From Fling to Wedding Ring

by Karin Baine

  ‘Relax. You look beautiful.’ Ben’s voice caressed the back of her neck but the warmth of his understanding of her fears was soon replaced with the chill of reality making her shiver. This moment marked not only everything they’d worked for but also the end of their time together.

  ‘I think the dress has a lot to do with that. Thank you.’ She could feel her voice cracking from the sheer unfairness of it all and hoped he’d put it down to last-minute nerves.

  ‘I can tell them we’ve had to pull out of the competition if you don’t want to do this. I’ll understand.’ Of course he would. That was what he did best. Better than she did and sometimes to his own detriment.

  ‘We’ve come all this way it would be a shame to let people down now.’ As much as she wasn’t looking forward to stepping out there with all eyes on her, she wanted one last memory with him to cling to and keep her company at night in her empty flat. Most of all because she didn’t want to let herself down by giving into fear again when she’d come so far. The greatest shame for her would be that she was taking that next step forward in her life without him.

  ‘No pressure, but Grandad has been looking forward to this all week.’ Ben nodded out towards the crowd, and the dapper Hugh in his suit was easy to pick out in the front row seated next to Amy.

  ‘How has he been?’ Just as Ben had known she’d be fretting about her scars, she knew he’d be worrying about his grandfather the whole time he was on that dance floor.

  ‘It gave him more of a fright than anything. Symptoms went within a matter of hours, thankfully. This time.’ Ben’s tone warned her he wouldn’t forget how she’d reacted in his time of crisis by walking away. Even though that move had come too late to save her from getting emotionally attached to either of them.

  ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me. I panicked.’

  ‘It’s probably for the best. We’re only at the start of this journey with dementia and there’s no point in getting involved if you’re not in it for the long haul. It’s cool. We don’t have to see each other after tonight, except at the hospital.’

  ‘We could have so much more than that, Ben.’ They did have until she’d let fear stand in the way of her potential happiness again.

  ‘I thought we did until you ran out on us.’ That sudden edge was sharp enough to cut Mollie to the bone.

  ‘Please welcome couple number six to the dance floor, Mr Ben Sheridan and his partner Miss Mollie Forrester.’ The compère announced their moment of reckoning and the cheering crowd ushering them out on the floor ensured there was no backing out now.

  Ben took her hand and led her out onto the floor, both plastering on those fake smiles to hide the tumultuous emotions going on behind the scenes. She hadn’t realised up until now just how much performance was involved as well as technical ability. They were going to have to act their shiny shoes off to convince the audience this was an effortless, graceful romance and not the dying act of love.

  The second the music started and she was back in Ben’s arms she knew there was nowhere else she wanted to be. A one-bedroom flat might have the peace and quiet she’d believed she was searching for, but this was where she truly felt at home.

  She’d spotted the proud faces of her family in the audience as they’d made their graceful entrance, heard a wolf whistle she was sure came from her sister’s direction, but was able to block out all distraction when it was only Ben she could truly see. As they launched into their fairy-tale dance of elegance and poise she realised life without him would be very much like waltzing here alone—a vital part was missing to make the dance complete.

  ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. I love you, Ben. Can we try and work this out?’ she whispered into his ear, not caring if this was the time or the place; she needed to finally say what was in her heart before the music stopped and everything came to an end.

  She saw the set of his jaw even before he began his defensive rejection. ‘I thought you didn’t trust me or my temper?’

  He spun her around so quickly she was light-headed, her thoughts unable to keep up with her feet.

  A dip, another fake smile flashed at the judges and a moment for her brain to stop spinning before she was able to confront him again. ‘Surely you can understand why I was so anxious?’

  ‘I’ve already gone through this with Penny. I’m not doing it again.’ He pulled her tighter to his chest as he registered the pain of past betrayal through gritted teeth.

  ‘And I thought we’d established I’m not Penny. I want to be with you whatever it entails.’

  ‘Love me, love my grandfather, right?’ The snort of derision he gave disputed any discernible difference between Mollie and the woman who’d clearly never thought about anyone other than herself. To someone who’d gauged her purpose in life by other people’s happiness, it was a devastating blow capable of making her stumble and, though Ben was strong enough to keep her in hold and on her feet, it would cost them points they could ill afford to lose. Not that a prize in a competition she’d never had in her sights counted as any significant loss next to that of the love of her life casting her aside because of her own folly.

  She needed to convince him she was in this for the long haul and she was willing to be his partner in all walks of life.

  Mollie broke hold and took a step back, bringing Ben to a stop along with her although the band played on over the loud speakers. She curtsied in gratitude for his time and attention as though she were a lady at court taking her leave from the gentleman on her dance card and walked away towards the audience.

  With all the courage she could muster, she left the lonely figure in the spotlight and wound her way through the seats to reach her target. Hopefully that haunting image of him as she abandoned him would soon be replaced with a much happier one once he understood her motive.

  ‘Would you care to have this dance, sir?’ She held out her hand to Hugh, who raised it to his mouth and gently kissed it.

