by J. Dorothy
Sarah reached out and stroked Jo's cheek. “I know how hard this is. I know how strong the bond between sisters can be. I loved your mother so much. We were very close. And I know you think Ella has betrayed you, but I’m certain it’s not too late. The letter showed she doesn't know the whole story and was trying to contact Rowellyn. I believe when she knows the truth, she'll change her mind and we can beat this, this ... curse. She’s been under its influence too.”
Jo closed her eyes, absorbing Sarah's words. She needed to hear a voice of reason to stop all the bad thoughts. She desperately wanted to believe Gabriella could be the sister she always wanted her to be.
Sarah squeezed her tight and then pulled away to look directly in her eyes, “I um ... have something else to tell you.”
Jo frowned. She didn’t know if she could take much more. Her head still pounded with a dull ache from yesterday’s migraine.
Sarah rubbed her arm. “It's about your parents."
Jo swallowed and bit her lip.
Sarah watched her warily. "Do you think you can handle it, or do you need more time?”
“I wondered about something actually.” Jo sighed, reminded of the question she’d voiced to James earlier. “I wondered if Rowellyn had something to do with my … my mother's … death. ”
Sarah leant her head on Jo’s shoulder. “You know talking about your mother is not easy for me. I’ve tried to shield you girls from what happened that day, but I haven’t been honest. I did it to protect you both, but now I want to tell you the truth. I hope you’ll understand and won’t be angry with me.”
Jo squeezed Sarah's hand. “I love you. I know you gave up a lot to look after us after our mother died. Whatever decisions you made, I’m sure they were for the right reasons.”
Jo felt the emotions wash over her as her stomach clenched and her chest ached.
Sarah’s eyes welled up with tears. “Oh Jo, I never gave up anything. I’ve gained so much from having you in my life.” Sarah hugged Jo again and kissed the top of her head and they both held onto each other as the tears streamed down their cheeks.
After a few moments Sarah released her grip, wiped her eyes on her sleeve and laughed softly. “Just as well the boys left. I don’t think they’d know how to deal with two emotional females right now.”
Jo smiled, imagining Spencer running a mile. But James, well he'd more than proven himself, over the past couple of days. Tears or drama didn’t seem to faze him at all.
Sarah inhaled and patted Jo’s hand. “Right. I’ve wanted to tell you about your parents for years, but I always put it off, hoping for a better time. And well, that time is definitely now.”
Jo clasped her hands together, the knuckles whitening, but kept her expression steadfast.
“So … the day your mother died she was on her way to see your father. They had been apart for a while but were planning to live together again. Your father asked your mother to come to his home, so they could confront Rowellyn and tell her they were married and had two little girls. They had kept their relationship a secret for fear Rowellyn would cut your father out of their business. Of course, now we know what we do, I suspect she actually met Theresa some time before and threatened her. Although we can’t be certain of that. What we do know is that your parents never met that day. Instead, Theresa left a note saying she wanted your father to leave her alone, to get on with her life without him. She asked him to stay out of your lives as well. She left the note at his house just before she died."
Jo hung onto every word like a drip was feeding her. She had wanted to know the truth about her parents for so long, and had always held onto the hope that her father wasn't a bad man, like Gabriella thought.
Sarah patted her hand again, and sighed. “Jo, your father was there when the accident happened. It wasn't a speeding car, or a reckless driver, that killed your mother. She saw your father across the street, panicked, and ran into the oncoming traffic. Your father witnessed the whole thing, but he couldn't save her, it was too late …”
Sarah paused and Jo stared across the room, thinking about her father watching her mother die. No wonder he left them, it must have been too painful. His two girls a constant reminder of their mother and how he hadn't been able to save her.
“Now your father never realised Rowellyn was involved and could never understand why your mother changed her mind. He wanted to abide by her last wishes, but he couldn't bring himself to let his girls go completely. He asked me to be your legal guardian and to keep in contact. He wanted a yearly letter and a photo so he could watch you both grow up. He has provided generously for you over the years.”
"What!" Jo gasped and held her throat while her heat pounded in her chest. “You have my father's address and you've been in contact with him?”
“Yes.”
Jo stood and began pacing around the room, her whole body tingling. “Oh Sarah, I can’t believe it. I’ve always wanted to meet him … he knows about us and still loves us?”
Sarah smiled. “He cares about you a great deal. He’s been alone since your mother died and worked long hours to ensure you have everything you need.”
“Does he know about Rowellyn? Is that why you’re telling me?” Jo asked in between biting her nails and making a trench in the floor with her pacing up and down.
“He knows everything and he wanted me to tell you.” Sarah paused before she spoke again. “He asked me today, to arrange it.”
Jo stopped and looked at Sarah. “I thought you met Dan and Barley today?”
“Yes … that’s right,” Sarah agreed, her eyes widening.
Jo frowned, puzzling over what Sarah was trying to tell her. Then the light bulb switched on. “Dan! Are you telling me Dan ... is my … my father?”
Sarah gave a small nod.
Jo collapsed on the sofa and put her head between her knees, breathing slowly and heavily. The words: Dan is my father, running around in her mind while Sarah rubbed her back gently. Then Jo felt Sarah’s hand on her chin as she lifted Jo's head from her knees and rested it on her shoulder.
