“Okay, I’d like that. I’m not ready for reality yet.” We arrive at the car. “What are your plans tomorrow?” I ask, getting in the car.
“I have a lunchtime meeting at the club, then I need to go into the casino. But I shouldn’t be too long.”
We are in the car and now heading for home. I lean into Alex, he puts his arm around me and I tuck myself in tight to him and stare out the window. It’s sunny outside, but cold, I suppose the good thing is, is it’s not raining or snowing like in was in New York. I miss the warmth of St. Lucia.
New York was freezing in comparison and it snowed, quite heavy as well. It felt strange being at the apartment, although it was good having Ethan, Lucy and Sophie there. It turns out Sophie is going to stay there for a while, well when she’s not in Scotland. She’s already made plans to come back when Ethan does for week, so they should be home in a few days.
They both seem really happy. Alex had words with Sophie about her business, he wants her to ensure its being run properly. He can’t see how it can be when she keeps, leaving to come here to Scotland. She told him everything was in hand, she had someone in to run the shop, and she could still work on her designs when she was here.
Connor and Emma’s wedding day was eventful, but wonderful. There was a few problems, like getting to the venue. It was outside the city and the snow was really bad, but we all got there eventually. Then one of her bridesmaids tore her dress, but Sophie stepped in and did a very good repair.
Then there was James and Alex.
We had two whole days in each other’s company. It wasn’t as bad as I expected, both men were really quite amicable with each other. But if I’m truthful I’m glad we don’t have to be in each other’s company all the time, because I for one couldn’t stand it. James asked me to dance, and I could hardly decline, when he asked me in front of the people I was talking to. Poor Alex nearly had a bad turn, when he saw us on the dance floor. I swear James only did it to see how Alex would react.
I don’t think I will ever be comfortable in James’ company. Even after his apology something doesn't add up in my opinion.
Katherine also reached out to Alex whilst we in New York. I did try to tell him to go and see her, but he refused saying that was a part of his past he didn’t want to re-live. That I can understand, but I’m also a little relieved.
“We’re home,” he whispers distracting me from my thoughts. I hadn’t even noticed we were in our street.
“Yes we are.”
“Are you okay, baby?”
“Tired. I can’t believe I didn’t manage to sleep on the plane, especially an over-night flight.”
“You can sleep the rest of the day. Now come on let’s get inside.”
I yawn as we exit the car. I notice it’s only Alex and I, who actually get out the car. Murphy and Joan drive off. “Where are they going?” I ask.
“To the supermarket. We’ve been gone nearly three weeks, so there’s no food.” Of course there’s not. We enter the main door, and Alex scoops me up into his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“Well, we have already done this once or twice, so you should know.” His smile is one of amusement, as he starts to climb the stairs.
“Alex, its three flights of stairs. You can’t carry me up all those.”
“I can and I will and any how I’ve already done it before,” he tells me bluntly.
We do indeed make it up three flights of stairs, in one piece. I grab the keys from my bag, and open the door. We have been popular, there’s loads of mail, but Alex steps over it. He returns me to my feet in the middle of the hall. I take hold of his face in both hands, and kiss him softly.
“Thank you,” I say.
“For what?”
“For being you. For accepting me into your life. For loving me. For our time away. My list could go on.” I kiss him again.
“You don’t have to ever thank me for anything. I accept you, all of you without hesitation.” His eyes gaze downward to my belly. “And as for loving you, of course I do, you’re very easy to love. As for our time away, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Remember that. I hope we get a chance to get away before the babies come. But if we don’t because of work, then we will look forward to some quality time as a family of four.”
He always manages to take my breath away with his words. I yawn again.
“Right Mrs. Mathews, you are going to bed.” I glare at him. “No. You. Are. Going. To. Sleep,” he tells me with a kiss in between each word. “How about I leave a note for Joan that we will eat at lunchtime and you can fall asleep in my arms.”
“Sounds good to me,” I tell him, because it does.
