Father & Son: Book two of the Jensen Family Series

by Michelle Day

  “You don’t have to tell me twice.” He grinned and gathered Suzanne in his arms. “I’ve got you now baby,” he whispered as he broke the kiss.

  Stroking her hand down his cheek, she couldn’t help but mimic his smile. “And I have you lover.”

  Handing his wife into the carriage, he shook hands with the driver, before climbing in after his new wife. As he moved the lower half of her dress out of the way, he noticed for the first time the colouring on the bottom of it.

  “What did you do to your dress?” He asked, settling in beside her.

  Tutting, she grasped his hand “Nothing, it was made that way to my specification. Honestly, you are such an ignoramus when it comes to these things. You didn’t even notice it when I came down the aisle did you?”

  “Nope. All I saw was you and my dreams coming true.”

  Snuggling into his side, she smiled to herself. “That’s just won you a few points.” She whispered then sat up, turning in her seat. “Take a closer look at your ring.” She demanded. “I had it made especially for you.”

  As she was almost vibrating with excitement, how could he refuse? Holding his hand out, the first thing he noticed was the colour, Rose Gold, matching his watch. The band was wide, anything smaller would have been swamped by his large hand. Lifting his hand higher and twisting the band around, he began to laugh. “This is perfect for me, how the hell did you get someone to agree to do this?”

  “I know people. Do you like it?”

  “I love it.” He stroked a finger across the intricate carvings and held his hand a little further away. From a distance it just looked like the ring was engraved but under closer examination, you could clearly see the figures performing several positions from the Karma Sutra. “What do you think of the carriage?”

  “It’s perfect. Thank you for arranging it. How did you know I’d always wanted this on my wedding day?”

  “Tessa let slip and I’m really glad she did.”

  “You only had six weeks to arrange it. Most of these things are booked years in advance. How did you manage to swing it?”

  “I too know people and I have a reputation for getting my way.”

  When Matt started his best man’s speech with the words “I didn’t think I’d ever be doing this again for Paul. Huh, who am I kidding, I absolutely knew I’d be doing this again for him.” Paul hung his head as his brother continued in his humorous vein for the entire speech.

  Leaning closer to his brother as he finally sat down, Paul whispered “Don’t forget I’ll be doing this for you one day.” Satisfied when Matt’s smug smile faded, Paul turned his attention back to his wife.

  All in all, it turned out to be a very good day despite the occasional disapproving look from his new in-laws and the odd snarl from Michael, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves but Suzanne and Paul were mightily relieved when the guests began to leave and they could retire to their suite for the night.

  Chapter Forty

  Breakfast was served in their room the following morning. The mood was subdued after the wedding. They both admitted to being a little shell shocked and the expected passion of the wedding night had given way to tender caresses before sleep had claimed them.

  Wearing only one of the hotels fluffy robes, Paul further examined his wedding ring as he waited for his wife that would never get old, calling her his wife, to get out of the shower.

  “What’s this? The dance of the seven towels?” He asked as she emerged a waft of steam following her through the bedroom and into the sitting room of the suite.

  “Isn’t it seven veils?”

  He watched as she removed the towel from her head and shook out her long blond hair. “Yes but we don’t have veils, we have towels.”

  “But I only have two.”

  “Good, less for me to take off.”

  Backing up, Suzanne shook a finger at him “Don’t we have places to be?”

  “Hmmm? What was that?” Paul closed in on her. “I need you Suzie. Right now.” When he didn’t hear any further protests, he quickly slipped the remaining towel from her body and shrugged out of his robe to press his body to hers.

  Without her signature high heels on, she was tiny when pressed to him. He enjoyed her shorter stature and her curves melted him every second of every day. His hands settled on her waist as he bent to kiss her.

  Coming up onto her tip toes to return his kiss, Suzanne pressed her hands to his chest, dragging her nails over his perfect skin. She had no idea just how he made her desire him so much so she just went with it.

  It’s hard to kiss someone when you are smiling but that’s exactly what her sigh caused Paul to do as he kissed her neck, working his way to her breasts. Her hands went into his hair, gripping tightly but being forced to release it when he dropped to his knees and positioned her leg over his shoulder.

  She was thankful for the wall behind her as his fingers and mouth worked her into a frenzy. He had obviously been taught well and no doubt had thrown in a few tricks of his own.

  Paul loved how she came apart for him. He’d had plenty of responsive women but none had tasted as sweet or responded as well as Suzanne did. He lifted her with him as he came to his feet, her legs automatically wrapping around him as he sunk into her. She held his face in her hands, cleaning her essence from him as he began a slow grind, keeping contact with her clit, building her up again.

  Holding her tighter, he lifted her away from the wall and slowly walked backwards to settle his backside on the rolled arm of the sofa. Untangling her legs from around him, he hooked them over the arm supporting his behind. Linking her fingers behind his neck as his large hands supported the small of her back, she bore down on him, gaining extra leverage from tightening her calves against the sofa.

