To Love Twice

by McCoubrey, Heather

  “What do you mean?” Meaghan asked.

  “Well, I’ve only seen two plays. Both with Edward. And they’ve been amazing. I’m sure with more ‘training’ I could become quite attached,” Kate explained.

  Meaghan and Izzy exchanged another glance and after a second nodded their head slightly.

  Izzy turned her bright eyes on Kate. “Welcome to our family!”

  Kate smiled. Oh, she was going to get along just fine with his sisters.

  “So, where’s this little girl I’ve heard so much about?” Izzy asked.

  “Mary and Edward are playing at the tire swing,” Meaghan told her.

  Izzy popped up and started walking. “I’m going to surprise him!”

  Kate watched Izzy go and marveled at her energy and enthusiasm for life. “She’s amazing,” Kate breathed.

  “That’s a word for it. Usually I use ‘whirlwind’ when I describe her,” Meaghan laughed.

  They passed the day with lots of talking, enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. Kate and Edward took Mary down to the pond for some fishing while Meaghan took a nap. Izzy helped Rufus put the groceries away and then they both made a wonderful dinner of grilled steaks, baked potatoes and salad.

  No one wanted the day to end, but Izzy needed to get back to school and Edward, Kate and Mary had an hour drive back to his house.

  “Thank you for coming out and spending the day with me,” Meaghan said as they gathered around her bed to say their goodbyes.

  “It was such a pleasure! I promise to call you when I get home,” Kate said.

  “Good, our chats keeps me going. And they give poor Rufus a break!” Meaghan laughed.

  “Can you call more often, please?” Rufus joked.

  Laughing, Kate nodded her head. “I’ll do my best.”

  “Keep those babies safe,” Izzy said. “I’ll call you tomorrow after class.”

  “I will. Drive safe.” Meaghan reached up for a hug.

  “Talk to you soon, Pip,” Edward said. “Rufus, let me know if you need anything,” Edward said as he shook hands.

  Kate ushered Mary out the door, followed by Edward and Izzy.

  “Lovely to have met you both,” Izzy said as she hugged Mary. “Keep practicing your fishing, Mary. Maybe next time you’ll catch us some dinner!”

  Mary laughed. “I’ll get Mom to fill up the bathtub.”

  Kate spluttered. “Uh, no I don’t think so. Ew, no fish in my tub!”

  “Where’s your sense of adventure, Kate?” Edward asked.

  “It stops at shoe shopping,” Kate replied.

  “I like that!” Izzy said. “Okay, well I’m off. Bye everyone!” Izzy waved as she walked over to her car.

  Edward helped Kate and Mary into his car and they drove off, waving at Izzy when she took off like a dart down the driveway.

  “Argh!” Edward said. “She drives like the devil!”

  “She’s fabulous. Both of them are. I really enjoyed today,” Kate said.

  “Me too. I forget sometimes how much I love them and enjoy them,” Edward said.

  “It’s easy to do. Life has a funny way of doing that.”

  “Can we go to the lake tomorrow?” Mary asked from the backseat.

  “You better believe it,” Edward said.

  “Yes!” Mary said as she pumped her fists in the air. “Best vacation ever!”

  Kate and Edward smiled at each other. “Indeed,” Kate whispered.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The next day they spent the morning at the lake, enjoying the water and each other’s company. Charlotte had joined them for a little while, sitting on the beach with Kate while Edward played with Mary in the water.

  Charlotte and Mary had gone to bed early. The exercise and sun making them ready for sleep earlier than usual.

  Kate and Edward were curled up on the couch in the library, sipping wine. The windows were open allowing for an occasional breeze to blow through the room. A small fire was crackling in the fireplace, more for the comfort of it than a need for warmth.

  “Kate, there’s something I need to discuss with you,” Edward said quietly as he stared into the fire.

  Kate turned her head toward him and waited patiently for him to continue.

  “When I told you that I work in the entertainment industry, I wasn’t lying. I wasn’t completely truthful, though. With the way I feel about you, I know I need to give you the whole truth,” he hesitated again.

