“No.” I bark. “I hate hospitals,” I add grumpily.
“That makes two of us,” he states. “But we still need to have you checked out,” he argues.
“I’ll see my doctor Monday.” I say, the pain making me wince again.
“You’re local G.P?” he asks. “Is he good?”
I shrug. “I have no idea. I’m hardly ever sick so I’ve rarely been. He might not even be there anymore.” I muse.
“We’ll see my private Doctor.” He says.
“You already have a Doctor here?” I ask in shock.
“Yes.” Tristan looks confused as to why I would find this shocking.
“You sure do move fast don’t you?” I tease.
“You should see me in my car,” he says, his eyes dancing with excitement. Yeah, I bet it’s loads of fun. I have to laugh at his animated expression, but it makes my head pound, so I hold my head in my hands again.
“Ok enough talk.” Standing to his feet, he walks the couple of steps over to the patio door, pulls the curtain across, and walks back over to me.Taking my cup off me, he places it on the coffee table and sits next to me.
Then taking me by complete surprise, he gently pulls on my upper arms so that I end up lying down, adjacent to the length of his body. I have my head on his chest, my arm across his torso, and somehow he managed to wrap his arm around me.His fingers start making smooth soft circles across my shoulder – Oh wow…this feels… amazing.
“Sleep now Coral,” he softly says.
“Hmm…” It’s so lovely and relaxing that I start to drift off.Tristan suddenly moves his leg, trapping mine underneath his. I do not like that. I try not to panic, because right now, everything else about this moment feels wonderful; and he’s not to know that would freak me out.
I take a calming breath. “Tristan,” I say trembling slightly.
He stills and looks down at me. “What’s wrong?” I look up at him and meet his eyes, they are watching me carefully.
“Let go of my leg,” I tell him.He instantly releases me. I put my head back on his chest. I can hear his heart is pounding. “Are you ok?” I ask. “Your heart’s beating so fast?” I add.
“Yeah,” he sighs, then puts his other arm around me and squeezes me tight for a moment. “Just trying to figure out what happened to you – who hurt you,” he adds.I sigh inwardly.“I know someone did,” he croaks, then goes back to rhythmically stroking me.
I say nothing. I’m not ready to share that yet, so I close my eyes and try to drift off.
The peaceful feeling from the dream engulfs me, I revel in it. In fact, I can't quite believe this is actually happening. Then I question would this have happened if I hadn’t had the accident with Lily? Would I be lying here peacefully in his arms, not feeling any kind of negative feelings at all?
The answer is no – I don’t think I would be. Gladys has always said things happen for a reason, that you might not see it’s purpose at the time, but it all has meaning.
“Tristan,” I mumble sleepily.
“Hmm…”
“Did you sleep on the floor last night?”
“Hmm…”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes.” He answers with that sexy, husky voice of his.
“Don’t do that again.” I scold.
“Ok.” He chuckles, it vibrates through me and I find myself smiling too.
“Why didn’t you just take the bed?” I ask.
“Because you were incapacitated, and I wanted to watch you, make sure you didn’t show any weird signs during the night. Plus, the bathroom is downstairs, it was just easier that way.”
“Bathroom?” I squeak in panic, he instantly picks up on it.
He chuckles at me. “Relax, you were out cold, I didn’t have to take you.”
“Oh!” Relief floods through me, then I re-run his words, ‘I wanted to watch you’ “You watched me all night?” I whisper.
“Yes,” he huskily croaks. How sweet is that?
“Jeez Tristan, you must be whacked?” He starts chuckling harder this time, then sighs in a high pitch tone.
“You’re funny Coral,” he says, then plants a soft kiss on my hair. It’s such a sweet gesture, making my heart ache. Oh what am I doing? Falling hard, that’s what you’re doing!
“Hey Tristan,” I mumble. I can barely keep my eyes open.
“Hmm…”
“Thanks for everything. Looking after me...I’m really glad you’re here.” I tell him giving him a little squeeze of my own.
