Cole tried and tried to get her to talk to her grandparents but she wouldn’t budge. She made him promise he wouldn’t tell anyone else what Fitzmaurice had told them. Cole wasn’t happy but he promised Ally.
Ally spent the rest of the day lost in her own thoughts laying in Cole’s bed looking out over London. She couldn’t talk or cry anymore. She just lay there on the bed and stared out into the city and let her mind race feeling numb.
Cole was worried sick about her. She refused to eat. She refused to talk. She just shut herself away inside her own head. He wanted to call a doctor but she refused that too.
As darkness fell across the city and Ally had still not moved from her space on the bed Cole decided he was gonna take action.
“Okay, that’s it,” he exclaimed as he walked into the room and switched on the main light to a cry of protest from Ally. “I want you to get up.” He said as he walked around the bed and stood directly in her line of vision.
“Go away,” she replied without making eye contact with him.
“Sorry, wrong answer,” he said as he reached out and scooped her off the bed.
“COLE, PUT ME DOWN!” She cried out, wriggling in his arms but he just held her tighter. He walked to the bathroom door and kicked it open. “Cole you wouldn’t dare.”
“Won’t I?” he laughed as he opened the shower door and stepped inside with Ally still in his arms.
“Cole I mean it,” Ally protested angrily but her words fell on deaf ears. Cole reached for the taps and the blast of cold water hit them both.
“ARE YOU INSANE?” Ally screamed as her breath caught in her throat from the cold water. She fought harder to get out of his embrace but he just held her tighter.
“Stop fighting me, Ally,” he said. “Stop pushing me away. I love you and I am not going to let you do this.”
“Cole please,” Ally begged as she tried to push her grief back inside her. She refused to give in to her tears.
“Talk to me,” he pleaded.
“Cole, please.” She couldn’t hold back the sob that came from deep inside her. She turned and buried her face into his neck and began to sob.
“That’s it, gorgeous girl,” he whispered soothingly against her forehead. Suddenly she could hold back no longer and she sobbed harder. Cole let her slip down to the floor of the shower and wrapped her tightly in his arms.
“I have you,” he breathed into her ear and he held her so tight to him that their bodies had almost become one.
“He has been part of my life for as long as I remember,” Ally began suddenly gasping for breath between sobs. “I used to dream that he was my Dad. I used to watch him with his three girls and I longed to have a father that could love me as much as he loved them. And the whole time he was my Dad. And he didn’t care enough to want me. Just felt guilty enough to pretend to care.”
“Ally, you need to talk to him,” Cole said in a cautious voice.
“Why?” she asked and another sob shook her entire body. “Fitzmaurice maybe a bastard, but at least he was an honest bastard. He walked away. He didn’t pretend that he cared.”
Suddenly she began to sob harder.
“Oh God,” she said struggling hard to breath. “My whole life is just one big lie. And everyone I trusted knew. How can I ever face them again?”
“You have me,” Cole replied. “And what we have isn’t a lie. It was never a lie. I love you. It doesn’t matter who you think you are because I know who you are. You are the girl I wake up with every morning and thank the gods for leading me to you. You are the girl I want to spend every single day for the rest of my life loving. You are my world, my heart. You are my reason to smile and my reason to cry. Ally you are everything to me. No one else matters.”
Ally looked up at Cole and smiled. She knew he was right. Who she was or wasn’t no longer mattered. Who she is now, who he had helped her become is all that mattered.
“Thank you,” she smiled through her tears.
He brought his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly.
“Never doubt how much I love you,” Cole said as he barely pulled his lips from hers. “And never doubt what you mean to me.”
Ally kissed him softly and hugged him tightly. She thought about how she had started the day thinking she would lose him because of what she had to tell him about Ben. But she knew now, nothing she could say to him would make him love her any less. But she didn’t want to be the one to break his heart. She wanted to be the one who put it back together.
Ally decided there and then it was time she and the lovely Steph had a little chat. She was going to put that bitch back in her place.