  Kate gently cupped his cheek with her hand. “It can’t be that bad, Edward. Just tell me.”

  Edward pressed his face deeper into his hand. “I know, but things will change when I tell you this. And I don’t want them to.” He turned his face into her hand and kissed her palm. He took her glass of wine and set it with his on the table. He gently tugged her up his body so that she was now laying half on him with the couch behind her back. Leaning his head back along the armrest, he continued. “I’m an actor. Here in Europe, I’m pretty popular and I’m starting to make some inroads in America.”

  Kate sighed and rubbed her cheek against his chest. “Well, that explains it,” Kate said.

  “Explains what?” Edward asked.

  “Your version of Buckingham Palace here,” Kate said.

  Edward laughed. “Really, that’s all you have to say?”

  “What were you expecting?”

  “I don’t know. Not a joke, that’s for sure,” he paused collecting his thoughts. “I guess I thought you might be upset for keeping it from you, or irritated about the inconvenience it’ll cause when everyone finds out about you.”

  “I’m not upset that you kept it from me. I can understand why you did. I imagine being as famous as you are requires a certain cautiousness when you meet new people.”

  Edward was at a loss for words. “You’re amazing, Kate.”

  Kate shook her head. “What do you mean, specifically, about the inconvenience?”

  Edward sighed. “Well, I’ve been considered quite the eligible bachelor for a few years now. Once the press finds out I’m seeing someone, you’ll have to contend with paparazzi trying to photograph you all the time. Reporters will be calling you. I can keep your name out of the network for a while, but eventually someone will talk and they’ll learn your name. This will also put Mary in front of the camera as well,” Edward said cautiously.

  “Is there anything we can do to minimize the chances?”

  “Well, we can spend time at your apartment. We can hide out here at the house. And we can charter a private plane for trips back and forth. But eventually, we’ll be snapped together again.”

  “What?” Kate interrupted. What do you mean, again?”

  “Remember the flash of light when we were dining at The Mews?”

  “Yes…”

  “It was a photographer. They get paid for pictures of me and they were published here in London,” Edward explained.

  “My face has been splashed on your magazines?”

  “And the newspapers.” Edward reached behind him to the table and retrieved the magazine, The Moon, which had photographs of the two of them kissing at the show of Kiss Me, Kate. Opening it to the right page, he showed her the pictures.

  “This was months ago,” Kate said, shocked.

  “I know. I bought the magazine when it came out. Look at the cover.” Edward quickly flipped the magazine closed so she could see it.

  The color drained from Kate’s face as her brain processed what she saw. It was a grainy close up picture of the two of them kissing in the box of The Old Vic’s theater. The caption under the photograph was undeniably rude. “Edward Kent hide here! Actor caught snogging mystery woman at premiere of show.” Kate hid her face in his chest, embarrassment washing through her.

  “I’m sorry, Kate. I know it’s a lot to process. I’ve lived with this for a long time, and have had a lot of time to come to terms with the intrusion. I’ll do my best to shield you from them, but they are relentless.”

  “I know that
,” Kate sighed. “My main concern is Mary. I don’t want her face or her life splashed across magazines and papers. That’s hard enough to deal with as an adult.”

  Edward rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. “I don’t want to lose you or Mary.”

  Lifting her face to look into his eyes, Kate smiled at him. “Oh Edward, I don’t want that either. This is who you are and this is your life. We’ll make this work somehow.”

  Squeezing her tight, Edward released a breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding. “I’ll get in touch with my publicist and see if there’s anything that can be done to keep Mary out of the focus,” Edward promised.

  “That would make me feel so much better,” Kate said gratefully. Running her fingers over his chest, Kate decided now was as good a time as any to give Edward a head’s up on her own secrets. “While we’re being open with each other, I guess it’s my turn to tell you a story…”

  “Only if you want to, Kate. No pressure,” Edward assured her.