  “That’s it Suzie, slower, deeper. Ahhh yes. This is how it’s going to be every day now. You and me. I’m going to find new ways to please you, I’m going to make sure you start each day completely devastated but with a huge smile on your face. You won’t be able to make any early appointments baby because you’re going to need recovery time from all the salacious things I’m going to do to you.” He bit his lip as she tightened her thighs over his hips, his fingers digging into her flesh as he encouraged her to move faster now. “Come on baby, claim me. Make me yours.” His back arched when she wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs tightly around his waist and rode him without mercy.

  This is why she loved being petite. This man of hers made no effort at all when he lifted her, still clamped to him like a limpet and moved them to the bedroom. Laying her on the bed, covering her with his weight and still moving slowly even though she’d been sure he’d just had the orgasm to surpass all orgasms.

  Slow movements now. Soft kisses, gentle caresses and murmurs as they moved together, keeping eye contact. Oh yes, if things carried on this way, they would almost certainly be happily married for a very long time.

  Lost in each other, it took a while for either of them to notice the phone by the bed ringing.

  “Fuck.” Paul breathed, his rhythm disturbed by the ringing as he rested his forehead to hers.

  “You should get it. It might be a problem with one of your kids.”

  As he hadn’t heard from Gavin in a few weeks, Suzanne’s voice of reason had him removing himself from her lovely warm body and reaching for the phone. Laying on his back as Suzanne snuggled into his side. The caller the reception desk put through had him sitting up, his skin chilling at the words.

  He jumped off the bed as he replaced the receiver and began shoving his clothing into the overnight bag.

  Halting him in his tracks buy removing the bag from him “What’s wrong?” She asked.

  “I’m still listed as Carmen’s next of kin. She’s been in an accident, prognosis is dire. I have to get hold of Gavin.”

  Taking over from packing the bag, “Call a cab. You should go to Gloucester.”

  “What? We are going on honeymoon tomorrow. I just need to get Gavin home.�
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  “Paul, pause for a moment. You should be there too. She’s the mother of your son. I know a part of you still cares for her and I would think Gavin will need you there.” She reasoned. “I’ll take care of postponing the honeymoon and anything else you need.”

  “You are amazing, do you know that?” He leaned down to kiss her quickly. He tried Gavin’s phone a few times during the cab ride home but it didn’t even go to voicemail. Growling in frustration as he watched his new wife flit around packing a bag for him, he found Novak’s number. His phone rang for a while but went to voicemail. Leaving a curt message, Paul hung up, ran down the stairs and picked up the bag that was waiting for him. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.” He told Suzanne.

  “Take as long as is needed lover. I’ll still be here. Call me if you need me. I can come up ok?”

  “Ok. I’ll call you later.” He didn’t look back as he threw his bag into his Porsche and fired it up.

  Suzanne watched as he drove away, hoping he’d take it a little easy on the way there. She frowned when she saw someone hovering by the electric gates that were slowly closing behind her departing husband. Bloody nosy neighbours she thought but didn’t think any more of it. Closing the door, she set about packing her wedding dress ready to be sent for alterations. She wasn’t the type of woman to have the garment sitting in the wardrobe for years. No. The dress was to be shortened and used again.

  After drying off, the first thing Novak did was reach for his phone. The flashing light telling him he had a message. Thinking it was probably his mum checking up on him, he moved away from the crowd around him and leant against his car.

  His jovial mood changed as he listened to Paul’s message and there was no hesitation when he was given the option to return the call.

  “What do you want me to do?” His opening gambit when Paul answered on the first ring.

  “Tell Gavin there’s been an accident involving Carmen and I want him home. Pack everything into your car and find out where the flying school is.” Paul gave Novak the name which he wrote in the dirt on his car. “I’m sending a helicopter for you both. Give your car keys to the pilot and he’ll make sure it makes it home.”

  “You don’t want me to elaborate do you?”

  “I think it’s probably best if you don’t.”

  Novak stood for a few moments watching his friend, his brother. He looked happy surrounded by strangers but Novak knew the darkness that resided inside him. Gavin’s life was about to be changed forever and Novak feared that the darkness inside his friend would overwhelm him. He faked a smile when Gavin beckoned him beckoned him over.

  As discreetly as he could, Novak wrote down the directions to the flying school Paul had told him to get to then he announced to the surrounding crowd that he and Gavin had to start making their way home. Phone numbers were exchanged then they began to dismantle the tent.

  “We have another week here.” Gavin looked at him over the roof of the car as they stashed their boards on the roof rack.

  “We have to get home.” He walked around to Gavin’s side. “There’s been an accident. Your mum is in hospital and your dad is sending a helicopter for us. We have to leave. Now.”

  “Is she ok?”

  “I don’t know Gav.” He hated lying but had to admit Paul was right. A Gavinesque freak out right now wouldn’t help anyone.

  Normally they would have been excited to squeeze into a helicopter and take flight as this was their virgin journey so to speak but you could cut the tension with a knife. Gavin had tried to call Paul but his phone had died and he didn’t have a charger. Calling him from Novak’s phone proved equally as fruitless as it went straight to voicemail.

