by Lisa Edward
The intercom buzzed, interrupting my blissful thoughts. I went over to speak to Phil.
“Tara, you had a visitor downstairs. He wouldn’t tell me his name and ran off when I tried to get details.” Phil advised, not sounding too pleased with the little game my visitor had played.
“What happened, Phil?” I asked, quite confused.
“He pressed the call button for the elevator. I told him he had to sign in, and needed a security pass to go upstairs. He said you were expecting him, but when I asked him to sign in, he took off.”
“What did he look like?” I asked, as my gut told me what I already knew.
“He was dressed quite shabbily, unshaven, tall, with red hair.”
“Patrick,” I said shakily.
“Sorry, Tara, what was that?”
I cleared my throat. “That was Patrick, the man who assaulted me last year. I’ve seen him a couple of times lurking around.”
“Right. I’ll call the police and report it.”
Sitting quietly on the couch, I felt the benefit of our relaxing weekend evaporate as my stomach churned with the thought of Patrick. It had been quite brazen of him to try to enter the elevator, which told me whatever he had in mind was escalating.
I needed to tell Riley. He had a right to know that his brother was up to something, and maybe the military could intervene where the police wouldn’t.
Grabbing a note pad and pen from the bureau, I tried to steady my still shaky hand and collect my thoughts.
Hi Irish,
It was so good to hear from you. Thank you for thinking of me on my birthday. I had a wonderful weekend; Cole took me away from it all so we could relax. It was just what I needed.
Yes, Cole and I are back together. It feels so strange talking to you about it, but you did ask, so I’ll tell you that he didn’t go through with the engagement. When I returned home he was waiting for me. He had finally made a stand against his family, for me. He told me the reason behind it all, and I have to tell you, his life as a child was as horrible as yours.
So I have some news, which is not so good.
Patrick has been hanging around. I’ve seen him once, but I know he’s been close by a few times—I can just feel it. Tonight he came to the apartment building but couldn’t get in, but I don’t mind telling you I’m scared to death. I don’t know why he’s back, but I wish he would just go as far away as possible.
The police seem to have thrown their hands in the air when it comes to Patrick, because at the moment, he’s just being a nuisance. Can the military do anything? Surely he’s MIA, or AWOL, or whatever you call it, so they should be trying to track him down.
Kelli and Noah are doing really well. Kelli is such a great mum, and Noah is an absolute angel. He’s looking more and more like Coop everyday, which I know is hard for Kell sometimes. To look at that little face and see the man you loved must be a blessing and a curse at the same time. But she’s coping well, and we all try to pitch in whenever we can to help.
Marcus and Nicole have moved in together. She’s so good for him, and they love each other so much. It’s such a joy to see it blossom before our eyes. I can hear distant wedding bells ringing for the two of them.
Jason is still unlucky in love, which makes me sad. He’s such a lovely guy with such a huge heart. I hope he finds someone one day.
I hope you find someone someday, too. You have so much to give, Riley. When you achieve the justice you are looking for and can finally put the demons to rest, I hope you can find happiness. No one deserves it more than you.
You mentioned in your letter that I helped you the night we spent together. I have to tell you, you helped me, too. I was feeling so let down, but you showed me that I was worthy too. You have such a gentle, loving side, Riley. I really hope one day you get to show that side to a girl who will appreciate you.
I paused mid-letter, tapping the pen against the notepad. There was one huge piece of news going on in my life, but I was reluctant to tell Riley about Sprout. I knew Kelli and Jay were both staying in touch with him, so he would find out eventually, but my heart told me he should hear it from me first. After everything that had happened between us, could I keep something like this from him? He would be hurt either way. Knowing that I was having a baby would crush him, but to not tell him, and for him to find out from someone else would be worse.
Scrubbing my hand over my face, I tried to word the next part of the letter in my mind. Would he think to count back the weeks to discover that I had been in Afghanistan with him around the time I’d fallen pregnant?
Exhaling slowly, I continued writing my letter.
The other piece of news I have is hard to tell you, but here goes, I’m pregnant. It wasn’t planned, in fact it was a total surprise, but we’re really thrilled about it, and looking forward to meeting little Sprout. Yes, the baby has a nickname: Sprout. I’m due early December, so currently 21 weeks. It’s not all smooth sailing—I have to take it easy because there are possible complications, but we’ll get through it.
So, there you have it. I’m sorry if this news upsets you, but I thought you should hear it from me, and not Kell or Jay. I know it will be a shock to you, but I hope you can be happy for me.
Keep in touch with any news as you can.
Until then, take care
Love always,
Fox xx
Tossing the pen on the table, I sat back and sighed. Now all I had to do was summon up the courage to post the letter.
MY KNIGHT in shining armour came to my rescue once again with an out-of-this-world gorgeous gown for the ball. This year the theme was Christmas in July, so Cole bought me a blood-red gown that wrapped over my belly and highlighted my increasing bump.
Studying my reflection in the mirror with a critical eye, I wondered if something that hid the bump would have been better. But as Cole walked up behind me, looking mouth-wateringly good in his tux, and placed his hands around my waist, bringing them to rest on my belly, I knew why he had chosen this gown. He wanted everyone to know. He wanted to shout it out loud and proud that not only were we together, but we were starting our own family.
