Mirabella latched onto the bottle like she’d never been fed. I laughed at the speed she was gulping down the formula. No wonder she was packing on the weight. She finished her feed and I was burping her when Simon walked in. He stared at me hesitantly, not knowing what to expect.
“Hi,” I smiled, rocking Mirabella on my chest while gently rubbing her back.
“Hey,” he said, “I missed you.” He sauntered over to me, kissing my cheek and stroking his daughters’ head. “You’re a natural,” he commented.
“Yeah, this is easy,” I said waving my hand, not mentioning the two hours’ sleep I got last night when she decided that sleep was overrated.
“Do you want me to take her?” he asked, his arms out ready. I placed her in his arms, watching as his face lit up. “God she is beautiful,” he murmured. He walked into the nursery with me behind him and rocked her gently in his arms. It wasn’t long before she had fallen back asleep.
“This is the bit that had me pulling my hair out last night,” I whispered as he placed her in the crib. She stirred, then snuggled into the blankets he had wrapped snugly around her. “Show-off,” I said to him, poking my tongue out. He chuckled, leading me out of the room.
“I missed you, did I tell you that?” he said, running his fingers across my cheek.
“You might have. How was your time with Maddie?” I asked, letting him pull me closer to him. I breathed in his aftershave, the smell making me weak at the knees.
“It was great. Mom loved seeing her and spending time with Maddie was exactly what I needed.”
“Did you see your sister?” I asked gently stroking his forearm. He nodded.
“She wasn’t good. God Em, seeing her like that made me remember hoe close I came to losing you.” Delicately, I reached up to catch the tears that had begun to fall.
“I’m sorry Simon, for how I acted after…” I didn’t finish the sentence, not able to say the words without flaring up my anger toward her again.
“You reacted how anyone would,” Simon reasoned, leading me into the bedroom. He kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed, pulling me with him. We both lay down, entangled in each other’s arms.
“You’re the only one I ever want, Em. You know that don’t you?” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He leaned down and kissed me a deep passion filled kiss. I kissed him back, my lips pressing against his, my mouth exploring his.
“Anymore memories returned?”
I shook my head. “Every now and then I get a flash of a memory, but nothing that I can actually make out. I think I need to stress less about it and maybe if I put less pressure on myself, things might come back to me.”
“You reckon?” Simon chuckled, mocking me. I nudged him. Yes, he had been saying all along that I needed to not think about it, but that was a conclusion I needed to reach myself. “Maddie’s birthday is this Saturday. If you don’t feel like going you don’t have to,” he added, circling the skin on the back of my hand.
“No, I want to be there for Maddie,” I decided. And to let Claire know she wasn’t going to take Simon from me. Not if I had anything to do with it.
“I love you, you know that?” he hugged me so tightly I struggled to breath. Laughing, I kissed him.
“I love you too.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Simon
Somehow when Em had seen Claire’s email to me, she had failed to see the email directly below entitled ‘Moving back to the USA!’ I took that as a sign to continue with the surprise that Maria had wanted to employ on Em.
Following their application on the house being accepted, Maria and her two girls were flying in today. The last few days had been an absolute mess for me, trying to get everything ready for them without arousing Em’s suspicion. If she did think something was up, she wasn’t showing it, at least not to me.
I had wanted to pick them up from the airport, but there was no possible way for me to do it without Em asking questions. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin everything, so I had begrudgingly agreed to them taking a cab. Phillip was joining them next week after his current contract finished up.
It had just ticked passed eleven am and I was a wreck. I’d at least had the sense to pick up some work from the office, where I would be starting at next week. They had been fantastic in understanding my circumstances for the last month and I was actually looking forward to starting.
With a caseload of work, I was able to believably put my jitters down to the stress of starting a new job.
“You’re really jumpy today,” Em observed.
“Yeah, just trying to get my head around the cases I’ll be dealing with next week,” I apologized. As much as I hated lying to her, I knew this was one surprise she was going to love.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Emma
As I placed Mirabella back in her crib, the doorbell rang.
“Can you get it Em?” Simon called out. Rolling my eyes, I made my way to the front door, wondering who it was. Cass hadn’t called, neither had mom and dad. Swinging open the door, my mouth dropped open in shock, so much so that I didn’t even react to Simon threading his arms around my waist.
“Surprise,” he whispered in my ear. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Maria and my two sisters Layla and Natalie, were standing in front of me.
“Holy shit you guys are here?!” I screeched, hugging Maria first and then the girls. Mirabella began to wail in the background.
Shit.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get her,” Simon said, running his fingers over my back, “Invite them in,” he added, laughing.
“Oh, come inside,” I gushed, moving aside to let them in. My hands on my head, I struggled to figure out how this had happened without me knowing a thing.
“How long are you staying for?” I asked, leading them into the kitchen.
“A year? Maybe longer?” Maria laughed, hugging me again.
“What? How? I demanded.
“Phillip has a contract at the hospital where Mirabella was born, actually. We’re moving here. In fact, our new house is about a five minute drive from here, over on Lakeside.”
