Caleb's Song

by Kathleen Ryder

  “Staff? That’s your department brother dear, how many do you have now? Eighteen? Ninete-”

  “Watch out!” Caleb’s panicked shout interrupts Sam, and he blinks once, surprise etching his features. The unrelenting screech of bare metal tyre rims on bitumen reaches a crescendo before fading into silence, the world turning black, the only sound an incessant beep, beep, beep.

  “Caleb? Caleb? Caleb, are you even listening to me?” Caleb turned around slowly, not trusting his ears, it can’t be, can it?

  “Sam?” He whispered, a lump in his throat, not daring himself to speak aloud.

  “Of course, it is me Caleb, who else would it be?” Concern etched Sam’s features. “Caleb, are you feeling alright?”

  “I...How are you here?”

  “You deserve this Caleb, don’t ever doubt that. Gabby loves you, she will keep loving you, until all breath as left her body. That is what I came to say, to tell you. I am so proud of you; I always have been. Gabby and the girls, your new baby, you were always meant to be a family.”

  “I miss you.” Caleb choked out.

  “I know.” Sam replied, “It isn’t fair, is it? You aren’t going to see me anymore Caleb, after today you won’t have these nightmares anymore.”

  “What? No, Sam that-”

  “You will still remember me, Caleb, and every time you look at your son you will know I am there, but no more late-night conversations, it isn’t fair. You need to let me go now Caleb.”

  “I can’t, Sam, I just can’t.”

  “Yes, you can, you are so much more than you give yourself credit for. I love you Caleb, I was always so proud to be your brother.”

  “Sam, I love you.” Tears rolled down Caleb’s cheeks unnoticed.

  “I know.” Sam fixed Caleb with his trademark grin, winked, then turned and left the room. Caleb sat bolt upright, sunlight streaming through the open window, the blue haze of the ocean glistening outside. He felt calmer than he had in months, more peaceful, more like himself.

  “Goodbye Sam,” he whispered into the empty room, before climbing out of bed and heading downstairs in search of the smell of coffee currently permeating his house.

  He found his father in the kitchen, along with Nate, Tom, and Alex, the four of them attempting to decipher the instruction manual for the barista machine.

  “Here,” Caleb stepped into the kitchen, pressed a few buttons, and stepped back, watching as the machine sprang to life, hissing and spitting.

  “Huh,” his dad commented, “I didn’t realise you knew how to make this thing work.”

  “Dad, please, I know a thing or two about my own kitchen.”

  “Gabby showed you huh?” His dad guessed correctly, chuckling as he handed Caleb a cappuccino.

  “Thanks dad, everything all set?” Caleb tried not to let his nerves get the better of him.

  “All set,” his father confirmed.

  Caleb couldn’t settle, he fidgeted with his suit, he paced up and down the loungeroom, he got on everyone’s nerves. Eventually Nate, Tom, and Alex had had enough, the three of them ganging up and ushering Caleb into the music studio, placing a guitar into his hands and telling him to sit there and play until they came back for him. seriously, they shook their heads, if this was love, they were glad they were single. By the time the guys had everything else sorted out and returned to tell Caleb it was time to go, he had completely written a new song, brandishing it at them, excitedly telling them that this song was the one, this song was the one that he and Gabby should share their first dance as husband and wife to, and would they please play it for him. at their agreeance, he clapped them all on their backs, and strode from the room heading for the cars.

  Gabby looked exquisite, her Grace Kelly inspired wedding gown flattered her figure perfectly, complimenting the soft blush of her cheeks. Her parents had left her alone, taking Lucia and Sofia downstairs to wait. Gabby looked at her reflection in the floor length mirror, smoothing out the fabric of the dress, marvelling at the way it hung, the feel of it beneath her fingers. Lowering her veil, she gave her reflection a nod, before heading downstairs to join the rest of her family. Sofia and Lucia waited patiently, they looked so pretty in their matching sage green bridesmaids dresses, her mother gasping and bursting into tears when she saw Gabby.

  “Oh, you look so beautiful!” Her mother embraced her, kissing her cheeks.

  “I’m ready,” Gabby spoke to the room, her father nodding proudly. “Let’s go.”