Alex lifts the mail, and leaves it on the table and we both climb the stairs. I take our passports from my handbag, and hand them to Alex. I’m sure he will have a safe place to keep them, until next time. Taking my phone from my bag, I switch it back on, realising its been off since we left New York. I sit it down, as I strip out of the clothes I’ve spent hours travelling in. I should shower first, but my bed is more appealing. I take a t-shirt from Alex’s drawer and pull it on. God it won’t be long until even Alex’s shirts don’t fit me, with my expanding belly. To think nearly three weeks ago I first noticed my tiny bump, and now it just seems to be getting bigger by the day.
Alex is already in our bed, when I climb in, his arm outstretched for me to curl into. I do of course, after picking up my phone. There are loads of text messages.
Mum; Have a safe journey home you 2 can’t wait to see you. xxx
Ethan; Let me know you arrive home safely.
Kirsty; Catch up soon I hope. I want all the details. xx
Kirsty; Phone me Mrs. Mathews. I love you xx
Michael; I thought I would try you as well. My flight lands Glasgow at 1:50pm tomorrow can someone pick me up.
Kieran; I’ve missed you sweetie hotel is fine. We could meet at 11am for a catch up.x
“Who’s looking for you?” he asks.
I show him the phone. “Everyone, nice to be popular.”
“Are you getting back to anyone?”
“No, I’m too tired. I just want to sleep.”
“Okay sleep. I’ll wake you about lunchtime. I still want you to eat even though you could sleep right through, looking at you.” He kisses the top of my head. My eyes close.
I open my eyes slowly. I already know he’s not beside me as I stretch out in the bed. I don’t like waking on my own; I’m so used to having Alex beside me in bed. As I lie and consider getting up, I think of all the good going on. Alex has the casinos, which are going well, and the nightclub. He didn’t hesitate about buying the nightclub, it was a very quick sale. When we were in New York he worked for a few days. Michael needed a few things taken care of and gave him another proposition for a chain of restaurants that was struggling, but he turned it down.
I have the hotel, which I hope I can build on as well as our reputation. I want it to be the first name that people mention when they think of Loch Lomond. We both have the new house to look forward to. The architect sent over some drawings by email to Alex while we were away, and I couldn’t resist looking at them. The ideas he’s come up with are amazing. Alex has said if everything goes to plan, we should be moved in before the babies arrive. I think he’s being very optimistic about that.
The babies, as I think of them my hand goes straight to my belly. I rub it in circular motions several times, then I feel it. A light fluttering in my belly. I’ve read this is what the first movements feel like. I know it will be a few more weeks before, I feel them kick, but none-the-less I’m excited about this. Another step forward. Well I am just about fifteen weeks now, I’m looking forward to when Alex can share this experience with me.
Speak of the devil, and he surely appears. Alex strolls into the bedroom, all dressed although his hair looks slightly damp, so he’s obviously already had a shower.
“You’re awake I see.”
“Yes and
I felt the first flutters in my belly,” I say excitedly.
“Oh, baby. I can’t wait until I can feel that too.” He lightly rubs at my tummy. “Now, you don’t have time to be in your bed all day. Get that ass out of that bed.”
“Spoil sport, and here was me thinking you could join me back in bed.”
“As much as I love the idea of that, and I do mean I really love that idea. You had better go and shower and change, your parents are on their way over for a visit.”
“What . . .” I ask.
“Your mother just wants to see you and your dad and I have a bit of business to discuss,” he tells me, as he pulls the cover all the way off the bed. “Now up.”
“Okay. Okay. But let it be noted, that I would much rather be in bed with you.” I climb out of the bed and walk toward the bathroom. I can feel his eyes still on me as I close the door. My parents have perfect timing. Not.
When I finally walk downstairs. I feel refreshed. A few hours sleep has done wonders for me. I’ve even spent some time and made an effort with my hair and make-up. Silly I know, considering I’m not going anywhere. I spent ages raking through my wardrobe, trying to find something that fits, the result one dress. I need to go shopping, in the nearest maternity shop, because I do not plan on spending the rest of my pregnancy in leggings and baggy t-shirts.