“Holy shit,” I mumbled. I clapped my hand over my mouth and blushed. “Sorry girls,” I said to my sisters who both laughed.
“Would you like to meet your granddaughter?” Simon walked into the kitchen nursing Mirabella. Maria gasped, rushing over to them.
“She’s beautiful,” she breathed. She turned to me, tears in her eyes, “she looks just like you did when you were born,” she added, holding my hand.
“You remember?” I whispered, wiping my own eyes.
“I could never forget, Emma. I remember holding you after your birth every single day. I could never forget that moment.”
“How do you two feel about helping me shop for a five year old?” Simon asked the girls. Layla laughed.
“Well I love shopping. Nat here would probably prefer to read a book or something boring like that,” she added. Natalie nudged her sister.
“Shut up, just because I don’t spend all my time shopping for slutty clothes,” she retorted. Simon widened his eyes at me as I giggled, knowing he was probably regretting his offer.
“Have fun,” I said sweetly, “hey why don’t you take Mirabella too?” I suggested, ignoring his deathly glare. The girls agreed excitedly and Simon, knowing he was locked into this finally nodded.
“So I was sixteen when I fell pregnant with you. I was very troubled back then. At fifteen, I was doing heroin, sleeping around, regularly running away from home. My life was a mess. When I found out I was pregnant I didn’t know what to do,” Maria paused, using the time to take a breath. “I eventually went back home. Mom was always going to be there for me and I knew that, so going home wasn’t a hard decision. Your…Garry, my brother, and Leslie had been trying for years to have a baby. They convinced me that you would be better off with them.
“So rather than help you they took me off you?” I said harshly.
“They were right though, Em. I couldn’t even care for myself, let alone a child. Garry offered me money to have the baby and give you up to them.”
“So you took the money and spent it on what? Drugs?” I asked.
“I spent the money on drugs,” Maria admitted, weeping softly. I reached out and touched her hand. “I still remember the day I hit bottom. I had overdosed on a bad hit in an alleyway. As I was dying, I thought of you. Was this really how I wanted everything to end? Someone called in the paramedics and I decided that was my second chance. With the help of a refuge I booked myself into a rehab clinic and got myself clean. I waited two years after that overdose to contact Garry because I wanted to be sure I was clean before I re-entered your life.”
“So what did you do after mom and dad said no? Dad threatened to call the police?” I asked.
“Yes. I’d forged documents in his name when I was broke and desperate for a hit. He had the ability to send me to jail for a long time. So I left. You were happy with them, I could see that. I moved across the country where I met Phillip.”
“It must have been so hard for you to leave me,” I mumbled.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The day you emailed me, I can’t even tell you how I felt…” she sobbed as the words caught in her throat. “I tried a few times to get in contact with Garry to see how you were going, but I never got a reply. Mom would update me.”
“Gran never told you about the attack?” I said, surprised.
“I think she didn’t tell me because there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t reach out to you, or help you. I think she was trying to protect me.” That sounded a lot like gran.
I stood up and moved closer to Maria, wrapping my arms around her. I could almost feel her let go of the anxiety and guilt she’d been carrying for the last twenty years.
“I love you Maria and I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered, kissing her cheek. She kissed me back, her face wet with tears. The front door opened and the girls and Simon walked back in. I glanced at my watch, surprised they were back so early. Five o clock! We had been talking for nearly three hours!
“Hey,” Simon smiled, handing me Mirabella, “you two look happy,” he joked, referencing our tear stained faces.
“We are happy,” I agreed, cradling my daughter as Maria held her tiny hand.
“Well we spent an absolute fortune on Maddie,” he announced, flopping into an armchair. “And the girls were rather impressed with the mall,” he added. Maria smiled and raised her eyebrows at the girls, who nodded.
We ordered Chinese for dinner and watched movies, Maria and the girls finally agreeing to stay with us rather than the hotel. The evening was perfect.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Emma
The next few days were flat out busy, between helping Maria get set up in the new house and looking after the baby, I was exhausted. Simon had been trying to convince me to take things easy, but there was so much to be done I couldn’t stop my mind from running when I rested anyway.
Saturday rolled around before I knew it. Today was the day of Maddie’s birthday and the first time I would’ve seen Claire since she kissed Simon. The thing that surprised me the most was that it was not so much the leaving the house, or the attending a party that had me worked up, it was the talk I had decided I was going to have with Claire. The one where I let her know that kissing my fiancé was just not on.
Maria and the girls had taken Mirabella out for the day. I loved how quickly she had fallen into the grandmother role, especially since my parents had resumed their trip in Europe as soon as I was released from hospital. That got to me. It hurt me that they hadn’t stuck around to make sure I was coping. I knew Simon had told them Maria was coming over, but I didn’t think that was a valid reason for them to skip the country so soon after my near death experience.
“Fuck you look amazing,” Simon had crept up behind me and was admiring my reflection in the mirror. I had to admit I did look pretty good in my tight black pants and cream shirt. I looked sexy, but not inappropriate for a child’s birthday party. Turning around with his arms still around me, I placed my own arms around his neck, playing with the hair on the back of his head.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I said, raising an eyebrow as I took in his tousled dark hair, fitted shirt and jeans. “I’m a lucky woman.”