  The church was glittering, Caleb had insisted that Gabby should have the wedding she had always wanted, her dream wedding, no matter how outrageous or what the cost was. The wooden pews had been decorated with bunches of eucalyptus leaves mixed with stems of delicate tear drop crystals. The same crystals had been used to hang from the ceiling as bunting, and the girls both wore subtle tiaras from the same designer. Maria fussed with straightening Sofia and Lucia’s dresses, Nico offering Gabby his arm, walking now with the aid of a cane. As the music started and Lucia and Sofia began their walk down the aisle, Gabby turned to her father and smiled, kissing him on the cheek softly.

  Gabby couldn’t keep her eyes off Caleb waiting at the other end of the aisle, she could hardly believe that he was hers, that she was actually about to marry him, to become Mrs Roman. She would never in a million years have thought that she would ever marry a rockstar, or marry at all if she was being honest, yet here she was, about to embark on her greatest adventure with her best friend and lover, a man who she would give her life for, a man who she knew she could not live without, who she didn’t want to live without. If it had not been for her father’s steady walk, she would have run down the aisle to join him.

  Caleb wore a tailored suit, having told Gabby that he would be retiring his all black wardrobe, with the exception of his skinny black jeans, which he would keep, for her eyes only. As Gabby drew closer to Caleb, she took a moment to look around at all of the people who had come so far to celebrate their day. It seemed as if everyone who had been able to get to Sydney had come, with guests flying in from as far away as Dubai, Canada, and even London. Nearly the entire town of Beryl Creek had come to Sydney for their special day, feeling especially honoured to be included in their special day. Gabby’s and Caleb’s family sat together, there were no sides in this wedding, everyone was one family now, their tears and happy faces telling the couple just how happy they were that this day was here at last, just as they had told them both often in the past few months just how blessed they felt that they had found each other.

  Standing in front of their family and friends, Caleb and Gabby pledged to love, support, and encourage each other, until death do they part, a promise that they kept for the rest of their days. Much later, as Caleb and Gabby shared their first dance as husband and wife, to a song that he had written with her in mind, a song that would later reach platinum status on the billboards, Gabby guided Caleb’s hand to her still flat stomach with a secret smile, whispering in his ear that she suspected that in six months their family may be about to grow bigger. Caleb stopped suddenly, eyes round, asking her if she was sure. At her delighted nod he picked her up, swinging her around with a whoop, before placing her down gently and kissing her with a passion only she would ever know.

  EPILOGUE

  Gabby’s hospital room had been as busy as Pitt Street, with dozens of well wishes keen to stop by and to congratulate the new parents, and to try and get a peek of their sweet baby. Caleb had been fiercely protective of Gabby throughout the entire pregnancy, insisting on hiring a bodyguard for her, just in case fans of the Three Odd Lizards got a little too close for comfort. Gabby had told him not to overreact, that she would be fine, and she had been. She did relent however and agree to a bodyguard at the hospital after she was admitted with Braxton hicks and a fan snuck in masquerading as a doctor. She was only thankful that she was fully clothed, and that Caleb had been running late that day, otherwise things might have been vastly different.

  Caleb was relishing
his new role of daddy, fussing over his pregnant wife, who he claimed had never looked more beautiful, and spending time making sure that Lucia and Sofia knew that they were loved and special. The adoption papers had finally come through, and Caleb was now listed as Lucia and Sofia’s legal father, the knowledge of which gave him great peace. The girls had taken to Sydney with an amazing fervour, the private school Gabby and Caleb enrolled them in offered a range of classes, and both girls easily found their niche. Lucia had discovered a passion for art and was excelling at the subject. Caleb and Gabby had been happy to encourage her, even installing a studio at the back of the property so that she could continue her creative pursuits during the school holidays.

  Sofia on the other hand had picked up a cello during their tour of the school, fingering the bow longingly, hesitantly confessing on the car ride home that she might like to learn how to play. The schoolteacher personally phoned Gabby after Sofia’s first lesson, informing her that as far as she was concerned, Sofia had real talent, and that she needed to be given a cello and professional lessons without delay. Gabby baulked at the cost, but Caleb insisted that the most important thing they would ever do was to encourage the girls in their passions. Sofia’s cello was delivered the following day, now six months later and the change in her was incredible, listening to her was pure joy, she had such an infinity with the instrument.