  “You’ve been so patient. But I’m sure you’re wondering and my past will definitely be a headline story when they dig it up,” Kate’s laugh was forced. “I met Brad on the worst day of my life…”

  Kate told Edward of the attack in the parking garage, her stay in the hospital, her and Brad’s wedding and their life together. Then she recounted the awful months leading up to Mary’s birth, their separation and his subsequent death. She told him of her regrets, what if scenarios and what were her wishes up until a couple of months ago. “I’m finally at peace with our life. I know Brad would want me to be happy, Edward. And I’m finally with someone with whom I feel like I can find that happiness,” Kate hesitated unsure if she wanted to tell him her last secret. Taking a steading breath, she decided to just go with it and put it all out on the table. “I’ve fallen head over toes in love with you, Edward. Some days it scares the shit out of me. But most of the time it fills me up with such joy, I feel like I’ll burst from it,” Kate admitted quietly.

  Edward had stilled when she told him of her feelings. Love? They’d only known each other a short time. Was it possible? Chuckling quietly to himself, he nodded his head. He knew it was. His parents had fallen in love with each other after only an hour. He could sense that Kate’s feelings were real, and she believed in them whole-heartedly. Did he feel the same? His head was full of her, and had been since the first night they’d met. He barely went five minutes without thinking of her, wondering what she was doing, how she was feeling, when he’d be able to spend more time with her. He hadn’t looked at another woman since he’d met her, though plenty had thrown themselves at him. The thought of losing her made him feel physical pain. He was scared as well, but the joy that Kate had just spoken of quickly filled him as well. Oh yes, he was definitely in love. With Kate and her precious daughter, Mary.

  “And I love you, Kate,” Edward said earnestly.

  Sighing with happiness, Kate raised her head seeking out Edward’s lips. Only to happy to oblige her, Edward showed her exactly how much he loved her.

  “MOMMY!!!”

  Kate startled awake, momentarily lost and unsure of her surroundings.

  “I’ll get her,” Edward said as he jumped off the couch. He quickly threw on his jeans and ran out of the library.

  Kate fumbled as she pulled on her clothes and then she followed Edward out of the library.

  She found Edward and Mary sitting on the stairs about halfway up. Mary was clinging to Edward, her face wet with tears.

  Kate rushed up the steps. “What’s wrong,” she asked.

  “I don’t know. She won’t say anything,” Edward said, worry making his voice gruff.

  Kate sat down next to Edward and stroked Mary’s hair. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  “M-M-Monster,” Mary stuttered. Fear was evident in her eyes when she glanced at Kate.

  “She’s shaking life a leaf, Kate.” He shifted Mary over to Kate’s waiting arms, and trailed his hand down Mary’s hair. “I’m going to go check out her room. You two stay here,” he said as he climbed up the stairs.

  Kate watched him go as she whispered soothing words into Mary’s ear. They sat together on the steps, Kate rocking Mary back and forth as they waited for Edward to return. It seemed like hours, but was actually only a few minutes, and Kate’s breath rushed out in relief when Edward rounded the corner.

  “All clear,” Edward said.

  Kate stood with Mary. Edward leaned down and picked Mary up. Holding her close, he explained what he didn’t find in her room. “I didn’t find one single monster in your room, Mary. The windows were closed and locked, the door to the hallway was closed. I looked under your bed and only found a couple of dust bunnies. Nothing in the closet except some old clothes and shoes. How about we all go up and give it another search before you go back to bed?”

  Whimpering, Mary shook her head and clung to Edward’s neck.

  “No? Would you rather sleep somewhere else tonight?”

  “With Mommy,” Mary whispered as she nodded her head against Edward’s chest.

  At Kate’s nod, Edward carried Mary the rest of the way up the stairs. When they entered Kate’s room, he gently laid Mary down in the bed. Pulling the covers up over Mary, he bent down and kissed her cheek. “Sleep well, princess,” he whispered.

  Rising, he stared at Kate for a moment. Kissing her cheek, he whispered in her ear. “Wish I was as lucky as Mary tonight.”

  Kate giggled. “If I remember correctly, you were very lucky this evening already,” Kate whispered back. “There’s always tomorrow,” she promised.