“Me too,” he whispers, squeezing me tightly again, only this time he keeps both arms wrapped around me.
I am cocooned in a Tristan bubble.
A stupid smile starts to play across my face.
I am officially in heaven...
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I HEAR A STRANGE TAPPING NOISE. I sleepily open my eyes. Oh, I’m still straddled over Tristan. I crane my neck back to see his face, he’s out cold. I watch him for a moment, peacefully sleeping. Then it hits me – Holy crap! I’ve been lying here sleeping with him and I’ve had the best sleep ever, no nightmares! I never did that with Justin.
I sigh blissfully and put my head back on his chest. Tap, Tap, Tap...I frown at the noise and lift my head up. What is that?
“Aunty Coral?” I hear Lily’s voice squeak. Am I dreaming? I look back at Tristan. I hope so, then bang, bang, bang...
Tristan’s eyes dart open. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes,” I groan. “I thought I was still dreaming,” I add grumpily. Tristan and I gaze at each other for a moment, the reflection in our eyes saying the same thing – our blissful time has ended for now.
“Coral, it’s Debs, you in there?” I hear her shout.
“Yes.” I shout back, pushing myself up.
“I’ll get it.” Tristan says, stopping me from getting up off the sofa. I watch him walk over to the patio door, pull the curtains across, unlock the door, and pull it open.Lily comes bounding in first, followed by Debs who just stares open mouthed at Tristan, then at me.
“Good morning Debbie,” Tristan says.
“M-morning,” she stutters, blinking rapidly.
“Aunty Coral!” Lily screeches throwing herself onto me. I quickly catch her so that she doesn’t bash my nose again.
“Hey birthday girl, did you have a nice day?” I ask.
“Your nose looks terrible,” she tells me.
“Thanks, how’s your head?”
“I have a big bump,” she says proudly, touching the top of her head.
I reach up and feel the lump. “Ouch!” I say.
“It doesn’t hurt now,” she says mockingly, as though I should now this.
“Oh good, my nose still hurts,” I tell her. She goes to poke it with her finger, with lighting quick speed I grab hold of it just in time. “No Lily, you can’t touch it, it’s too painful,” I admonish, trying not to sound too angry.
“Sorry,” she whimpers, looking very forlorn.
“It’s ok, just no poking!” I say, playfully widening my eyes.
Her big smile returns. “Ok!” she giggles. She looks so much like her Mom, long blonde ringlets, bright blue eyes, but she’s got her Dad’s smile. Then, she’s up off my lap and pulling on Debs hand. “Mommy, Mommy, let me show Aunty Coral,” she says excitedly.
“Ok darling.” Debs bends down and takes something out of the big bag she’s carrying.
“Look, look,” Lily says running over to me. I see she has already half painted one of the Russian dolls from the set.
“Wow Lily, you did this already?” I ask quite astonished.
“It’s her favourite present.” Debs says winking at me.
“It is?” I say in surprise.
“I love it,” she says jumping up and down with the energy that only a five year old can have. “Can I kiss your cheek?” she asks with big innocent wide eyes.
“Carefully Lily!” Deb warns.
“It’s ok,” I say and lean my che
ek toward her, she kisses it lightly.
“Love you Aunty Coral, thank you for my present.” Tears prick the back of my eyes. Damn it!
“You are very welcome.” I sniff and softly stroke her cheek. Stop crying!
“Don’t cry,” she says, her little hand gently stroking my cheek again.
“I’m just so happy you liked your present, they’re happy tears,” I tell her. She looks a little confused at that one.
“Lily, let Mommy talk to Aunty Coral for a moment ok. Here, play with your tablet for a while.”
Lily shakes her head.“I want to look at the boats,” she says jumping up and down again.
“No darling’ – “I’ll take her,” Tristan offers.
Debs and I look up at one another, I nod to her.
“Ok, go with Tristan. But you hold his hand and you don’t let go young lady!”
“Ok Mommy.” She calmly walks over to Tristan and puts her tiny hand in his. Tristan smiles, then shrugs, and they both walk out the studio together. Debs crosses her arms and watches them walking away. Then she turns and looks at me, her one eyebrow cocked up.