  Nico and Maria had become firm friends with Peter and Judy and were loving retirement. Caleb and Gabby had purchased the bed and breakfast and the bakery from her parents, intending to keep them both, at least until the girls were older. Gabby had hired a full-time staff for the bakery, four bakers and six shop assistants, and after Caleb’s paparazzi endorsement of the bakery, and subsequent leaking of the fact that he was now, technically, co-owner, busines had boomed and had not slowed down. Nico and Maria had moved to Sydney shortly after Caleb and Gabby’s wedding, and Caleb had bought them a modest single storey house in Double Bay, a short drive from both Caleb and Gabby, and Peter and Judy. The house had five bedrooms, a swimming pool for Nico’s therapy, and a lovely entertaining area, ideal for when the grandchildren came to stay.

  For now, though, Gabby’s room was filled with family only, Tom, Nate, and Alex having just left. As Caleb gazed down at his son sleeping in his arms, he was struck by how lucky he was, how truly blessed to have found Gabby and her family, his family now. Gabby’s hospital room was full of flowers, it looked like a florist had opened up shop, a testament to just how many people cared about Gabby and how many people wished them well.

  “Caleb?” Gabby touched his arm.

  “Yes love,” Caleb tore his eyes away from his son to look at his wife of six months.

  “You don’t have to hold him constantly you know,” she teased him gently, “you can put him down, he will be fine in the bassinette.”

  “Not a chance,” Caleb grinned at Gabby. “This is my son,” Caleb choked up as he said the words, “I don’t want to miss anything.” His son, honestly, Caleb could not believe it. He looked around the room, at his parents and at his daughter’s, Lucia and Sofia, at Nico and Maria, each one of them loving him, loving Gabby, without question. Sam was right, it had always meant to be. He cleared his throat and spoke directly to his sleeping son. “Samuel Nicolas, you are named after two of the finest people your mama and I ever loved. Welcome home little one, you are wanted, you are treasured, and you are loved.”

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  Did you love Caleb's Song? Then you should read Fling With The Flying Doctor by Kathleen Ryder!

  A cynical doctor. A nurse with a secret. How far would you go for the person you loved?

  Jurgen Cristo loves his role as a doctor working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Based in the isolated outback town of Alice Springs, his job is demanding, every call is another fight to save the life of a stranger. Betrayed by his ex-fiancé, he is cynical of relationships, vowing to never risk his heart again.

  Meghan Richards is a compassionate and talented nurse working on the children's ward. Trapped by her past mistakes, she harbours a secret which has condemned her to a lifetime of singledom.

  Jurgen and Meghan begin a casual romance, ultimately leading them to question everything they thought they wanted. When Jurgen's old flame appears, and Meghan's devastating secret is revealed, he makes the ultimate declaration to win back the woman he loves.

  "Fling With The Flying Doctor" is a contemporary story of romance, recovery, and revelation. Book One in the "Outback Doctors" series, "Fling With The Flying Doctor" is set in the harsh Australian desert, featuring strong main characters that are relatable and recognisable to modern day women.

  Other books in the "Outback Doctors" series include "The Surgeon's Baby" (release date late 2020), "Taming the Surgeon" (release date 2021), and "Date with the Flying Doctor Prince" (release date 2021).

  Read more at Kathleen Ryder’s site.

  Also by Kathleen Ryder

  Outback Doctors

  Fling With The Flying Doctor

  Rockstar Redemption

  Caleb's Song (Coming Soon)

  Standalone

  Twisters

  Watch for more at Kathleen Ryder’s site.

  About the Author

  A romantic at heart, Kathleen writes sexy and heart-warming contemporary romance, featuring thought provoking plots and strong main characters that are relatable and recognisable to modern day women.

  Kathleen is a proud mother and foster mother.

  She has also been, among other things, a circus performer, portrait photographer, primary school teacher, cake artist, nanny, tour guide, and wedding and event planner.

  Her goals in life are simply to finish raising happy, imaginative, and inquisitive children; to make a real and tangible difference in the lives of others; and to keep writing novels for as long as she possibly can.

  Kathleen makes her home in the isolated desert, surrounded by red dirt, striking mountain ranges, and endless clear blue skies. It is this stunning landscape that features as backdrop for many of her novels.

  When she is not writing, you can find Kathleen hanging out with her boys, reading, or planning her next adventure!

  Read more at Kathleen Ryder’s site.

  About the Publisher

  Formed in 2020 to support local and Indigenous Australian authors.