  “Until then.” He bent down and gave her a quick, but delicious, kiss on the lips. “Sleep well, my love.”

  “You too,” Kate said as she watched him go.

  Quickly changing into her pajamas, she snuggled in bed with her daughter.

  “Would you like me to sing you to sleep?” Kate asked quietly.

  “Yes please,” Mary said as she burrowed closer to Kate.

  As she sang, Kate’s mind wandered back to the library and the time she had spent with Edward that evening. All their secrets were out and she couldn’t be happier with it. Well, she wouldn’t lie to herself and say she was totally thrilled with Edward’s career. But she loved him, and they’d somehow make it work. She was glad they had a plan of action to deal with the paparazzi for Mary’s sake.

  She was having a hard time believing he was famous. He was so down to earth and nice, not at all what she envisioned a famous actor to be like.

  The best part of the evening though, was when he admitted he loved her. She’s been a little nervous, okay a lot nervous, when he’d hesitated after she’d told him her feelings. She’d been worried that he wouldn’t return her feelings, but when she heard him say the words, with so much of his heart in the words, she knew he meant it. And then when he’d shown her how much he loved her, who could doubt?

  She had no idea where they’d go from here. Her life was in the States, and his was here in London. Kate wasn’t sure if she was prepared to leave everyone she knew and loved to make a new life here. Shaking her head, she scolded herself. She was getting too far ahead of the game. There was no marriage proposal or any talk of moving in together. She needed to get a handle on her imagination. Oh, but a girl could dream…and dream is exactly what Kate did.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Mommy, why are you crying?” Mary asked as she hugged Kate’s leg.

  Kate quickly swiped at her tears and put her arms around Mary. “Oh,” Kate let out a chuckle. “I didn’t notice I was. I guess I’m just sad to be going home.”

  “Don’t you want to go home, Mommy? What about Ah G? And Uncle Tim? And Gram? And Ms. Erin?” Mary asked worriedly.

  “Oh darling, it’s not that I want to stay, it’s just that I’ll miss Edward.” Kate kissed the top of Mary’s head. “Won’t you?”

  Mary nodded. “Will Edward come visit us again?”

  “I’m sure he will. I think Edward w
ill miss us just as much as we’ll miss him!”

  “You’re mother speaks the truth, Mary,” Edward said as he entered the room. “I’ve enjoyed having you both here so much.”

  Both Kate and Mary jumped when they heard Edward’s voice. Kate turned and smiled at him as Mary ran over to give Edward a hug. Edward lifted her into his arms and held her close whispering his plans for a visit very soon.

  Kate gave up on packing and walked over to them. She needed to feel Edward’s arms around her too. She sighed as she felt Edward’s lips on her head. It was going to be hard to leave him.

  Six weeks was a long time to go without seeing the one you love. Never mind that his time had been filled, Edward missed Kate and Mary. His latest film project had been postponed since the lead actress had literally broken a leg on the set. James had succeeded in clearing Edward’s schedule for the six months Edward had requested. So he’d taken his mother on a cruise of the Caribbean sooner than they had planned. Edward hadn’t seen the point in waiting until the dead of winter when they both had the time and energy to go sooner. He had wanted to rent a yacht and hire a captain, but his Mum had insisted on a good old-fashioned cruise. They’d been at sea for fourteen days and initially he’d been worried about constant interruptions from fans asking for pictures and autographs. But he’d been pleasantly surprised when after the second day, he’d been largely left alone. He was further surprised when he had found himself enjoying the food, activities and the relaxation. So surprised, in fact, that he found himself wanting to take Kate and Mary on a cruise in the near future. He’d gotten into a lengthy discussion with the activities director about the pros and cons of a cruise with children, the best kid-friendly cruises and the best times to go with children. She had pointed him toward the Disney cruise line, indicating he’d never regret it.

  The weather had been amazing. Sun everyday and an occasional short rainstorm in the afternoon. Edward had spent quite a bit of time sitting on the deck pretending to read. Mostly he’d been staring out at the sea trying to figure out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. And how he could convince Kate that she belonged in his life.