“Can we get out of this shower now?” Ally said looking up at Cole and smiling.
“If you promise you will talk to me properly,” Cole said with a cheeky grin.
They climbed out of the shower, both cold and dripping wet. They both stripped from their wet clothes and Cole grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Ally before grabbing one for himself.
“This is becoming a habit.” Ally laughed as she wrapped a towel around her wet hair. “Taking me to the shower to sort my sorry ass out.”
“I am very fond of your sorry ass,” Cole laughed. “This time I decided the shock and awe tactic was for the best.” Then without any warning he flicked the towel he was drying his hair with, at Ally’s backside and connected perfectly.
“Ouch!” she exclaimed and laughed then screamed when he flicked her again.
She reached for the towel and grabbed it, trying to stop him flicking her again. Cole grabbed her two wrists and pulled her to him wrapping his arms around her.
“You need to talk to your grandparents.” Cole said and surprised Ally. “I know you are hurt Ally and I understand why. But they love you and not talking to them is hurting you. Please ring home.”
“I don’t know what to say to them,” she admitted honestly.
“Start with hello.” Cole said and kissed her softly.
When they finished dressing, Cole handed Ally her mobile phone and smiled at Ally.
“I will give you some privacy,” he said as he kissed her forehead and walked towards the bedroom door. He stopped at the door and looked back and gave Ally a huge smile. Then left her alone.
Ally picked up the phone and called up her contact list. She scrolled down till she found her grandmothers number. She took a deep breath a pressed call.
“Ally, oh thank God,” Nan’s worried voice came down the phone. “I have been calling you all day, so has Caitlin and Hannah. I thought that something had happened to you. Are you alright, pet?”
“I’m okay,” Ally replied trying but failing miserable to keep the sadness out of her voice.
“Ally, sweet heart,” Nan said and Ally could hear the level of concern shoot up in her grandmothers voice immediately. “What’s happened?”
“We can talk when I get home,” Ally simply replied. She thought it was for the best to wait and do this face to face.
“It’s your father, isn’t it,” Nan said instantly knowing something was not right. “What has happened? What has he done?”
“Nan, I would really rather not talk about it,” Ally said trying to fight back the tears. She really didn’t want to have this conversation over the phone.
“Have you seen him again?” Nan pushed.
“Nan, please, we can talk when I get home,” Ally repeated once again struggling to keep herself together.
“If he has hurt you,” Nan said and sudden rage in her voice very obvious. “He maybe be your father, but he has no right…”
“No he has no right, do he,” Ally snapped, unable to listen to anymore. “But you would know that better than me.”
“Ally, pet, what has happened?” Nan said and her voice was now filled with panic. “What has your father said?”
“That he is not my Dad!” Ally snapped as she could fight the tears no longer. “But then that isn’t exactly news to you, is it?”
“Ally, I have n
o idea what you are talking about,” Nan replied sounding genuinely shocked.
“Nan, please, “Ally said pinching her eyes shut and squeezing the bridge of her nose, trying to easy the sudden head ache she had. “Just stop lying to me. I know everything. I know about Gus. I know Fitzmaurice isn’t my dad. That’s why he walked away. Because he didn’t want someone else brat.”
“Ally, pet.” Nan struggled for words. “I don’t know what that lying waste of space said. But…”
“Nan please, stop lying,” Ally sobbed. Cole suddenly appeared at the door. He had heard her crying and he could stay away no longer. He rushed to the bed and sat next to Ally and wrapped her in his arms. She handed him the phone and shock her head. She couldn’t talk anymore.
“Hello,” Cole said nervously putting the phone to his ear.
“Cole, where is Ally?” Nan asked and Cole could hear the panic in her voice. “Is she okay?”
“She is a little upset,” Cole replied not really sure what else to say. He held Ally closer.
“What did that man say to her?” Nan demanded.
