and over again trying to figure out who the hell had been there to run my father down. If it wasn’t Ryan, then who the fuck was it? I couldn’t think of a single person who would have done that for me, or a single scenario that could explain it. People rarely drove down that street at all, let alone fast enough to kill a man instantly. It was no accident, it wasn’t a simple hit and run. Someone had done this. But who?
It felt amazing to be back at home, surrounded by reminders of Emily and Maia and our new life together. Emily wouldn’t let me lift a single finger. She waited on me hand and foot, supplying me with a constant stream of fresh drinks and snacks. Maia was spending the next few nights at Samantha’s, giving me some time to recover, but I couldn’t wait to see her. I was missing her perfect little smile, her glowing wide eyes. I finally felt human again. As long as I continued to swallow my painkillers, my pain was almost non-existent until I moved my head suddenly, which I tried desperately to remember not to do often.
“What do you fancy for lunch?” Emily asked, making my stomach clench as the memory of the event that followed when I had asked her the same question popped into my thoughts.
“Just you.” I grinned wickedly, raising a single brow.
“Don’t even think about it!” she scolded, looking even sexier than usual as her cheeks glowed crimson. “I would imagine that’s the worst thing for your head right now.”
“Then I suggest you take good care of me. I can lay still, my head will be unaffected.”
Sex should’ve been the last thing on my mind in my current state, but I needed her. I needed to feel her warmth around me. It had been five days since I had been alone with her. I needed to feel that she was still mine, with the one and only way that couldn’t ever pretend.
“I need you,” I whispered, begging her with my eyes as she sat down beside me on the sofa.
“Then I suppose, as your carer, I’m obligated to give you whatever you need,” she mimicked, carefully positioning herself above me before kissing me deeply.
Emily opened the door, ordering me to stay put on the sofa as she let Natalie and Ryan in. Natalie apologised over and over again for ever letting things go that far, as far as my father was concerned. But, in a strange way, I was now glad she had kept the book to herself. He must have spent the best part of twenty years in prison, fretting and terrified that Natalie would reveal his precious list to the police. He deserved that. I didn’t mind the beating that he had given me, simply because it had resulted in his death. He deserved that, too.
“I honestly thought he’d killed you,” Natalie said, wiping at her cheek with the back of her hand. “You certainly took a hell of a beating, Julian.”
“There’s a first time for everything.” I smirked, winking.
“It’s not a joking matter!” she scolded. “Oh, I almost forgot,” she screeched, seemingly forgetting her anger entirely as her hand eagerly dived into her handbag. “Here, look at these.” She handed me a small white card as her face glowed with excitement.
I studied the blank card before opening it slowly. Ah, the scan, I had forgotten all about her appointment with my doctor. The small grey image of my little niece or nephew stared back at me from inside the card. I could clearly make out the side profile of a small face and could even see a tiny little leg; it actually looked like a baby. Although, I’m not sure why this surprised me, it was a baby after all. I smiled and handed the card to Emily.
“So everything’s okay?” I asked
“Everything is fine. Perfect size and no sign of any problems.”
“How far gone are you?” Emily chirped from beside me. I glanced across to her and saw her staring thoughtfully at the picture with a warm smile on her lips.
“Slightly further than we thought, thirteen weeks today.”
Emily handed the pictures back before pulling Natalie into a hug and gushing about how happy she was for them both. I slapped Ryan’s back, as men did, and I found myself envying him slightly. I wanted a family with Emily, and that was something I never thought I’d find myself even considering. Of course I was happy for the two of them, but there was a strong part of me that was wishing it was Emily and I flashing around photos of our unborn baby. If there was anything I had learned in the past week, it was that life was far too short to sit back and watch your dreams fade away.
“I think it’s about time we considered a brother or sister for Maia, it’s no fun growing up on your own without a sibling to fight with.” I winked at Natalie before turning my attention to Emily. She was staring at me, unblinking, mouth agape, looking more tha
n adorable.
“Are you serious?” she gasped, her eyes remaining wide but with a hint of a smile touching her lips.
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life,” I stated, pulling her hand to my mouth and kissing her knuckles.
She looked deep in thought before her eyes warmed. “That’s something we can discuss after the wedding. We only have about five weeks to sort that out.”
“Five weeks?” Natalie yelped. “You’ve set the date and failed to tell me?” Now she looked angry again.