  ‘I’d be delighted.’ He rose from his chair to another round of rapturous applause and escorted her back to the floor. They crossed paths with Ben, who took his last-minute replacement with good grace, clapping as they passed and sitting out the rest of the dance in the now empty seat beside Amy. The next few minutes would likely dictate whether or not he believed she had enough love in her heart for both of them to bypass any future worries. Even without the promise of marriage she would be there—in sickness and in health.

  * * *

  For one heart-stopping moment he believed he’d finally driven her away for ever, his heartbreak public for all to see. These last days without her hadn’t been easy and not only because of the extra care he’d had to take with his grandfather. He missed having her to share his day, his bed, and even those dance rehearsals, which had started off as a chore and ended up the highlight of his day. He’d told himself he had to protect himself from letting her get close enough again because he couldn’t take another hit, but he’d never felt as vulnerable as he had when she’d left him dancing up there on his own.

  That stark reminder of facing the world on his own, letting Mollie walk out of it, would have been enough for him to chase her down and beg for a second chance after all even if she hadn’t veered towards his grandfather. His despair turned to awe watching her invite his grandfather up to dance with her. There was no visible sign of discomfort on her part as she approached him, no embarrassment about interrupting their performance in front of the crowd, only a genuine affection to have him involved and probably to dispel Ben’s stubborn belief that she couldn’t love him enough to stick around.

  His grandfather was the only man he’d happily concede this dance to although it meant he’d have to wait a tad longer to attempt to salvage a future with Mollie. The joy on his face as he was transported back to his younger days tripping the light fantastic was there for everyone to see and it was all
down to Mollie. She’d managed to change some of their darkest days to the brightest and Ben had almost let her go in a vain effort to protect himself from getting hurt.

  She’d asked for a second chance, he wanted to be with her and tonight she’d shown true compassion for his grandfather. The only thing stopping them from being together now was his fragile heart.

  As the dance ended to a rapturous standing ovation, Mollie and his grandfather took a bow and made their way back towards him.

  ‘I hope you didn’t mind too much. I thought Hugh might like one more turn around the dance floor.’ Mollie’s cheeks were flushed with exhilaration, her eyes shining brightly with confidence probably instilled by the audience’s reaction.

  ‘You looked wonderful out there. Both of you.’ He slapped his grandfather on the back but his eyes didn’t leave Mollie, so brimming full of adrenaline and love she was completely irresistible.

  ‘You’re a lucky guy, Ben. Mollie is one in a million.’ There were tears in his grandfather’s eyes as he shook Ben’s hand, kissed Mollie on the cheek, before returning to his seat, clearly appreciative of what she’d done for him out there. As was Ben. There weren’t many who would’ve been willing to do that unless through a sense of duty or pretence, but he knew Mollie well enough to understand the fondness she had for his grandad and the realisation of what this honour would mean to him.

  ‘Ten.’

  ‘Ten.’

  ‘Ten.’

  The judges got to their feet proclaiming their decision on the unusual performance. In the personal significance of the moment that element of the evening’s events seemed to have been forgotten by both him and Mollie.

  Her eyes widened as the crowd roared their approval of the judgement. ‘That means we won!’

  She grabbed Ben and Hugh both by the hands and led them back for the prize-giving ceremony, the odd trio accepting the trophy as a win for as much as family values as entertainment and commitment.

  Mollie picked up the glittery prize from the plinth hurriedly set up in the middle of the floor and handed it directly to Ben’s grandfather, who was standing taller and prouder than he’d seen him in a very long time, his sense of self and the achievement stronger than ever.

  Ben didn’t think twice about kissing Mollie full on the lips in a public display of affection, which took them both by surprise by the initial resistance he felt, soon followed by hungry acceptance. If this didn’t convince her he was serious by making this commitment to their relationship as clear as she had, nothing would. This dysfunctional family was his for keeps if only he could manage to convince Mollie their shine could last longer than that of a plastic trophy after all.

  * * *

  Mollie had little time to contemplate the enormity of what had just happened as they were launched into a frenzy of press shots and congratulatory friends and family after the award ceremony, both she and Ben more absorbed in managing Hugh’s welfare during the ensuing melee than analysing the latest development in their relationship. She was more blown away by that unexpected kiss rather than becoming the hospital’s first dance champion. It wasn’t simply an act of impulse. Ben would never have made such a move without considering the consequences for even a split second and the impact it would have on their working relationship as well as their personal one. Even the tight grip he had on her waist as they posed for celebratory photos announced his possession to the assembled crowd and that was exactly what he’d done. He’d taken ownership of her heart, body and soul even if he hadn’t truly believed it until tonight.

  She waited until the furore had died down and a happy, but exhausted, Hugh had gone home with Amy to add the latest trophy to his cabinet of treasures before she demanded clarification from Ben about the recent developments.

  ‘So, Mr Sheridan, did that kiss happen merely in the heat of the moment or...?’ She helped herself to a glass at the champagne reception laid on for the participants following their win.