“Yeah?” he said, his hand trailing around to my front, playing with my shirt buttons. The top one popped open, followed by the second, revealing my white lace bra. He leaned down and kissed my breast, the feel of his tongue on the soft skin of my breast sending me into a spin. “I like this,” he mumbled, tugging roughly at the cup of my bra until my nipple was visible. I sighed as it disappeared into his mouth, pushing my body against his as the need for him began to grow inside of me.
In an instant, my top and bra were on the floor and he was working me out of my pants, continuous kisses trailing down my body.
“You sure you’re okay with this?” he asked, undoing his jeans. I responded by grasping either side of his shirt and ripping it open. I giggled as buttons flew everywhere. “Really?” he muttered, hoisting me onto his hips and pushing me onto the dressing table. Perfumes and make-up scattered everywhere as he thrust his hard cock inside of me.
“Ahh!” I yelped, as that first thrust pushed deep inside of me.
“You okay?” he kissed me, his lips again on my nipple, sucking it. I grasped the back of his head as he ground himself into me harder and harder.
“God you feel so good,” he gasped, wrapping me in his arms as he released inside of me. “Why did you have to go and look all damn sexy?” he grumbled, kissing me, his mouth on mine.
“I’ve missed that,” I panted, dizzy from the euphoria of my own orgasm.
“Arms around my neck,” he ordered suddenly. I did as I was asked, crying out as he lifted me onto his hips again. He carried me into the shower, testing the temperature of the water before dumping me in it.
“Now I have to re-do my hair and make-up,” I protested.
“Yes, but was it worth it?” he asked, chuckling. I nodded.
Definitely.
We were only ten minutes late to the party, which was pretty good considering the ‘unexpected delay’ we had faced.
“Emmy!” Maddie came running up to us, throwing her arms around me first. I knelt down and hugged her.
“Happy birthday my little munchkin,” I said kissing her.
“Are you all better now Emmy?” she asked seriously, her eyes wide.
“All better,” I promised, tugging her ponytail. She looked adorable in her pink tutu skirt and sparkly pink top, complete with tiara and wand. I smiled as she hugged Simon, trying to wrestle the presents out of his hands. He laughed, letting go, sending her tumbling back and presents flying everywhere.
“Dad-dy!” she sang, shaking her head as she gathered up the presents and brushed the dirt off her skirt.
Claire looked up from the other side of the room. She smiled, but avoided my gaze. Anger surged through me. She couldn’t even look me in the eye?
Calm down, Em. You will not ruin a child’s birthday party.
“Simon, Emma,” Claire said when she reached us, she wore a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She was nervous and that made me feel good.
“Hi Claire,” I said, smiling sweetly. She looked at me warily, as did Simon. Both were wondering what the hell was going on in my head.
“Hi Claire,” Simon said quietly, snaking his arm around my waist. Claire saw the move and averted her eyes.
“Well, I hope you guys enjoy yourself. I had better go and mingle.”
“What are you doing?” Simon asked me after she had left, his head cocked to the side. I tried to look innocent.
“Me? Nothing. I’m being polite,” I added.
“Okay…” he responded, not believing for a second that was all there was to it. Turning to face him, I rolled my eyes.
“You
can stop worrying. I’m not going to cause a scene. I hate scenes, remember?”
“The old Em hated scenes, you I’m not so sure about,” he chuckled, kissing me. “Let’s go check out the food.”
The party went on for a few hours and Maddie was having a blast. There was no doubting that she loved being the center of attention. After presents and cake, people began to filter out. Simon went to spend time with Maddie. As he walked away, I spied Claire going into the kitchen.
This is my chance.
Before I could change my mind, I followed her. Alone in the kitchen, Claire was yet to notice me. A lump formed in my throat as I froze, what the fuck was I going to say? I was about to leave when she turned around.
“Emma,” she said, her voice uneasy.
“Hi Claire. I thought we should talk,” I said, shocked at how calm my voice was.
“If this is about the kiss, I’m sorry-.”
“You’re sorry?” I laughed. “You kissed my fiancé, Claire. You don’t get to say you’re sorry and have everything be fine again. I have a few things I want to say and you are going to listen,” Claire looked as shocked as I felt at my forwardness.
This was so not me! I avoided confrontation, I hated it.
“Go on,” she sighed, leaning against the bench.
“Firstly, I love Simon and I know he loves me. You had no right to try and impose on that, especially under the circumstances. That was just low. Secondly, if I ever hear of you making a move on my fiancé, or if you so much as look at him as anything more than Maddie’s father, I will make you pay.”
Before she could reply, Simon walked in, obviously shocked at the sight of Claire and I in the same room, alone.
“Everything okay in here?” he asked nervously.
“Everything is fine,” Claire said, looking me in the eye.
“Okay, we better go then, Em.” He reached for my hand, squeezing it tightly as we walked out of the kitchen together.
Incredible Beauty (So Many Reasons) Page 14