I hear voices as I near the bottom of the stairs. My parents are already here. I enter the living room and I’m glad I feel so good.
My mum is the first to see me. “Oh sweetheart, your honeymoon has obviously agreed with you. You’re glowing, positively glowing. Phil isn’t she?” She greets me with a hug. “And from no bump at the wedding to this,” she says patting my belly. “Well there’s no hiding it now.”
“Your mother is right, you look great,” dad says. Alex can only smile warmly at me.
“So what brings you both here today?”
“You of course. We just wanted to see how you are. And I want details of The Mountain and New York, although not all of them. Some things a mother doesn’t need to hear,” she says, laughing and guiding me to the couch to sit down beside her.
“Phil, you could help me in the kitchen, leave these two to chat.” Alex speaks direct to my dad. “I’m sure Joan has prepared some food, before she went to sleep.”
Alex and dad leave us alone and I can tell, my dear mother has a hundred questions on her mind. I have a feeling she will leave one to the last, although I know she will be desperate to know the answer to.
“Well are you going to tell me or . . .” I don’t let her finish and I do think I will put her out her misery.
“Okay, so I will start with Ethan, because I can see you are itching to ask.” My mother laughs at me.
“You know me well.”
“Yes I do. From my time with them, in New York I would have to say, things have gotten pretty serious between the two of them. And Sophie dotes on Lucy.”
“Oh. It’s not that I don’t like Sophie, I do. I’m just not ready to lose Ethan and Lucy. I’ve missed Lucy terribly these last two weeks.” She looks upset as she says it.
“Mum. You and Sarah both need to talk.”
“Why?”
“Because she is thinking the exact same thing. She has got it in her head that Sophie is going to follow Alex and move here to be with Ethan,” I tell her, as I think of a conversation Sarah and I had. She thinks she’s already lost two of her children to Scotland. I recall how upset she was as we spoke. She is certain Sophie has fallen so deep for Ethan that it’s only a matter of time.
“Poor Sarah. Is she alright?” Mum asks, sounding very sympathetic.
“Yes, Sarah is good. She’s just trying to get her head round everything. And if I’m honest, I’m sure Sophie will end up here, with Ethan and Lucy. ” I pause before continuing. “Sarah has also said, she doesn’t want to be a part-time gran, only seeing the babies once or twice a year. So, not sure what she’s thinking about, because she knows I won’t travel for the first few months with the babies.”
“Now I feel guilty,” Mum says.
“Why?”
“Because, I will get to see my new grandchildren whenever I want, every day if I want to. Or if you let me, every day.”
“Mum, with two I will need all the help I can get, especially when it comes to me going back to work.”
“You know I will do all I can. Now, tell me about this honeymoon.” And we are lost in conversation. I tell her all about The Mountain and don’t leave any of it out. The stunning scenery, the trips we took all of it including the fact that I would love to go back.
“Sandwiches okay for you both?” Alex asks entering the room with my dad close behind carrying cups.
“Yes, Alex, thank you,” my mum answers him.
We sit chatting about our time away and eating. We speak about Connor and Emma’s wedding; Mum wanted to know if it was as good as ours. Alex assured her it wasn’t, and that seemed to please her. Mum brought a few photos from our wedding that she had printed. I love them all, but I especially love the ones of Ethan and Lucy. The bond between father and daughter is very clear—they are each other’s world. I hope Alex has the same bond with our children.
Our conversation changes to that of our new house. Mum and I discuss going on a shopping trip to look at furnishings, although I think Alex would much prefer to bring in an interior designer. I might be inclined to agree with him on this one.
Alex and Dad talk shop. There are a few functions over the next few weeks that we are both needing to attend. Great, more media coverage. One of the football teams has asked if Alex would be prepared to help promote and work alongside them for a children's charity, which of course Alex said yes.
