Intoxicated

by Stacey McCoy

  Jake pulls back far enough so he can look me in the eye and tell me, “It’s okay. I love you too.”

  Jake carries me up onto the stage in his strong, muscular arms, places me down and we begin to dance. Half of the crowd are booing because Jake has chosen me over them, the other half are cheering as they’re happy to see a couple fall hopelessly in love in front of their very eyes.

  Jake lifts and twirls me all over the stage. Once again I’m astounded by his strength and agility. He glides effortlessly as he lifts me and dips me, not in the least bit worried about showing his love and affection for me while on stage.

  The song finishes and again Jake takes me backstage. Once we’re alone in his dressing room, he locks the door and misses the last dance for the night.

  After all we have a lot of making up to do.

  Chapter TWENTY five

  This last year, I’m happy to say, has been one of the happiest of my life. It took about three months before Jake moved in with us and the kids and I couldn’t be happier. He’s been such a great help for me with the kids and also in regards to the farm chores. Johnno often takes him out shooting and also gives Jake a bit of work to do around his own property. Johnno wants to teach Jake how to be a shearer, but Jake prefers driving the big machinery. Although it won’t be long and he won’t have time to help either of us.

  Jake’s boot camp business is gaining momentum. Word is out that a hot, ex-male entertainer will be whipping the ladies into shape soon and he already has several names on his books. The gym will officially open in a fortnight, then it will be all systems go. I’m so proud of Jake. To move from a busy city to country life isn’t easy, but Jake reckons it’s easier than moving from the country to the city. Alex would doubt that. In fact the two of them have had heated debates about that very same topic, often. Alex always wins because her greatest excuse for moving to the city is Liam, the world’s hottest most loveable guy in the whole wide world, according to her, and that is what makes the move easy and completely worthwhile. Jake has learnt to give in and let her win. He tells me in private that country life is best because that’s where Ash, Aiden and our soon to be born bouncing baby and I are.

  There is nothing Jake wouldn’t do for us. He truly has stuck to his promise of making every single day the happiest day he can possibly make it be. And he didn’t lie about his proposal.

  About four months after moving in Jake conducted his very own Ticker Tape parade. He had a helicopter fly over town and neighbouring areas dropping thousands of leaflets. Each had only one word on it. One leaflet said KAT, the next said WILL, the next YOU, the next MARRY, and finally ME. There were photos of people across the district in the newspaper the next day. Each person was seen holding up a leaflet, each with one of the words spelling out the question that I only ever had one answer for. Yes.

  His idea won us national exposure and Jake a big littering fee from the local council. He said it was worth every cent. He even spent the next week helping pick the leaflets up off the streets.

  We decided we didn’t want to wait too long until we were married, in fact today is the big day. Although we were shocked when we found out I was pregnant around the time Jake proposed.

  We hadn’t bothered using protection since Jake’s test results came back clear. I just assumed that it would be a pretty slim chance for a lady of my age to get pregnant, but apparently not slim enough. Not that I’m at all upset by it, in fact I love the feeling of this little miracle growing inside of me. So, pregnant and all, today I will walk down the aisle and marry the man I love.

  Sam and I tried to have more children, but it never happened again for us. To be able to give Jake his very own flesh and blood will be the greatest gift I could ever give him. I’m now eight months pregnant and I’m as fat as a whale. My fluid retention is ridiculous. My back hurts. I haven’t seen my ankles in months and none of my clothes fit. Even my maternity clothes. Jake tells me all he’s able to see is a vision of pure beauty standing before him. I laugh at him of course, but he does manage to lift my spirits.

  I quit work shortly after finding out Mr Lockwood had passed away. My job just wasn’t the same after that. Then once I found out I was pregnant there was no way I was going to have time to work with a baby on my hip. Murray said he’d keep my job for me unless Jake wanted it instead.