“Your mum is going to have a seizure when she sees this,” I told him, patting my bulge.
His face lit up in the mirror. “I know, but hey, if they’re going to disown me, might as well go out with a bang.” He turned me around, still holding my waist. “I think you look beautiful tonight. You’re glowing, radiant.” He kissed my forehead softly. “I’ve never loved you more than I do right at this very moment.”
We pulled up out the front of Cole’s parents’ mansion where the valet greeted us and opened my door. Cole jumped out of his side and quickly came around the car, extending his hand for me so I could climb out of the SUV. As soon as my feet touched the red carpet that was rolled down the front steps, I saw heads turn our way. This was the first time any of these people had seen Cole since the engagement party, and by now they were all coming to the realisation that Cole didn’t get engaged to Prue because of me.
“Just ignore them,” Cole whispered, leaning in close. But I could tell by the tension in his arm that he was just as self-conscious as me as he held my hand and led me up to the entry.
The house looked incredible. Cole’s parents had gone all out with their decorations, and it really did look like we’d stepped into a white Christmas. There were extravagantly-decorated trees that reached to the ceiling, with a massive Santa’s sleigh and accompanying reindeer on display, where people could have their photos taken.
It was mind-blowing how different the entry hall looked to how it had the last time I was there, and I looked around, mouth agape as I tried to take everything in.
“Let’s get our photo taken before we go in,” Cole suggested, leading me over to the sleigh.
We climbed in while the photographer waited for us to arrange ourselves.
“This will be our first family portrait.” Cole beamed, wrapping his arm around me. “Our first photo
with the three of us.”
Laughing, I looked around at him. “You are so goofy sometimes.”
He kissed my temple lovingly. “I can’t wait for Christmas this year, with Sprout. I think I’ll buy him a pony.”
The photographer had been patient, but he shuffled his feet restlessly as we continued talking.
“Shhh, let’s get this over with,” I said to Cole, patting his knee. “And Sprout will be three weeks’ old, so I don’t think he’ll be riding a pony this year.”
Guests were beginning to filter in to the grand ballroom, and we climbed out of the sleigh and blended into the crowd to wait our turn to be greeted by Cole’s parents. I could see Cole’s jaw tensing as he looked around nervously.
“You okay?” I asked, squeezing his hand.
He nodded. “Yeah, sure.” His brow was deeply furrowed, but he tried to smile.
We were getting closer, and Cole’s pace was slowing. He hesitated for a moment and then turned, leading me out of the group of guests and into the library, which was off to the side of the entrance.
“Okay, I just need a minute,” he said, quickly closing the door behind us. With his butt leaning up against the door, he braced himself, hands on knees.
“I don’t know what to say to them,” he confessed. “I haven’t spoken to either of them since the engagement that never happened.” He raised his head to meet my eyes. “What do I say?”
I knew he was stressed about seeing them, but until this moment I’d had no idea just how stressed.
Taking his hands, I tried to ease his nerves. “We don’t have to do this now, with hundreds of people here. We can always go home and arrange a time to see them, when it’s just the four of us.”
Resting my hand on his chest, I felt the thumping of his heart.
“No, I want to do it here. I want everyone to see us together, and know the truth.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I love you, Tara. I have always loved you, and I’m so proud that you’ve chosen me, and that we’re having a baby.” He touched my stomach. “This little guy is a miracle. I’ve never been happier, and I’m tired of trying to be the perfect son, and making myself miserable in the process.”
Reaching up, I cupped his cheeks in my hands, and pressed my lips to his. “I love you too, babe.”
I took a deep, calming breath. He smiled before mimicking my exaggerated breathing. After several more deep breaths, he seemed to have calmed down a little bit.
“You know, over the years, things have prevented us from being together,” he stated.
I frowned. “How so?”
“Spencer, for one. If he hadn’t spread the rumours about you, we would have met and been socialising at these functions for years.”
It was true. I should have been going to these balls with my parents, but I just couldn’t face everyone after Spencer had slandered my name.
“And,” he continued, “I was supposed to go to The School of The Arts.”
“We could have gone to school together. That would have been interesting.” I chuckled.
“Yeah, but I deliberately messed up my audition piece, because I didn’t want to be a classical pianist.”
“That’s understandable. Your parents were pressuring you to be someone you’re not.”
He took my hands. “They’ve been doing it all my life. But this is our time, Tara. You and I are finally where we should have always been, together.”
“So are you ready to face the music?”
He nodded, his smile more relaxed.
“Okay, so let’s go show everyone that we’re a family.”
We finally made our way to the grand ballroom and waited our turn to be greeted by the hosts, Cole’s parents. Cole’s grip on my hand tightened, and I held his arm with my free hand, trying to ease his nerves and show my support.
So, this was it. We stepped forward after the couple in front of us had been greeted, and came face to face with Victor and Godzilla.
Cole shakily extended his hand to Victor, who hesitated for a moment before taking it. He shook hands formally for a second before leaning in and hugging Cole. Cole visibly relaxed as his shoulders dropped, and he stepped in and returned the hug, patting his dad on the back.