“He wanted to tell you the moment he met you. It was so hard for him to keep quiet. He was so worried about you after yesterday.”
“I can’t believe … I already met him …” Her voice was breathy and heaving. “He was there with me … and I didn’t know. I really liked him … but I never imagined … what did he think about me?”
Sarah smiled. “Oh Darling, he was so proud of the way you handled yourself. He had never spent time with you the way he had with Ella. He left after you were born and never saw you again. He had the photographs I sent each year, and I kept him updated on your progress at school and your hobbies. He wasn't prepared for his reaction when he saw you for the first time. It was so difficult for him.”
“I can’t imagine … I never suspected anything. I just thought he was incredibly nice and friendly.” Jo blinked back tears.
Sarah pulled her close. “Daniel is all of those things and more. He loved your mother deeply, and he loves you and Ella. He never recovered from your mother's death. Until I contacted him about Ella’s letter he was resigned to live out his days obeying her wishes. Rowellyn has much to answer for. Her vengeance and selfishness has affected so many lives. That’s why it’s so important we stop this now.”
Jo nodded, but her heart was near bursting. “When can I see him?”
“Tomorrow. Barley is moving out soon so we can’t use his house. I suggested he come to the campus. Does that sound alright?”
“Yes. I won’t sleep tonight. Oh and I can't wait to tell James. Another family secret to shock him, but I suppose after what he heard yesterday, I can’t think of a single thing that would shock him now.”
Sarah smiled and brushed the back of her hand across Jo’s cheek. “We've all had enough shocking news to last a lifetime. It’s time we turned that around and concentrated on the good things, and reuniting with your father is definitely a good thing.”
TWENTY-THR
EE
Jo woke with nervous excitement. Her eyes didn’t hurt this morning, but thinking about seeing Daniel today made her stomach churn. Sarah slept soundly beside her. They had shared Spencer’s bed as he’d stayed next door with his friend Chris.
Jo carefully pulled back the duvet and gently touched the ice cold floor. The central heating hadn’t kicked in yet and the street lights shone through the top of the curtains. Putting on one of Spencer’s jumpers, and quickly finding her slippers, she quietly opened the door and tiptoed into the living room. Shivering, she turned on the light attached to the cooker hood and switched the kettle on.
Just as she put a teabag in a cup there was a click behind her and she turned to see James emerge from his room. He rubbed his eyes and squinted at the clock.
Jo smiled. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
He yawned and stretched both arms above his head. “No. I love to beat the roosters at their own game.”
Jo couldn’t stop shivering and pulled the sleeves of her jumper over her hands. James turned to look at her closed bedroom door, then moved closer and put his arms around her. “You look freezing. I think I should warm you up,” he whispered in her ear, before biting her earlobe.
She giggled. “That sounds better than waiting for the heater.”
He checked the door again then turned back, leant in and kissed her. Jo’s whole body exploded at his touch. They held each other close, their kissing growing in intensity. They had kissed many times before, but this was different. Her whole body screaming at her to press even closer. To wrap herself in his arms and never let go.
The kettle whistled and James pulled away, his quick breath still close to her ear. Jo kept her eyes closed, her whole body buzzing from his kiss. Then she felt his lips on her eyelids as he kissed each one. Jo opened her eyes, to see him lean across and turn off the screeching kettle.
“Warmer now,” he asked, biting her earlobe again.
“No. I’m still freezing.” She grinned and snuggled into his chest.
James shook his head. “Spencer has no idea how wicked you are. I can’t believe he called you innocent.”
Jo narrowed her eyes. “I was, until you corrupted me. It's all your fault … Not that I’m complaining.” She stood on her toes and drew him down to kiss him lightly on the lips, hoping to regain the ground she’d made a few seconds ago.
James gently pulled away, holding her back from him. “Jo we need to slow down. I’m not strong enough to resist when you’re so persistent.”
His brow furrowed, as if he was trying to convince himself as well as her. Jo knew he meant it, but the memory of how he made her feel coursed through her body. She had never wanted something so much in her life. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his racing heart beat. “Alright, but I keep thinking of Aspen and how she never experienced any kind of intimacy in her whole life. I don’t want that to happen to me.”
James tilted her head to look directly into her eyes. “Jo, I already told you, I won’t let that happen. Okay?”
Jo moved his hands away and stared down at her feet. “About that ... I’ve wanted to say something since we found out about this, this ... curse …”
She looked up into his beautiful blue eyes again. “I don’t know what will happen if Gabriella doesn't listen to us. I know you mean what you say, but it might not be possible, you know after ...”
James opened his mouth to speak, but Jo put a finger to his lips. “This is not easy to say. I want to believe we’ll stop the curse more than anything, but it might be out of our control.”
She sighed and stroked the back of his neck. His expression was pained but he didn’t interrupt. “I want you to promise you’ll always stay true to your feelings. I won’t judge you if you want to be with someone else. I don’t want you to stay with me out of pity."