  Jake was one of many who spoke at Mr Lockwood’s funeral. Even though they had only met a few times they really hit it off. Jake respected Mr Lockwood and Mr Lockwood respected Jake. There was even a part in the eulogy where Mr Lockwood requested a special thank you to be mentioned, on his behalf, to Jake, for answering a question that had plagued him for years. Of course his family was baffled as to what this meant, so Jake spent most of the afternoon shedding light on Mr Lockwood’s, now answered question, after the service.

  Alex and Liam are insanely happy, which is wonderful. Work seems to be going great guns for Alex and Liam has even had some of his poems published. They are both here today. Alex, Simone and Chrissy are my bridesmaids with Ashley as my flower girl of course. Matt is Jake’s best man along with Liam and Troy. Aiden is our page boy. My girlfriend, Maddie, who was struck down with the flu when Jake and I first met has filled the backyard with her beautiful flowers, grown from her own garden.

  Matt seems to have taken a liking to my sister Josie. Jake has warned Matt that she is not a woman to be messed with, he witnessed her throw out one of his tenants for breaking the terms and conditions of his lease agreement. Jake was very impressed by Josie’s professionalism while being a hard-arse all at the same time. Jake is convinced that a woman like Josie is exactly the kind of woman Matt needs, but he better behave. Best of luck to them, I hope they find a way to make it all work. Beth loves Matt too and he’s great with her. Knowing that makes me feel like Beth will finally get the full-time father figure she deserves.

  I never bothered to have a hen’s party which is strange because I’m always the first to say yes to a party, but being pregnant at 38 takes its toll on a girl.

  Jake on the other hand had a buck’s party, country style. Johnno invited a heap of Jake’s mates up to his place and they all went out shooting. While driving around one of the paddocks which has a fair portion of thick bush on it, Johnno pulled the utes up and told the boys that they would go on foot from here in the hope of finding a fox. All the guys were told to be quiet and stick together. Jake and his city mates took this advice quite literally and walked along as if they were joined at the hip. That’s the way Johnno tells the story anyway. What Jake and the other guys didn’t know was that Johnno and a few of the boys were surrounding them in the bush. Once the group stopped Johnno and about five others let off their shot guns into the air.

  “The noise was horrendous.” said Jake, “We absolutely shit ourselves.”

  “I reckon they did too Kat,” Johnno said as he laughed hysterically when retelling the story to the girls and me.

  Poor Jake was pranked again.

  Jake spends a lot of his spare time trying to think of a way to get Johnno back, but I’m just not sure it can be done.

  Simone and Johnno finally fell pregnant with their first baby. She’s only four months along but she’s starting to feel some movement in her belly now. Johnno dotes over her every chance he gets. They’re going to be the greatest parents ever. I’m so happy for them.

  ***

  Simone has finished with my makeup and hair and Alex is finally dressed. The ceremony will begin shortly in our backyard where Jake built a rotunda especially for us to stand under as we recite our vows. He has plans to hang a swinging chair under it in the near future so we can sit back as a family, of soon to be five, and watch the sun set over perfect skies. As I stand up from my chair in front of the mirror in our ensuite, Ashley enters.

  “Simone, would you mind giving us a minute please,” I ask.

  “Yeah of course Kat. I’ll see you out there okay?”

  “Yeah no worries. We won’t be long.”


  Ashley looks all grown up with a little make up on and her hair in loose long curls just like mine. The girls and I are all wearing different kinds of blue dresses. It’s a perfect summer’s day, not too hot, certainly not cold.

  “Ashley darling, you look so beautiful.”

  “So do you Mummy. Mummy?”

  “Yes sweetie.”

  “Do you miss Daddy?”

  I promised myself I would not cry today, but my daughter’s innocent question has caught me by surprise.

  “Yes I do…every day. But you know where Daddy is don’t you?”

  “Yes. He’s in my heart and in my memory. I was just thinking about him that’s all.”

  Rather awkwardly I drop to one knee and cuddle my daughter. I feel a familiar twinge in my belly. It’s nothing new; I’ve been having a few lately.