“Sorry, we booked it a few days ago and haven’t had the chance to spread the word yet,” Emily explained, looking somewhat embarrassed, or ashamed, I couldn’t tell which. “I was kind of hoping you might be able to help me organise it. And, given the fact it’s tradition for the best man to sleep with the bridesmaid, it’s only right you should be up there at the altar with me.”
Natalie’s mouth popped open. “Are you asking me to be your bridesmaid?”
“I am. I would be honoured if you’d accept. And not just because of the best man rule.” Emily smiled tightly, looking nervous.
“I would love to! Thank you!” Natalie hurled herself at Emily, wrapping her arms around her shoulders and squeezing tightly. I realised I was grinning like an idiot as I watched them.
“So, I’m the best man, am I?” Ryan grinned, looking smug and somewhat pleased with himself.
“Of course, that goes without saying.”
There was nothing more I could possibly want from life. I had the one woman - soon to become my wife - who I loved more than I ever thought possible, by my side. A soon to be daughter - if Emily stuck to her word and allowed me to formally adopt Maia after the wedding. And my sister was finally free of my father. I was still determined to find who had killed my father, and I’d be sure to show them nothing but gratitude when I did, but until then, I was happy in my own perfect bubble where everyone I cared about was safe, and with me. For life.
Epilogue
Julian:
“I might need to start advertising for a new barmaid if Gemma doesn’t buck her ideas up,” Emily ranted as she walked into the office at The Lounge. I couldn’t help but smile at her angered expression. It never failed to make me hard.
“You having problems, baby?” I asked as I closed the file on my desk and stood to greet my wife properly.
“Problems? She’s taking the piss, this is the third time she’s called in sick at the last minute in the past two weeks. The club is going to be packed tonight, and now I’m a member short,” she said as I snaked my arm around her waist, pulling her body flush against mine.
“Relax, I’ll call Natalie.”
“It’s her night off, Julian. Besides, Ryan’s already on the door, she has Charlie to think about.”
“Charlie’s a big boy now; he can stay at ours with Samantha. Maia and Oliver would love to see him.”
“Okay, I suppose you’re right. I better get back to the bar, thank you.” She pressed a kiss to my lips before spinning around and heading out of the door.
“Emily, you’re the boss now; you don’t have to slog it behind the bar.”
“I want to, thank you,” she replied as she disappeared around the corner. Emily had run The Lounge for the past four years, yet she still insisted on working her fair share, along with the rest of the girls. If it was good enough for her staff, then it was good enough for her, she had repeatedly informed me. That’s one of the many things I loved about Emily. She never saw herself higher than anybody else. We were all equal, money and status didn’t even come in to it.
I heard a soft tap on the door and Adrian waltzed in before I had the chance to respond. “Hi, Julian, how’s things?” he asked as he helped himself to a pile of CCTV tapes.
“Good, thank you, Adrian. I didn’t realise you were here tonight,” I stated as though it was actually a question. Adrian was now the head of security at Allure, he only worked occasional events here at The Lounge, and I was sure tonight wasn’t one of those events.
“I’m not, just short on tapes at Allure, didn’t think you’d mind if I borrowed a couple.”
“You take whatever you need, you know that.”
“Thanks. Catch up with ya later,” he said, winking once.
He didn’t even need to ask. Anything he wanted, it was his. Although he very rarely accepted anything. He had, without a doubt, saved my life almost seven years ago. When Emily had called him back to let him know we had found Maia, and that she was safe, he had asked questions. Emily apparently hadn’t said much other than that I was in trouble, and that she hadn’t known how to help me. He had insisted on coming over to the apartment and although Emily refused, he came anyway. If Adrian hadn’t have swerved around that corner when he did, taking my father out in his path, then there was no doubt about it, I wouldn’t be standing here now. I would spend my life making it up to him. Any impatience I had felt towards him in the past had long gone, since Emily was now my wife so officially off limits, and Adrian had shacked up with Samantha shortly after her split with Michael. Everyone seemed happy, content. I no longer had to watch his every look towards Emily. He loved her like I loved Natalie. He was like a brother to her. And so he was also like a brother to me.
Emily hadn’t been wrong, The Lounge was heaving. I made my way over to the bar and waved to get Emily’s attention. A wide smile brightened her flustered cheeks when she saw me. “Hey, baby. Please tell me Natalie is coming.”
“She’s on her way, she’s just dropping Charlie at ours first,” I informed her before she tore her attention from me and served a waiting punter beside me.