  The helicopter pilot had obtained permission to land on a playing field close to the hospital prior to collecting the two teenagers currently in his charge. He had to hold Gavin back until the rotors had stopped before allowing him out of the aircraft. It was a testament to the boys’ upbringing that he received thanks for the flight before they both sprinted across the playing field and disappeared from sight.

  Chapter Forty One

  Paul called Helen from the car. He wasn’t quite sure the information from the hospital had been correct but when she confirmed that Carmen had gone out early that morning and had yet to return he had to face the fact that the hospital had got it right. The line went quiet for a few moments before Helen said she’d meet him there.

  True to her word, she was waiting for him outside Carmen’s room. Paul took in her paler than usual complexion as he took her trembling body in his arms.

  “It’s really bad Paul. They don’t think she’ll last the night.”

  “Shit. Helen, you need to pull yourself together. I’ve sent a helicopter for Gavin and Luke. They will be here soon. Gavin is not going to take this well.”

  Nodding, drying her eyes and visibly giving herself a shake, Helen straightened her clothes and looked him in the eye. “This will need careful handling. None of your bombastic parenting ok?”

  “Are you trying to tell me how to handle my son?” Paul bristled.

  “No, I’m trying to tell you how to handle this situation so wind your neck in.”

  Normally Paul would have snapped out a reply but this was neither the time nor the place. They waited patiently, clock watching and glancing down the corridor for the imminent arrival of the boys.

  Gaining access to Carmen’s bedside, her injuries were described as not conducive to life. The accident involving her car and an articulated vehicle although described in loose terms still sounded horrifically graphic, very little was left of the car after the crash and even less after the fire brigade had done their bit and rescued Carmen from it. Her beloved pet dog was dead.

  Currently breathing for herself albeit with assistance from an oxygen mask, even the layman could see her body had been severely crushed. She had been in and out of consciousness for several hours now and the hospital staff expected her to lapse into a coma before the reaper came for her.

  Carmen’s eyes widened briefly when she saw Paul standing next to her. Her voice barely above a whisper so that he had to lean close to hear her, she begged him to take care of their boy, a promise he easily made as that had been his priority since the day he was born. Her words making it evident that she knew her demise was inevitable.

  She started to say no when he told her Gavin was on his way. No, she didn’t want him to see her this way but she went quiet when he responded that their son needed to see her, he needed to say goodbye.

  He didn’t think he’d be affected by this at all but it seemed Suzanne had been right when she’d said a part of him still cared. Taken completely unawares by the emotion that swamped him, he took a step back from the bed and made brief eye contact with Helen. Taking a deep breath, he excused himself from the room.

  Leaning against the wall outside the room, he bent over, bracing his hands on his knees as he sucked in and blew out deep breaths, trying to calm his emotions, feeling sick and at that moment in time he would give anything not to go back into that room.

  Seeing his father bent double as he turned the corner in the corridor made Gavin stop. The simple fact that they had been directed to the intensive care unit was a bit of a giveaway as to the severity of his mother’s injuries but seeing the person who he considered to be an emotionless narcissist having a clearly physical reaction had caused his forward motion to cease.

  Novak’s hand on his shoulder, pushing him forward was the only thing that made him move. He had an overwhelming urge to run away and not deal with anything concerning his parents.

  “Dad?” He stopped a few feet away, not saying anything else. Just waiting.

  Walking his hands up his legs purely to give himself a little more time before he had to face his son, Paul finally made it to a standing position and pushed off from the wall. He made no move to embrace his son knowing the boy would push him away but there was no way he could let Gavin into that room unprepared.


  Stoic silence greeted him when he’d finished explaining what had happened and what to expect on entering the room. He’d done his best act in tactfulness, not something he was known for and glossing over some of the more gory details as had been told to him.

  Gavin stood staring at his father, unbelieving, still hoping that he was wrong, that he’d misunderstood what he’d been told but his stomach was in knots and he was in desperate need of comforting. The only person capable of doing that was about to exit his life. “I need to see her.”

  Nodding, Paul opened the door and ushered the two boys inside. Novak moved to Helen’s side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, not going for an all-out hug as he was aware his friend wouldn’t be able to do that to his own mother, not now or ever again.

  Putting a chair by the bedside, Paul stepped back as Gavin’s legs gave way. He missed the grateful glance the boy shot him as he joined the others on the far side of the bed. He watched as his son gently slide his large hand beneath Carmen’s and began talking softly to her.

  Ever since hormones had become a factor which had guided Gavin, with Novak’s help down what Carmen had considered the path of degradation, their relationship had become strained as at best. Gavin was argumentative beyond the realms of the normal teenage strop and his ability to dream up ways to irritate his mother was nothing short of genius, it was clear to all present that the angst was just surface tension and there was genuine deep feeling between mother and son that could not be rivalled.

  Helen stepped forward to dry her friends’ tears as they streamed down the sides of her face. Paul turned away, trying not to watch the room in the reflection of the glass.

  Suzanne woke to the insistent and rather irritating noise from the buzzer connected to the electric gates. Mumbling promises of injury to the person who had disturbed her already restless slumber, she reached over Paul’s empty side of the bed to lift the receiver.