  The music had ended; there was no reason for them to keep on dancing unless Ben had decided she was worth putting in the time and commitment. She gulped down some liquid courage for the moment of reckoning, but the bubbles rushing across her tongue and down her throat so quickly made her choke before she could finish the most important question she could ever remember having to ask. The one that should’ve ended with a ‘do you actually love me?’ base from which she could either build on this relationship or raze it to the ground once and for all.

  He took her glass from her, set it back down onto the table, grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the throng of well-wishers who’d barely given them a second to themselves. Even as they tried to make their way over to the side of the room they had to delay their need for privacy in the wake of well-meaning handshakes and hearty congratulations en route.

  Inside she was screaming at people to move so she could end the misery of not knowing if she’d done enough to convince her man she was genuine about wanting to be with him. Outwardly, however, she’d perfected that strained smile and polite facade because up until recently other people’s feelings had always been more important than her own. Except in her haste to reclaim control of her life she’d neglected to realise something more important than a need for space—love—and now it might be too late to get it back.

  To her surprise he kept on walking until the thinning crowd was far behind them, through the doors to the lobby and out onto the patio outside. Under the white arbour and the blush of the climbing pink roses where many a romantic proposal had probably taken place, Ben finally turned to face her. Mollie held her breath until those familiar blue eyes locked and reminded her she had nothing to fear. He had that way of looking at her that made her feel as though they were the only two people on the planet to help her work through her worries.

  He cupped his hand to the back of her head and dipped down to capture her mouth with his in a passionate kiss that reminded her to breathe so she could keep doing this without dying from a lack of oxygen. Every kiss felt like the first, and the best.

  ‘Does this feel as though it’s only happening in the heat of the moment?’

  It took a few seconds for Mollie to register he’d stopped kissing her when her lips were still tingling from his touch. ‘I...er... No... Maybe we should do it again just so I can be sure.’

  She leaned in until his smile touched her lips and he performed an encore every bit as good as the original performance.

  ‘This is for me and you, no one else. Not for Grandad, Amy, Talia or anyone else. Dancing or no dancing, I want to be with you, Mollie. I love you. Everything else, well—’

  ‘We’ll work it out.’ They were a team, and a winning one at that. They’d proved that time and again.

  EPILOGUE

  BEN TOOK A deep breath before he reached for the door. Mollie squeezed his hand. ‘It’ll be fine.’

  She understood the worry about coming here when every time was different. They never knew who exactly they were going to encounter on the other side of that door. Sometimes Hugh was his lovely self, happy to see them both and on occasion even go out for a spot of lunch in the country. On the bad days, though, he could be bad-tempered and unpredictable and confused about what they were doing there. Which made delivering news like this all the more daunting when his reaction might be far from the one they wanted.

  ‘Hey, Grandad.’ Ben walked in first, greeting him with a broad smile and a hug as he did every time even when he didn’t know what response he would solicit from his greeting.

  ‘Ben! Mollie! How lovely to see you.’ Hugh rose from his seat immediately and kissed them both on the cheek.

  Mollie could feel the relief emanating from Ben as his grandad welcomed the visit. Today was a good day.

  ‘How are you keeping, Hugh?’ She gave him a hug, then set about unpacking the treats they had brought him from home, including his favourite chocolate biscuits an
d a blanket Amy had crocheted for him. Although they didn’t see as much of her as they used to they still kept in touch and she was always keen to hear news on Hugh.

  ‘Fine. I can’t complain. There was a lovely lad came yesterday and cut my hair for me. I like to look my best, you know.’ He ran his hand over his freshly cropped hair and Mollie noticed he’d had a shave too and looked more like his old self. It was easier for Ben to see him like this so he didn’t feel as guilty about having to move him into the care home. Not that he had any reason to think he’d done anything but his best for his grandfather. It had simply become too much for them all to handle after the second stroke. He needed twenty-four-hour care and this was the only place they could be certain he was safe. Thankfully it seemed to be working out and the home wasn’t too far from the apartment so they were free to visit any time.

  ‘We have some news, Grandad.’ Ben got straight to the point and Mollie knew he couldn’t contain the excitement. They’d agreed not to tell anyone else until he’d had the chance to break the news to his grandfather first even though he was bursting to shout it from the rooftops.

  ‘Mollie’s pregnant.’ Hugh stole his thunder and left them both open-mouthed.

  ‘How did you know?’

  ‘I’m a doctor, Ben, not an idiot. I can see the glow in both of you a mile away.’

  Mollie burst out laughing. So much for the big secret. It probably was spread a mile wide over their faces when the pregnancy had come as such a happy surprise to both of them even though she’d apparently been pregnant throughout the break-up and the dance competition without even knowing it. Perhaps she could even blame her initial lapse of judgement over their relationship on the hormones.

  They hadn’t reached the stage of discussing a family but now things were settling down for all of them she knew it would all work out. Especially when Talia was nearing her due date, too. They could embark on motherhood together, bringing them all closer together than ever.