It was such a relief, and I smiled broadly as Victor glanced up at me over Cole’s shoulder and gave me that winning Michaels’ grin. As Cole stepped back beside me, Victor’s eyes swept over me, stopping on my stomach where he did a double take.
“Well, well, well,” he said, his eyes still fixed on my tummy, “looks like you have some news, young lady.”
I giggled. “Yes, we do.” Victor hugged me, and I felt for that split second that everything was going to be all right. Until I heard Lucinda’s derisive snort beside me, which spoilt the moment.
Cole stepped around behind me so he was facing his mother. “Hi, Mum,” he said warily, before leaning in for an amiable hug. She wasn’t interested.
“So this is why you embarrassed us in front of all our friends, Victor.” She indicated to me, nose upturned, as always. “You disgraced yourself then, and it appears you’re continuing to do so, coming here and flaunting this relationship. How do you think poor Prue feels, having her nose rubbed in your betrayal?”
My stomach dropped, but it wasn’t because of the way she was referring to me—I really didn’t care about that—it was that I knew how important her approval was to Cole. He had been conditioned to do whatever it took to please his mother, and right now, he must have felt like that little boy who had been banished to the cold dog kennel.
Looking up at his face, I could see every ounce of excitement had left him, and I was furious.
“It’s such a shame you can’t be pleased for us, Lucinda,” I told her, meeting her beady little eyes. “I would have thought you’d be looking forward to having a grandchild to spoil.”
She snorted again. “Who says that’s my grandchild?”
I’m sure she said it to hurt me, by implying that the baby could be anyone’s and not necessarily Cole’s. There was so much hatred radiating from her that I could almost taste it, so I thought, what the hell.
“Well, I guess technically he won’t be your blood, but he will be Victor’s,” I added.
Any colour that was in her rouged cheeks drained away as she realised I knew the family secret.
“I just hope you’ll show our baby more love than you showed Cole, when he was an innocent little boy.”
Unfortunately, I doubted it. There would be no love for our child from this woman.
“What have you done?” She gasped at Cole as her hand went to her chest.
Cole’s hand slipped around my back. “I’ve told Tara everything.” His eyes narrowed. “And I mean everything.”
I looked to Victor for a reaction, but he was happily shaking hands and laughing with the people who had come up behind us. He was totally oblivious to the fact that I now knew the secret that had been guarded so closely for so many years.
As soon as we entered the ballroom, Cole took me onto the dance floor and held me close. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I felt his body relax as he leaned into me.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered into my neck. “I didn’t know what to say to her.”
“Sorry if I said too much, but I watched your face as she talked down to you like you were some naughty little boy for trying to live your life and be happy. She’s ridiculous!”
Cole’s breath puffed on my neck as he chuckled. “Must be your mothering instincts kicking in. You’re like a lioness protecting her young, and her man.”
Lifting my head from Cole’s shoulder, I looked up into his smiling eyes. “You are my man. You protect me, I protect you—that’s what we do.”
The music stopped for a moment, and we both looked towards the band. Jay had seen us, and was watching our exchange with a grin. I waved to him while Cole gave him a chin tip, and he gave us a head-nod back.
“Do you ever talk to him when he’s playing at o
ne of these functions?” I asked. It seemed odd to me that they were such good mates, but that there remained this segregation when they were at these fancy balls.
Cole shrugged. “I say hi, but we don’t hang out. He’s here to work, not socialise.”
I frowned.
“What? He’s being paid really well to play for a few hours.”
“He’s your best mate. Don’t you think it’s strange?”
He shook his head. “We have an understanding.” He shrugged again. “It’s a guy thing, I guess. He doesn’t mind.”
Another thought entered my mind. “Do the people here know that you can sing, or that you play guitar and piano?”
“No, babe. It would be two worlds colliding.”
“Yeah, but what a collision.” I wrapped my arms tighter around his shoulders. “To be the real you, when you’re here with all these pretentious social climbers.”
His eyes narrowed playfully. “What are you scheming, Miss O’Connell?”
“Nothing,” I replied innocently, all the while my mind was ticking over at a million miles an hour.
We danced for another few songs, Cole holding me close and rocking me gently as we made our way around the floor. I loved being in Cole’s arms. It felt like floating on a cloud, the way he guided me, and it reminded me of something Pops had once said. ‘Dancing with the right person can be quite … intimate, quite magical, like there’s no one else on earth but the two of you moving as one to the music.’ It was true; it did feel magical to dance with Cole, and I allowed myself to be swept away as we circled the dance floor.
I felt Cole stop and I opened my eyes. We had come full circle, and stopped near Jay and the band. The two guys shook hands, then stepped back, I stepped forward and hugged Jay, making him chuckle.
“You look lovely, Tara. Doesn’t she, buddy?” he said, grinning at Cole.
“Absolute perfection,” Cole replied, his eyes sparkling with pride. “So, Tara had an idea,” Cole continued. “She wants me to join the band.”
I smiled at Cole. It seemed he was warming to the idea.
“Really?” Jay shrugged. “You’re always welcome, but I’m not giving you a cut of the money,” he joked.