  “Oh sweetie it’s okay to think of him. I think of him all the time. You know that just because I love Jake doesn’t mean that I will ever stop loving your dad right.”

  “Yeah I know mum. It’s okay I know you love both of them, it’s just Daddy wanted me to tell you that he’s happy for us.”

  Staring into my daughter’s eyes I see Sam’s eyes staring back at me. I engulf my daughter in my arms once more and whisper, “Thank you Sam,” over her shoulder.

  “I think it’s time to go now don’t you think?”

  “Yep. Let’s get this show on the road Mum.”

  As we head out of my bedroom I see Alex and Simone waiting in the kitchen for their cue to head out the backdoor and down onto the path ahead of us to the rotunda where four very handsome men wait for us. One of which, I will soon marry.

  Alex and Simone see Ashley and I and signal for us to stop where we are. I can hear Chrissy laughing as she makes her way out the backdoor.

  “What is she laughing at?” I ask my two dearest friends as they stand in full view of the backyard.

  Ashley and me are blinded by the hallway wall.

  “Oh you’ll see soon enough Kat,” says Alex

  Alex is next to make her way outside. She too is laughing loudly.

  “Sim. What is going on?” I’m not concerned at all, simply curious.

  Ashley asks the same question and moves forward to get a better view. Simone realising that Ashley too wants to see what is making everyone laugh, quickly grabs her and covers her eyes with her hand.

  “Simone, what are you doing?”

  “Trust me Kat, you’ll understand why I’m doing this in a minute. Ash just work with me okay.”

  Ashley tries to nod. It’s good enough for Simone, so she begins her exit into the yard with Ashley tucked in under her arm. Her eyes covered, but in safe hands.

  Okay this is it. It’s my turn. I take slow steps as memories of my wedding day to Sam race through my mind.

  How amazing is life? I can easily say I’ve been through it all. The good times and the bad, the greatest times and the most horrific times of my life leading me to this very moment. If I could change anything, maybe I would, but in hindsight I’m content with where my life is now. Jake is…my future. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

  Here I go.

  As I round the corner still with my head down, it’s not until I reach the backdoor when I look up and see what everyone is laughing at. My breath catches quickly as I take in the scene.

  Jake, Matt and Liam are wearing nothing but black The Sons of Seduction G-strings.

  I can’t help but burst out laughing along with every family member and friend who is here to celebrate our wedding day.

  I notice Troy is wearing a black tux and he has his hands over Aiden’s eyes. Aiden hears my voice.

  “Hi Mummy.”

  “Hi Aiden. Jake what are you doing?”

  I know I’m not supposed to address my future husband like this as I walk down the aisle, but this is fast turning out to be a far from traditional wedding, so I will do as I please. It’s our day after all.

  “Chrissy told me that this is what you wanted. So here I am.”

  Jake doesn’t seem to care about everyone else’s reactions. He’s simply doing what he thought I would want him to do. Jake notices the look I have on my face and it’s the confirmation he needs to make him realise that he’s been pranked again.

  Chrissy jumps out of line and looks Jake square in the eye, which is hard to do when such a physically perfect man stands before you in nothing but a G-string.

  “Ha! It may have taken me over a year to do it, but I got you back for the boob job you drew on my face Jake.”

  Johnno jumps up from his seat in the front row and high five’s Chrissy for a fabulous prank that has been well carried out.

  I continue to waddle down the aisle. I feel another slight pang. I ignore it. I ask Troy where his G-string is.

  “Kat darling, there is no way in hell I was ever going to be caught wearing one of those things.”

  Troy leans out of line and directs his question to Jake who is watching me. “I mean seriously mate isn’t that a bit…uncomfortable?”

  Matt looks back and answers Troy’s question, “Actually I kind of like it.”

  Josie gives a loud wolf whistle as Matt jiggles his junk in appreciation.

  “Oh, I did not need to see that,” I mutter as I make my way toward my fiancé, soon to be husband. Taking his hands in mine I feel nothing but appreciation for the man that he is. The fairly naked man whom I am about to marry.