When she faced away from him, to pour his whiskey, I glanced across to find him running his filthy eyes over her backside. My blood pulsed through my ears and my fists involuntarily clenched, but I managed to make it all the way to ten, just as I had been practising for years now, by counting each deliberate breath. My fists loosened and I hopped straight over the top of the bar, too impatient to walk around to the opening.
“I’ll give you a hand,” I stated, winking at Emily and taking the man’s prepared drink from her hand. I couldn’t resist pressing a deep kiss against her parted lips, as unprofessional as it may look, just to let every man standing at that bar know that she was mine. She was my wife, and I didn’t take kindly to people eye-fucking her as she served them their drinks. It was disrespectful. It was disgusting.
The man’s eyes lowered to his hands as I took Emily’s place and handed him his drink. No matter how long we had been together, and how sure I was that Emily only had eyes for me, I still couldn’t help my raging jealousy. I had simply taught myself how to deal with it in a more appropriate manner than dragging any man who looked at my wife outside and giving him a good hiding. I was a father now, I had responsibilities, and I had an example to set. I didn’t want Oliver to grow up like his daddy, fighting with every person who manages to piss him off, and unable to control his temper. I wanted him turn out like Emily, kind and gentle and forgiving. Maia was barely more than a baby herself, in my opinion, but at just ten years old she was already exactly like her mother. She had the most caring nature I had ever known of, but even then she didn’t take kindly to people taking the piss. I liked to think I was to thank for that particular trait. If someone was trying to take advantage, she could spot it a mile off, especially when it came to her little brother. I would regularly catch her watching Oliver in the playground when I arrived to collect them from school, and as soon a boy had even looked at him the wrong way, Maia had stomped over to stand protectively in front of Oliver as she gave the boy a piece of her mind. I should probably have intervened and told her the rules of speaking politely to people, but I didn’t, it was too damn funny to watch. She had made me prouder than I had ever felt that day. She had proven to me, without knowing it, that she not only had balls, so to speak, but she would also do anything to protect her baby brother. Of course, he was no longer a baby either, as he constantly reminded me wh
enever I let the word slip out, “I’m not a baby, Daddy. I’m six now, that’s a big number”.
I didn’t care how old they were, ages were just that - numbers. They would both always be my babies.
“You ready to go, baby?” I asked as I glanced around the now silent, empty club.
“I certainly am. I can’t wait to get you into bed!” She flashed that smile at me and I was instantly hard.
That was another of the many things I loved about Emily. It didn’t matter how tired she was, how long a day she had had, she always had time for me in the bedroom. And you’d never hear me complaining.
I followed Emily silently into Oliver’s bedroom first. He was fast asleep, clutching a teddy tightly against his chest. I could feel the wide smile on my face as I watched him, his small chest raising and falling deeply as he no doubt dreamed beautiful dreams. No nightmares, no haunting memories, just sweet peaceful dreams like every child should have. I crouched down beside his bed and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. He inhaled noisily and rolled over, but he didn’t wake.
“Daddy loves you,” I whispered before covering his freed leg with the duvet.
As soon as I crouched beside Maia, she stirred and her large blue eyes blinked open. “Hi, Daddy,” she mumbled in a voice so angelic it made my heart clench.
“Hey, you. You should be sleeping.”
“I was sleeping. You woke me up.”
“Sorry, angel. I just wanted to say goodnight to my favourite daughter.” I stroked my hand across her forehead, removing the long chestnut waves that strayed dangerously close to her eyes, and kissed her temple. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Daddy. Goodnight,” she whispered before her eyes closed.
It never got old, hearing my two beautiful children calling me daddy or telling me they loved me. Each time was just as special as the first.
Emily:
I gazed up at the large black and white photo that hung above our bed of Julian kissing my temple on our wedding day and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, as I never had been able to since the day Julian became my husband. I could still remember that very moment like it happened yesterday. We had just finished cutting our wedding cake and Julian had laughed carelessly as he had attempted to feed me a spoonful of it, only to miss my mouth entirely and land the squidgy mess on my cheek. He had wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to his side as he pressed a firm but loving kiss against my temple whilst desperately trying to mask his amusement. I still had the splodge of cake on my cheek in the picture, but it was so natural that I loved it. It showed the real Julian. The carefree Julian that had emerged since his father had been killed. The Julian that laughed and joked and played childish tricks on me. The Julian that I loved more than life itself.