“He’s good with her.” She says coming and sitting next to me.
“Lily’s sweet, everyone likes her.” I admit.
“Well you haven’t done badly there girl.” She says nodding her head towards the window.
“It isn’t like that.” I say standing up and walking over to the kitchenette. “Tea?” I ask artlessly.
“I know what you’re doing.” Debs says coming and standing beside me.
“Really, what am I doing Debs?” I argue.
“Avoiding the fact, as usual,” she says flicking her blonde hair back.
“Debs, seriously my head is banging, I feel like I’ve had a nose job. Can't you just...” I sigh heavily and begin making the tea.
“Alright, don’t get your knickers in a twist.” She huffs.
“My knickers are not twisted.” I bark back.
“Well I would,” she sniggers. “He’s got a wicked, sexy body, a really cute arse, and he’s pretty dreamy in the looks department too.” She swoons.
“Debs! You’re married.” I gasp in horror.
“I am well aware of that, doesn’t mean I can't fantasise.” She says dreamily. Ew!
“You fantasise about other men?” I am shocked.
“Hey, there’s no harm in looking!”
“But...you’re happy with Scott though, right?”
“Of course I am. I still think he’s the sexiest man ever, it’s just…well, I would be going for it if I were in your shoes,” she says teasingly.
I roll my eyes at her. “Right, duly noted,” I say handing her a cuppa.
We make our way back over to the sofa, I carefully sit down.
“God Coral does it really hurt that much?” She says all big sisterly, reaching across and rubbing my back.
“Yeah, I was thinking about that earlier. I think it’s so bad because as Lily bounced up I was coming down, made more of an impact I think.”
“You could be right,” she says cupping my hair behind my ear. “You’re going to the hospital today though?” She asks softly.
“No, I hate hospitals...you know that!” She goes to argue with me. “I am not spending all day in A&E just to be told to go home and take pain killers...besides, Tristan’s taking me to see his doc tomorrow.”
“Is he now?” Debs grins widely.I roll my eyes at her again and take a sip of my tea.“So is there anything there?” I look at her wide-eyed expression.
“Maybe…” I finally admit. “But it’s difficult. He’s my new boss...so that doesn’t make it...” I stop right there. I don’t want her nagging me about it every five seconds.
“Ok, I get the hint. Just trying to find out the juicy gossip,” she giggles and takes a sip of her tea. Just as I’m taking another sip of my tea, I get a flashback of us arguing.
“I’m still mad at you.” I tell her.
“About what?” she asks, sighing heavily.
“You knew about Malcolm.” I bite.
“For god’s sake Coral,” Debs says looking flustered.
“Is there anything else I don’t know about?” Debs looks away from me, so I immediately know she’s hiding something. “Is there?” I probe.
“No!” She barks, turning to glare at me.
“Hope not.” I threaten.
“Look, I’m really happy for Mom, why can't you be?”
“Who said I’m not happy for her?”
“You’re not acting like it.” She snaps.
“You know, sometimes I don’t think you know me at all. I think it’s awesome, I didn’t know Gladys was feeling lonely, I’m really happy for her. But that doesn’t mean I’m not pissed with you both for not telling me.” Debs looks away again.
“Well we thought’ – “We?” I interrupt. “So you all had a nice little chat and decided best not to tell Coral, hardly seems fair, and doesn’t really make me feel like I’m part of a family.” I hiss, feeling more hurt as I go on.
“Oh for god’s sake!” Debs gets up and slams her cup into the sink. Then she turns and glares at me. “Maybe if you integrated yourself more with your family’– she says making little speech marks to the word family – ‘ever since you got this place you’ve just faded away, you never see me anymore, which means you don’t see Lily either and I know you only go to Mom’s once a month now, what did you expect?”
I sigh heavily, everything she is saying is true.
“I know that, I just’ – “Just what?” she barks, interrupting me.