  Ashley and Aiden both then ask if they can please see what is going on. I give the nod that it’s okay. Aiden bursts out laughing when he sees the boys and their bare butts. We all laugh again as it is bloody funny watching the kids take in the sight for the first time.

  “Eww yuck. Why are you guys wearing that?” Ashley shouts.

  Poor Ash, she looks disgusted. Simone whispers something into her ear. Whatever she said works as Ashley looks away and remains quiet.

  The celebrant begins. “Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today in the backyard of Jake and Katherine to witness the marriage of this one beautifully rounded, lovely woman to this fairly naked, buff man.”

  With that the laughing starts again.

  He continues, “This is a wedding I’m sure none of us will ever forget. Anyway I won’t bore you all so let’s just get on with it. Then maybe you can go and put some clothes on young man.”

  “Yes sir,” says Jake as he tries not to laugh.

  “Now Jake I want you to repeat after me.”

  “If it’s all the same with you sir, would you mind if I said what I wanted to say instead,” Jake requests.

  I squeeze Jake’s hands hard in appreciation that he thought of his own vows. He looks at me with moist eyes.

  “Well I suppose you can do whatever it is you want lad. It’s your day after all.”

  Jake stares into my eyes as he begins to speak.

  “Kat, I mean Katherine. I can’t begin to tell you how loved you make me feel. From the moment I first saw you, I knew I loved you, and to now have you love me as much as I love you truly is the greatest thing ever. When fate brought you back into my life…I…there are no words to describe how happy I felt at that moment. I knew then that I would never, ever let you go again. Every day I think of how hard it was for you, Ash and Aiden to lose Sam and I want you to know that if I could change your past I would. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy and if that meant a life for you with Sam, then so be it. My heartache wouldn’t have been anywhere near as bad as yours. Verno told me about how she thinks Sam helped us meet again and I gotta tell ya babe, I will be forever in his debt if that’s the case. So I stand here now, in my G-String, and I promise you, Sam, Ash and Aiden and our unborn child that I will love you, protect you, worship and adore you every day for the rest of our lives.”

  My internal promise not to cry has been well and truly busted. I can’t take my eyes off Jake’s. I hear the faint sounds of sniffing in the crowd and it seems I’m not the only one crying.

  Jake continues, “An
d just when I thought that my life couldn’t get any better, here I am about to marry not only the love of my life, but the mother of my child. This gift you are able to give me is undoubtedly the greatest gift of all. Of course I consider Ashley and Aiden to be my children now too, but to be able to soon hold the flesh and blood that we created, is truly something else. Kat, I love you. I promise I will love you for the rest of my life.”

  “Oh Jake.”

  The celebrant takes his queue, “Do you Katherine Anne McVeigh take Jake Robert Samson to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

  “I do. Oww,” Oh no, not today little one.

  “Kat are you okay?” Jake steps forward. One hand grabs my shoulder, as I hunch forward slightly, his other cradles my belly.

  “Yeah I’m fine. Please can we continue?”

  “Of course. Do you Jake Rob-”

  “Yes I do. Katherine are you sure you’re okay?” Jakes voice is tense.

  “Aarrgghh,” The pain is so sudden. It hits me hard.

  “Someone get her a chair,” Jake yells out as he lifts me up into his arms.

  “No Jake. There’s no time. Lay me down please.”

  “Jesus Kat. You’re freaking me out what’s wrong?”

  Alex steps forward, “She’s about to have your baby dickhead.”

  “Holy shit. Here. NOW?”

  “Well they don’t tend to keep schedules you know.”

  Simone cradles my head as the rest of the guests surround me.

  Jake holds my hand as he kneels beside me.

  “Alex I’m scared. It’s too early,” I say.

  “Don’t worry Kat, you’ll be fine. We’re all here with you.”

  Jake, stressed, looks at me then Alex and says, “Yeah, but you’re just a nurse.”

  “You know I did a half day course on this once.” Alex says as she mocks Jake.