It took another three weeks before the doctor cleared Cal to go back to work. It was three weeks of whinging and moaning and generally feeling sorry for himself. If I didn't love him as much as I did, it might have been enough to drive me away. Luckily for him, I did love him more than anything, and for that reason, I was entitled to tell him the truth, which I did on more than one occasion.
I chuckle as I recall his expression when I called him a whining baby and that he needed to grow up and stop complaining. I hadn't planned on saying that to him, but after a tough day at work, I'd literally just walked through the door and he started moaning, so I just let rip.
From then on, he chose his words more carefully and I didn’t have to say anything more to him. I’d glare at him occasionally when I heard him grumbling to himself about stupid doctors not knowing what they were doing, but other than that, things went back to normal pretty quickly.
Once Cal went back to work, we slowly slipped back into our normal routine and it was business as usual, at least for a few months anyway. Then fate dealt us another blow, only this time, it threatened to tear us apart.
Chapter 34
February 2014
Just four months to go.
Four months before I become Mrs Crissie Roberts. It’s come around so fast and feels like only yesterday that we were setting a date and deciding on locations and a guest list.
I had my final fitting for my dress at the weekend, and my bridesmaids finally agreed on a dress that, luckily, the bridal boutique could get in stock in both of their sizes. They’ve been driving me crazy over the last few months with their inability to agree on any dress I suggested to them. In the end, I gave them a deadline and told just told them to find a dress or they wouldn’t be alive to attend the wedding.
With the threat of violence coming their way, they’d chosen a weekend they were both free and spent the whole day visiting numerous dress shops before finally agreeing on their dress for my special day. Luckily for them, I loved their choice.
The last thing Cal and I had to do was find a caterer, which we found surprisingly easily. We eventually chose the basic food package, and various members of the family agreed to bring a platter of food to try and keep costs down as much as possible.
We were pretty much all set now. I’d gone down my check list several times to make sure I’d not forgotten anything, and so far, everything had a firm tick by the side. I’d even asked my mum to go through it too, just to make sure everything was in order.
Today was a Saturday, and Cal had needed to go into to work to complete a rush job that the client needed done by the end of the day. That had put the kibosh on our plans for the day, so I was stuck in the flat with nothing to do but watch crappy daytime TV or play games on my phone.
That’s what I’ve been doing for the last hour and it’s already getting old. I snatch up my phone from beside me and scroll through the phonebook. When I find the number I want, I send a quick text, not surprised when a response comes through within a few seconds, saying just two words.
Hell yes.
An hour later, Pippa and I are in our favourite bar. We’ve ordered a platter of food to nibble on and Pippa is currently stood at the bar waiting for our second pitcher of the Pornstar Martini cocktail. Our favourite.
It’s just after one p.m., so we don’t feel bad about drinking. There are plenty of people who’ve been here longer than we have, some of whom are staggering all over the place when they try and walk. We’re probably the most sober of anyone in here, but we’ve agreed that is something we plan on rectifying pretty soon.
We have both sent a text to our other halves to let them know where we are, and both said they would try and join us later if they got off work early enough. I know Cal will join us, regardless of the time. It’s been a while since we’ve enjoyed a night out with friends, and he gets on well with Pippa and Lance. So much so that he’s asked Lance to be one of his ushers on our wedding day.
I thank the server as he brings over our food platter; my mouth beginning to water as I look at the mixture of spicy chicken wings, breaded mushrooms, satay chicken, cheese topped garlic bread and fish goujons with a selection of dips. I’m deciding what to eat first when Pippa returns and begins to pour us two glasses of the bright orange drink.
I see her eyes light up when she spies the food on our table, and she doesn’t wait as she reaches out and grabs one of the chicken wings before sitting in the booth and biting down on the wing.
“Thank god. I’m famished,” Pippa says through a mouthful of chicken.