James pressed her tightly to his chest and caressed her back. “I can’t ever imagine wanting anyone else and I don’t care about this so-called curse. It hasn't worked so far, because we are together. I know we can break it. It’s been done before.”
Jo sighed deeply. She wished with all her heart his words were true, but she couldn’t help her doubts. After all, what did any of them really know? Once she turned eighteen she might become invisible to James. He might not be able to feel anything for her.
James watched her for a few moments and then turned to look at the clock. “What time does Sarah usually wake?”
Jo arched a brow. It was an odd thing for him to ask. “Um … she went to bed late so probably not for another hour or two. Why?”
James bent down and brushed his lips over hers, in a soft kiss. “I’ve changed my mind,” he whispered in her ear. “I want you to be persistent.”
Jo didn’t quite understand what he meant, but his meaning soon became crystal clear as he pressed his lips to hers again, this time kissing her deeply and intensely, as he pulled her closer and tightened his arms around her. Her whole body stirred with those unfamiliar, but insanely good feelings, that heightened, and spun out of control, the deeper he kissed her. Neither of them spoke another word as James led her into his room and closed the door.
Jo opened the door to the flat to find Spencer and Sarah both standing in the kitchen, arms folded, facing James’s room. She could almost hear the sigh of relief when they saw her with James in tow, walking behind, holding a tray of steaming coffees and a bag full of buns.
“Good morning we thought we’d buy breakfast,” Jo said, with a grin she couldn't seem to shake.
Sarah and Spencer both blew out a deep breath at the same time. “I wondered where you were,” Sarah said unfolding her arms and taking a coffee from the tray.
“I woke really early and was feeling a bit nervous, so we decided to go for a walk,” Jo quickly explained.
James just smiled and went to sit in front of the television, coffee in hand.
Spencer left for an early class soon after and Sarah sipped her coffee eyeing Jo carefully. Jo gave James a wide berth. She didn’t really want to give away what had happened between them this morning. And she had no inclination to discuss any of that with Sarah. She figured she’d had enough to deal with over the past few days. They all had.
“I thought we might meet Daniel in the gardens and have some lunch. What do you think?” Sarah asked taking a bite from her bun.
“That sounds good,” Jo replied while staring out the window.
“Are you planning to come with us James?” Sarah called over to him.
“Um … no. I think Jo should have some time alone with him. I’m sure she doesn't need my protection anymore.”
He turned back to the television and continued to watch the news. Sarah glanced from one to the other. “You two are very quiet this morning.”
Jo turned to her. “I’m thinking about what I’ll say to Daniel. I want him to know I understand why he left us, but it’s going to be a difficult conversation.”
James glanced over. “You’ll be fine, Jo. He’s probably having the same thoughts right now.”
Sarah nodded in his direction. “James is right. When you see each other you'll work it out. Sometimes it doesn't take words to show how you feel.”
Jo sighed. “Well I’m going to have a shower and get ready.” She turned and called over her shoulder, “I’ll see you later James.”
James stood and collected his jacket and bag as Jo disappeared into Spencer’s bedroom. While gathering her toiletries for the bathroom, she realised she’d left her hairbrush in the living room. She went to retrieve it only to find James still there, Sarah's hand on his shoulder. They'd obviously been having another conversation. Jo narrowed her eyes, wondering if James had said something about them. “I need my hairbrush,” she said picking it up off the counter and looking warily at them. “I thought you needed to be in class by eight James?”
Sarah dropped her hand from James’s shoulder.
“I forgot something and had to come back,” James said, winking at her.
Jo frowned about to ask what it was, when he grabbed her, and picked her up , kissing her with more passion than she was prepared for. Her body melted at his touch, going against everything they'd discussed before going for coffee. Sarah's loud cough broke through her daze.
“That’s better,” James said putting her down and grinning. “Good luck today. I’ll ring you later.” He stroked her cheek, then turned and left waving good-bye to Sarah.
Sarah shook her head. “Looks like you and James are getting along just fine … more than fine actually.”
Jo ignored the comment and glided out of the room, touching her lips, her whole body buzzing, her calm demeanour completely rattled.
Jo stood waiting outside the busy campus cafe. She hugged her arms around her body and pulled her dark woollen coat tighter. It was freezing this morning, which just added to her nerves. Sarah had decided to give her some time alone with Daniel, and had organised to meet them a bit later on.
Sensing someone approach, she looked up to see Daniel walking toward her wearing a long black tailored coat. He had a nervous expression, his bright blue eyes giving her an assessing gaze as he slowly took the last few steps to reach her. His black gloved hands hung at his sides, one holding a decorative bag, which he swung lightly. They stood apart for a few moments, just staring at each other. Then Jo sucked in a quick breath and took a step forward, closing the gap between them. She tentatively placed her arms around his waist pulling him into a tight hug. “Hello, Father,” she whispered into this chest.
Daniel didn't say anything, but Jo could feel the tension leave his shoulders, as he hugged her back. After a few moments he pulled away, so she could see the tears welling in his eyes. Jo could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks. They were both crying as he kissed her cheek and stroked her hair. “Hello my darling girl,” he uttered with a crackly voice, as he held her close again.
“Shall we find somewhere to sit and talk?” Daniel suggested.