“He told her he wasn’t her father,” Cole began nervously. “He told her he needed to talk to Gus Parsons. That he would be able to answer her questions.”
“Why would Gus know anything?” Nan asked and Cole realised this was news to Ally’s grandmother too. Then suddenly Pops spoke in the back ground.
“That lousy bastard,” Pop exclaimed. “He actually told her.”
“You knew,” Nan said to Pop and Cole could hear the hurt in her voice. “All this time you knew, you both knew and neither of you thought to tell me. To tell that poor girl! Her heart has been broken. She is over there and her world is falling apart.”
Then she turned her attention back to Cole.
“Cole please let me talk to Ally,” Nan begged and Cole felt pity for this old, loving woman.
“Ally, sweetheart.” Cole said. “Nan wants to talk to you.” Ally shook her head.
“I am sorry Mrs Brody,” Cole sighed. “She won’t come to the phone.”
“Well you tell her from me,” Nan said. “Tell her, her Nan will sort this. That I will get all the answers she needs. Tell her I love her. And I am here for her when she needs me.”
“I will,” Cole replied.
“Cole,” Nan said quietly. “Take care of my girl for me.”
“That I will do happily,” he replied with a smile as he pressed his lips against Ally’s head. Cole said his goodbyes and hung up the phone and threw it down on to the bed.
“Ally,” Cole began cautiously. “Your Nan didn’t know. I think Pops did. But Nan had no idea.”
“Why would Pop hide this?” Ally said sitting up and looking at Cole. Her eyes were puffy and red. So was her nose. But she was still breathtaking. Cole wished he could make all her hurt go away.
“I have no idea.” Cole shrugged. “But Nan isn’t happy and I think he has a lot of question to answer.”
Cole pulled Ally back to him and kissed her on the head once again.
“Thank you Cole,” Ally sighed as she rested her head against his chest.
“Thank you for what?” Cole asked not sure why she was thanking him,
“For being you.” she replied. And tomorrow, it was her turn to step up for Cole. She was going to face Steph and tell her she need to come clean or she will tell Cole everything. She needed to do this for him. Steph was about to have her world, crash around her ears. And Ally was going to make sure Cole wasn’t caught up in the fall out.
Chapter 19
Cole woke Ally with a kiss, early the next morning. He had an early business meeting to go to. She assured him that she was okay and that she would call her Nan and talk to her.
He told her he was driving because he had a few meetings to attend and he was leaving Nick herewith her so she could go shopping if she wanted.
The truth was he didn’t want her left alone in case Fitzmaurice might show up again and start more trouble.
Ally kissed Cole goodbye and watched as he walked out of the bedroom.
Once she thought he was gone, she climbed out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom for a shower.
When she was finished in the shower she walked into the wardrobe and took a while to choose the perfect outfit for her confrontation with Steph.
As she did her hair and make up her mind ran over the events of the day before. She thought about what Fitzmaurice had told her. She had so many question and she need them answered.
By the time she had slipped on the dress she had picked out and her knee high black boots she knew exactly how her day was going to work out.
She went in search of Nick and found him in Cole’s office doing some paper work. She tapped lightly in the door before she pushed it open.
“Hey,” Ally said nervously from the doorway. She knew he was not going to be happy with what she was going to ask and might even call Cole and tell him.
“Good Morning Ally,” he replied brightly, as he looked up from his papers. “Would you like me to take you somewhere?”
“Actually yes,” she replied as she stepped into the office and closed the door. She knew Annette was about somewhere and she didn’t want her to overhear them. “But I need you to keep it a secret.”
“From?” he asked looking a little less comfortable. He sat back in his chair and regarded Ally.
“Cole,” she replied, nervously. “Look before you ask why. I love Cole and I would do nothing to hurt him, ever. In fact what I am doing is for him. But he can’t know. Not yet.”
“I don’t understand,” Nick said standing up from behind the desk and walking around to the front, He leaned against the desk with his arms crossed and stared at Ally in confusion.