I look up at her big blue eyes.“There’s so much you don’t know about me Debs. It’s taken me a long time to get over Justin, to...get some normality back, and then before I got this place I...” I break off. I don’t actually want to spill too much to her, she walks over and crouches in front of me.
“What don’t I know?” she softly asks.
I shake my head at her. “I’m sorry I stopped coming to see you so much.” I offer.
“And I’m sorry I stopped calling and nagging you to come over,” she says.
We finally smile at one another.“Can’t blame you,” I tell her. “I wasn’t really very good company,” I admit.
“So, you’re my sister. Always there for each other in hard times, right?” I nod my head and attempt a smile.
Truth is, Debs hasn’t always been there for me when I’ve needed her. But I’ve always understood, it’s not easy to go running off into the night when you have a husband and a child at home, they become your priority.I mean we love each other as sisters do or should, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we get along that well, we have nothing in common, and I’ve always thought she was pissed that I came along. Gladys gave so much of her attention to me, that I think it caused Debs to reject me in some way. And with such an age difference, we rarely spent time together as kids. Debs was always with her friends, while I was always with Gladys.
“Listen Coral there’s something...” Debs stares off into the distance, she looks odd?
“What?” I say trying to bring her back.
“Nothing…” She says smiling up at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
I frown back at her. “Are you ok?” I ask instantly feeling worried.
“Of course,” she answers beaming even wider, but she’s not fooling me. I decide when I next go to see Gladys I’ll ask her if she knows why Debs is acting strange. And why the hell she lied to me about Debs knowing about Malcolm.
“Well, we’d better get going.” I put my cup down and we hug.
“Thanks for stopping by.” I say.
“What’s a big sis for!” She hugs me a little harder, then whispers. “Shag his brains out.”Ugh!
I pull away from her and frown, Debs is still tittering as she picks up her bags.I walk out onto the sundeck with her. It’s not as hot today as it has been, there’s quite a cool wind blowing and the sun is intermittent. I really feel like going for a walk, stretch my legs
.
I wonder if Tristan would like to come with me?
We spot Tristan and Lily in the distance, he has Lily up on the railing holding her carefully as he’s pointing things out to her, she’s laughing and giggling with him. Lily spots us and waves enthusiastically, we both wave back. Tristan helps her down, takes hold of her hand, and they start walking back over to us.
“I’ve never asked you this Coral, but do you want kids?” Debs asks watching Lily. It takes me by complete surprise; we’ve never had this conversation.
“No,” I admit. “I don’t think that’s for me.” I tell her.
“You’d make a great Mom,” she says warmly. I frown wondering how on earth she has come to that conclusion.
“I doubt it, it’s different when you don’t have them all day...I don’t think I’d really have the patience.” I admit.
“You would,” she says nodding her head at me. “They change you so you become patient, it’s weird how it works.” I stare back at her wondering how Debbie became so wise and worldly.
Lily runs to Debs who picks her up, embracing her and kissing her cheeks. I can't believe she’s five already – I'm reminded for a moment what happened to me when I was five – I wince at the feeling, and try to focus on what’s happening.
“Thanks Tristan,” Debs says warmly.
“My pleasure,” he croons.
“Say goodbye then Lily.” She puts Lily down and I bend down and hug her.
“Bye Lily, be good for Mommy.” I tell her.
“I will.” She says sweetly and kisses my cheek, then surprising us all she turns to Tristan with her arms open wide, waiting for a hug. Tristan crouches down and they hug, awkwardly on Tristan’s part.“Thank you for showing me the boats.” She sweetly says.
Tristan’s cheeks flush. “You’re welcome,” he chuckles.
Lily turns her face and kisses his cheek, then she makes a funny face and rubs her lips.“You’re prickly, like Daddy,” she says.
Tristan rubs his hand across his face. “Yeah, I guess I am,” he chuckles as he stands up.
“Come on then darling.” Deb says holding her hand out. “See you Tristan,” she smiles, then turns and winks at me, Lily takes her hand, and I silently watch them walk down the concourse together.
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 31