I laugh at her as I pick up one of the fish goujons and dip it in the barbeque dip before taking a bite. The food they serve here is partly why I love this place so much. The selection they offer is wide and varied, and it always comes out quickly and tastes delicious.
Their cocktail menu is one of the best in Chester, too, although we’ve yet to order anything other than the Pornstar Martini. Why break the habit of a lifetime?
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you and Lizzie have finally agreed on a dress, Pip. You two were starting to get on my last nerve.”
“Yeah, I kind of gathered that when you threatened us with bodily harm. Lizzie and I decided that, when we went out, we wouldn’t come home until we found a dress. Just the thought of you going postal on us was enough to scare us into finding one.” Pippa finishes off the chicken wing and wipes her fingers on a napkin as I smile at her words.
“Yeah, I guess I did lose it a little bit. It’s just, there’s only four months left, and you guys were dragging your heels and refusing to agree on anything I suggested. I thought a little kick up the backside was needed. Glad it worked.”
“Oh, it did. You’re scary when you’re pissed, Cris.” We both laugh again as we drink our cocktails and eat the food in front of us. In less than thirty minutes, the platter is clear, and I decide I could easily eat everything again. The food doesn’t seem to have made a dent in my appetite, but I decide I should wait until Cal and Lance arrive before considering more food.
I know the guys will be hungry if they’ve been at work all day, and, while I can’t speak for Lance, I know Cal won’t have eaten today, so he will be ravenous by the time he gets here.
It’s almost six by the time Lance and Cal walk through the doors. Pippa and I are on our fifth cocktail pitcher, and everything Pippa says seems to make me laugh. Yeah, I’m well on the way to being as drunk as a skunk, and judging by the look on Cal’s face, he knows it.
“Someone looks like she’s had a few to drink,” Cal says as he leans down to kiss me, his arm sliding around my shoulder as he nudges me over, so he can sit next to me in the booth.
“Who me? I’ll have you know that this,” I say, indicting the pitcher, “is just orange juice. Isn’t that right, Pip?” When Pippa doesn’t respond, I turn to see her practically climbing Lance in an effort to get as close as possible. Her lips are fused to his, and she’s almost straddling his lap. Pippa’s one leg is thrown over Lance’s, and her hands are tugging at his shirt.
I’ve never seen my friend like this before; so uninhibited. She’s usually quite restrained, not liking public displays of affection. This is a completely different Pippa to the one I’m used to seeing.
I know I shouldn’t be staring at them, but I can’t look away as Pippa shifts and climbs over Lance, so her knees are bracketing his hips. His hands are gripping her waist tightly, and he is just as into this as she is. Another few minutes and they’ll be going at it right here in the middle of the bar. I jump when I feel Cal’s breath on my neck as he leans in closer.
“You’re turned on, aren’t you? Watching your friend practically fucking her boyfriend in full view of everyone who wants to look.”
I feel my pulse quicken as I hear his words and continue to watch my friend and her boyfriend making out in front of us. Cal’s fingers are threading through my hair as his breath fans across my cheek. I can’t tear my eyes away, until Cal takes my hand and b
rings it over to rest on his crotch.
My head spins in his direction when I realise how hard he is behind his jeans. He is just as turned on as I am by our friends’ erotic display. I feel a flood of desire run through me, pooling between my thighs.
I know it’s a combination of the alcohol in my system and Pippa’s actions, but I find that I’ve never wanted Cal so much, and I don’t care where. I just need him to fuck me. Now. Leaning in, I flex my fingers, feeling Cal twitch against my palm as I whisper in his ear, “Bathroom. Now.”
I see Cal’s eyes darken as I continue to stroke him through his jeans, and before I can say anything else, he’s taken my hand, pulled up from the booth, and we’re headed down the hallway towards the restrooms.
We go straight past the ladies’ room and head towards the gents. We stop briefly as he opens the door and peers inside, dragging me in behind him a few seconds later. Cal opens the door to the nearest stall and pulls me in, locking the door as he pushes me against it and crushes his mouth against mine. At the same time, his hands are tugging my skirt up around my hips.