Dad gives Alex all the details and he seems really excited about it. The football club wants a meeting with Alex as soon as possible. I’m sure they will work well together.
The rest of our afternoon is more of the same, with lots of chatting. We talk about the hotel, and Dad seems to think everything has run smoothly the last few weeks in my absence. I’m sure it has, but now that I’m home I want to go and find out for myself. I have no doubts about Kieran’s ability; he knows my way of running things and he has the experience of Karl in the kitchen. So I am expecting my meeting with Kieran to go well in the morning. I suppose this will have been a good test for Kieran, because I will be taking time off when I have the babies and leaving him in charge.
Before we know it, afternoon has turned into early evening. Joan appears fresh faced, asking what everyone would like to do about dinner. My parents have a table booked and are meeting friends for dinner.
We see them both to the front door and say goodbye. It has been a lovely day with them. Alex takes me in his arms.
“Now, what are we going to do for the rest of the night?” he asks in a low seductive voice.
“Oh, I can think of one or two things.” I lean toward him and kiss his chin. “But I’m hungry, so the one or two things will have to wait until I’ve been fed.” I kiss him on each cheek this time.
“Well you should’ve said something. Will we get Joan to cook?”
“No, I really fancy take-a-way.”
“Anything in particular you want?” he asks.
“Yes, Chinese and you should order for Joan and Murphy as well.”
“That can be arranged.” He leads me into the kitchen where Joan is. “Joan, no cooking tonight, Libby wants Chinese. Is that good for you and Murphy?”
“Yes, that would be lovely,” she tells him.
Alex orders enough food to feed a small army. And I manage to talk Joan into eating with us in the kitchen. I know she still finds it a bit uncomfortable; back in New York they had their own kitchen as well, where she and Murphy would share their meals together. Alex and Murphy discuss appointment times and travelling for tomorrow. It turns out Joan has a hospital appointment tomorrow, and Murphy is going with her, naturally. She had already told us about it, but with everything going on I forgot about it.
I now feel bad about that. I know it’s not serious, just routine. So Murphy is going to take Alex’s car; Alex will take mine and I get to travel in my convertible to the hotel. I’ve not driven it since before Christmas.
After clearing up, Joan and Murphy go to their own sitting room. I decide to take matters into my own hands, so to speak, with my very charming husband.
“Right, you and me,” I say, pushing him against the wall. “We need some us time. So I suggest you join me upstairs, and preferably naked, in our bed.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged.” He teases. “The question is who will be naked first.” I kiss him hard before leading him upstairs. I have a feeling I could be in for a long night.
I TURN AND REACH OUT, but he’s not there. All I hear is the rustling of paper with each movement I take. Opening my eyes, I reach out and take the hand-written note he’s left for me on his pillow.
I grab my phone from the side of the bed and call him. “Good morning, baby,” he says answering straight away.
“What’s good about it?” I say sounding all sulky.
“What’s wrong?”
“Only that I woke in an empty bed.”
“Sorry about that. How are you feeling incidentally?”
“Oh, a little tired and a whole lot sore. No I will re-phase that, I feel over-used.” He lets out a soft chuckle. “I would have to say, it’s not very funny Mr. Mathews, especially given that you are not here to take care of me this morning.”
“You’re right, of course it wasn’t very nice of me. But we will do it all again, and next time I will be there to soothe your tired and aching body.”
“Deal. Is everything okay over there?”
“Yes and no, although nothing for you to worry about. So, what are your plans today?” he asks with a quick change of subject.
“Shower, breakfast then I’m going to head to the nearest maternity shop and pick up a few things. Because I am not wearing leggings going into work and nothing else fits me.”
“Send me a text later when you’re leaving the hotel; hopefully we can leave around the same time and get home together. But we won’t be alone which will be unfortunate; remember I have Michael to pick up at one fifty. Although with a bit of luck, he might want to go and pay Kirsty a visit first. God, I might even suggest he does that.”
He's Captured My Soul (Captured Series Book 3) Page 24