“I need you to take me to see Steph,” Ally said and held her breath.
“Oh no,” Nick said holding up his two hands and shaking his head vigorously. “In fact I think you going anywhere near that nasty piece of work is a huge mistake.”
“Nick I have to go talk to her,” Ally’s heart was racing now. She knew she needed Nick on board but wasn’t sure if she could trust him. But she knew she had no choice. She had to tell him the truth. “Ben isn’t Cole’s baby.”
“Believe me Ally,” Nick sighed deeply. “I have my doubts too. But Mr Thomas is convinced…”
“No he really isn’t,” Ally said stepping closer to Nick. “The other day, in the hotel, I heard them talking. Her and her sister. They didn’t know I was there. Ben is not Coles. They didn’t even have sex.”
“Are you serious,” Nick asked, a mixture of both relief and shock on his face.
“Nick, I tried to tell Cole,” Ally explained quickly. “But I can’t destroy him. He needs to hear the truth from her.”
“And you are going to go threaten her?” Nick asked and laughed. “Ally, this girl will eat you alive.”
“Nick I work in a job filled with sexist assholes,” Ally half laughed. “I have to stand up for myself on a daily basis. I know you think I am this pathetic girlie mess, but I’m not. This bitch doesn’t scare me.”
“Ally, if Mr Thomas found out…” Nick began to protest.
“But he is not going to find out,” she shot back hopefully. “Is he?”
Nick stared at Ally for a moment. Ally could see he was struggling with his decision. She held her breath and waited for his response.
“You know I think this is a very bad idea,” he sighed sounding defeated. And Ally smiled because she knew she had in on board. “But Mr Thomas said bring you anywhere you want to go. So I guess I have no choice.”
Ally let go of the breath she was holding.
“Thank you,” she said and kissed him on the cheek. Nick blushed a little but gave Ally a warm smile as he reached across the table and grabbed the car keys.
“I just hope you know what the hell you are doing,” He said as he held his hand out for Ally to head out the door of the office. She stepped out the door and waited for him.
&n
bsp; Ally followed Nick to the hallway and then on to the lift.
“There is somewhere else I want to stop by first,” Ally said nervously knowing Nick was not going to like it. She was right.
**********************************
“I really think you should reconsider this Ally,” Nick said as he opened the car door in front of their first destination. He knew Cole was going to freak out if he found out he had brought her here.
“I know what I’m doing,” she reassured him confidently as she undid her seat belt. If only she felt as confident as she sounded.
“At least let me come in with you.” Nick pushed.
“I will be fine,” she smiled at him. “I promise. I will be ten minutes.”
Ally climbed out of the car and straighten down her clothes as she took another deep breath. She smiled at Nick once more, then turned and walked into the reception of the glass building in front of her.
Holding her head high she headed straight up to the reception desk and smiled brightly at the girl behind the desk
“Hello,” the pretty blonde girl said brightly to Ally as she approached the reception desk. “Welcome to Fitzmaurice International. How may I help you today?”
“Hi,” Ally said forcing a huge smile on her face to mask her nervousness and uncertainty. “I’m Alexandra Fitzmaurice, I am here to see my father.”
The girl’s smiled dropped briefly but she quickly pulled it back. But she was clearly flustered and Ally guessed she had obviously read the newspaper article in which her father has said she was unhinged. Good, Ally thought, this bitch won’t mess with me!
“Of course Ms Fitzmaurice,” she said sounding rattled. “If you can just give me a moment.”
She picked up the phone and dialled in a number and then spoke very quietly under her breath. She glanced up at Ally and smiled.
“Mr Fitzmaurice will see you in his office,” the girl said as she hung up the phone. “If you take the lift to the twelfth floor. His assistant will meet you there and show you the way.”
“Thank you,” Ally replied and turned towards the lift. She pressed the call button on the lift and her stomach suddenly heaved. She breathed deeply and slowly until the feeling passed. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her upset again.
How Many Chances Page 15