We’re a mass of lips and hands as I fumble with his belt, needing to feel him in my hand. The growl that passes his lips when I free him from his boxers is so animalistic my whole body trembles. I know this is going to be hard and fast as he puts both hands under my thighs and lifts me up, pressing me against the door as he tugs my knickers to one side.
In one quick thrust, he’s inside me, his mouth covering mine, smothering my scream. He doesn’t give me chance to adjust to his intrusion as my hands grip his hair tightly and he continues to pound into me. All I can hear is the sound of our rapid breathing and the slap of his skin against mine.
Within seconds, I feel the familiar tightening inside my belly, and I know it’ll wash over me any moment. Breaking the kiss, I tug Cal’s head back and rest my forehead against his, needing to see him as I fall over the precipice, his name on my lips as my vision blurs and my body shakes in his arms.
It’s a few minutes before I feel Cal slip out of me as he lowers me back to the floor, holding me in place until I’m sure my legs will hold my weight. I watch him tuck himself back inside his jeans, zip his fly and fasten his belt, before he cups the back of my head with his hand and brings my lips to his in a gentle kiss.
“You never cease to amaze me, Miss Walker. That. Was. Amazing.” He punctuates each word with a kiss as I smile up at him. He’ll hear no argument from me.
I grab some tissue to clean myself, ignoring the all too familiar red splotches on the tissue as I toss it away. Cal unlocks the door and sticks his head out, before opening the door fully. He grabs my hand and leads me from the bathroom, heading back towards our booth.
We’re not surprised to find it empty, with a note written on a napkin. It’s from Pippa. It’s brief and to the point:
Holy Fuck. The bill is sorted. Have fun x
I hand the napkin to Cal to show him, and, when he looks up at me, we both burst out laughing as I grab my bag and we leave the bar.
Chapter 35
Crissie
Two days later, I’m woken up by a sharp pain in my stomach. I draw my knees up to my chest and take a few deep breaths to try and ease the pain. After a few minutes, it subsides, and I stretch my legs out.
My breathing is back to normal after a few moments, and I close my eyes. I know I should go to the doctor about these pains. They’ve been happening for the last few weeks, always after Cal and I have had sex. I’ve also noticed blood, like I did Saturday night at the bar.
At first, I thought it was just because our love life had become pretty energetic recently, but when the same thing happened after our gentler times, I disregarded that. Sex has also been painful a time or two which, again, I put down to us being unable to keep our hands off each other.
When another pain hits, I bite my lip to stop from crying out as I squeeze my eyes shut, exhaling when the pain goes away as quickly as it hit. I know I can’t keep ignoring this. It’s probably something really simple that the doctor will be able to give me something for. I’ve nothing to worry about. I know I haven’t. So why am I terrified about making that call?
Climbing out the bed, I hear the TV in the living room. Knowing Cal is probably playing on one of his game consoles before he heads to the garage, I decide to leave him be and cross the room towards the bathroom. Flipping on the shower, I strip out of the old t-shirt I slept in and climb under the spray. I sigh deeply as the warmth envelops me, lifting my face up towards the spray.
I stand there for several minutes before I grab my shower gel and proceed to wash myself, freezing when I see the blood on my fingers from between my legs. I stare at it for what seems like hours, but it’s only a few seconds before I finish washing myself and turn off the shower.
Making quick work of drying myself, I pull on my bathrobe and go into the bedroom. I pick up my phone and dial the doctor’s surgery before I can talk myself out of it. Surprisingly, the call is answered after three rings.
“North Street Medical Centre, how may I help you?”
“Oh hi, good morning. I know it’s a long shot, but I was wondering if there is any chance I could get in to see the doctor today?”
“I can check for you. May I ask what it’s in relation to?”
“Actually, it’s personal, so I’d rather not say.”
“Okay, one moment, please.”
I never understood why the receptionist always asks that question. I mean, why does she need to know what’s wrong with me? It’s not like she can tell me what’s wrong over the phone.
I don’t know why I’m making this call. The chances of me getting in to see the doctor today are slim to none. I don’t think I’ve ever managed to get an appointment on the same day when I’ve called in the past. Why this time should be different I’ve no idea.
“You’re in luck. We’ve just had a cancellation. Can you get here for 8:45?”
“Oh, that soon? Yes, I can make it.”
“Okay, could I take your name and date of birth, please?”
“Yes, it’s Crissie Walker, fifteenth of August 1989.”
“Thank you, Miss Walker. We’ll see you later.”
The call ends and I glance at the clock, seeing it’s already 8:05 a.m. I know I’ve not got enough time to dry my hair, so I just throw it up in a ponytail as I remember I need to let Amanda know I’m going to be late. Picking up my phone, I send her a quick text to let her know I’ll work through my lunch to make up the time, and she replies confirming that’s fine with her.
I dress quickly and head out into the living room, seeing Cal closing down his game console. He’s dressed in his usual work attire of an old pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. I imagine stripping the material from his body but quickly banish the thoughts, knowing we don’t have enough time for anything that may happen if I let my train of thought continue down that path.
“Hey, baby.” Cal smiles when he looks up and sees me standing in the doorway between the living room and bedroom. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just tired, that’s all. I’ve a long day ahead of me and I didn’t sleep too well last night.” I force a smile as I lift my lips to his when he comes over. I know I probably should tell him about my visit to the doctors, but he’ll only worry when I tell him the reason for the visit. The last thing I want to do is cause him to worry about something that will probably turn out to be nothing.
“Sorry to hear that, baby. How about I cook for us tonight? I should be able to leave work on time, so I can cook my lasagne that you love so much. How does that sound?”
“I’d like that.” I smile at Cal and kiss him again before I grab my bag from off the sofa and head over to the door. For some reason, I turn back to look at him, seeing him watching me. There’s concern etched on his handsome face, and I suddenly feel guilty for not telling him what’s got me so distracted.
“I love you, Cal.”
His expression softens, but the concern is still in his
eyes as he returns my words, before I vanish from the flat.
oOo
The doctor’s surgery is only a five-minute drive away from the flat, so I arrive with plenty of time to spare. It’s almost nine before my name is said over the intercom, and I stand, walking down the hallway towards the room I’ve been directed to. Knocking, I breathe a sigh of relief when I hear a female voice invite me to enter.
I don’t know why, but I hadn’t considered the sex of the doctor when I booked the appointment. I know it will be easier for me to talk to another woman about why I’m here, so at least that will make being here a little easier.
Opening the door, I step inside and sit in the seat offered to me by the doctor. She’s an older lady of about fifty with short brown hair styled in a choppy bob. She’s dressed in black trousers and a pale pink blouse, and when she turns and smiles at me, I feel instantly at ease.
“What can I do for you, Crissie?”
I spend the next few minutes going through what’s been happening over the last few weeks, and she listens intently, asking questions here and there to gather as much information as she can. She turns back to her computer and brings up my personal information. “You’re twenty-four at the moment, is that right?”
“Yes. I’m twenty-five in August.”
“I see you had a miscarriage a few years ago. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you. It was a tough time for my fiancé and me. Do you think what’s happening now could be related to the miscarriage?”
“Considering how long ago it was, it’s doubtful. Crissie, if it’s okay with you I’d like to perform a smear test. We don’t normally do them until a woman turns twenty-five, but seeing as you’re almost there, I doubt a few months will make a difference. Is that okay with you?”
“Um, yeah, I guess so.”
“If you’d like to go behind the curtain and remove your underwear, please. I’ll get everything ready and be with you shortly.” She smiles kindly at me and I stand, walking over to the bed at the opposite side of the room. I jump when I hear the curtain close behind me and do as I’m asked, removing my underwear and then climbing onto the bed.
Takes You Page 16