Divorced, Free, and Single

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Champagne?” she asked, and he nodded as he popped the cork and re-filled their glasses.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking it from him. He knelt on one knee and looked at her. Her heart shook as his green eyes wandered all over her face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

  “Jane Elizabeth Archer, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife. Will you marry me?” She swore her heart actually stopped, and a rush of love went from the top of her to the bottom and back again.

  “Alex,” she whispered, staring at the huge, diamond engagement ring that he was offering her. She blinked a tear, as she looked at him.

  “Well?” he asked, impatiently.

  “Of course I will marry you, yes, yes, and thousand yeses!” He grinned, and put the ring on her finger.

  “I love you, Jane, with all of my heart, my soul, and my entire being,” he said, as he pulled her into his arms.

  “I love you, Alex….” she whimpered as his mouth smothered hers, and his hands ran through her hair. He released her mouth and kissed her neck, it was tantalising, and her body responded accordingly. Tingles pulsated between her thighs, and her breasts rose and fell in anticipation.

  “Alex,” she groaned, as his kisses moved down to her collarbone, and he slowly began to undo the buttons on the front of her dress until it was wide open. He kissed across her breasts, her stomach, and down across her hips. She lifted her hands to his t-shirt, and pulled it up, her fingers skimming his abs, and his nipples. He lifted his head, and she pulled his t-shirt off. His broad, muscular shoulders and tribal tattoo had her heart fluttering insanely. His mouth devoured hers again, and his kisses were so passionate, so sensual, so loving that she did not want him to stop, ever.

  Still kissing, she undid his jeans, and slipped her hand inside. Alex groaned as she took hold of him, and his kisses became more demanding, his tongue entwining with hers, his heart pounding against her chest. Alex released her for a moment, took off his jeans and pants, and slipped off her knickers.

  His hand skimmed her scar.

  “It’s ugly, isn’t it?” she whispered. He shook his head.

  “No, Jane, it is beautiful, and it will always remind me how lucky I am to have you.” He kissed it, and moved on top of her, his mouth back on hers. She opened her legs ready, and groaned as he entered her. She had missed that sensation so much; she had missed him so much. His hand grabbed at her breast, and squeezing it firmly, he groaned as he began to thrust. He was being so gentle, still afraid of hurting her, but it was wonderful, teasingly slow, and rhythmic, and she soon felt her orgasm building to a peak. She grabbed his firm, bum and urged him into her, her hips lifting to meet him.

  “Alex,” she moaned, breaking from his lips as a wave of pleasure swept through her, she was floating, and her eyes rolled as her body shuddered against him. His mouth on her throat, he sucked on her neck as he thrust a little harder.

  “Is it too much?” he groaned.

  “No, Alex,” she whispered breathless, as every nerve in her body tingled as he came. He shuddered against her, and fell onto her chest. She enveloped him in her arms and held him tight. God, she loved him so much.

  They got dressed and she fell into his arms as they lay on the picnic blanket.

  “Jane, there is something else,” he said, and he reached into the picnic basket and pulled out an A4 envelope.

  “Here,” he said, as he gave it to her. She looked at him, puzzled and opened the envelope. She pulled out the documents inside and read them.

  “Alex, what have you done?” she gasped. He smiled at her.

  “Jane, I started my company with a loan from the bank of £50,000, when I was twenty. I never took any from mum, as I wanted to do all by myself. My work was my life, but it is not anymore, you are. Mum said I had two choices, carry on the way I was, successful but miserable.” She gave a little laugh as she swept her hair back behind her shoulders.

  “Or fire you as my PA, make you my wife and spend the rest of my life with you. However, that was rather unfair, as that would mean, one, I had to hire another PA and two, I would never see you day in day out because I was always busy or going off at the weekend for meetings. Therefore, I decided on a third option, to sell the business so we could be together, all of the time, get married and…” he stopped and gave her another envelope. She opened it, and her mouth dropped open.

  “It would make a great honeymoon, what do you think?” he asked. She stared at the first class, around the world tickets, and when her heart started to beat, again she looked at him.

  “I think, Mr Alexander Hartley-Stone that is the best idea you have ever had.” He smiled, and pulled her into his arms. “Alex, these tickets are for two weeks, time,” she said, reading the date on them.

  “Yes, well,” he said, kissing her cheek. “I kind of got my mum and your mum to sort out our wedding for two weeks, time.” Her mouth dropped open.

  “What if I had said no,” she remarked with a playful hint of sarcasm.

  “I would have been devastated,” he said.

  “What about Jack and Michael have you told them?” she asked. He nodded.

  “Hey they have already brought their suits,” he chuckled. He looked at her, and his eyes clouded over. “Jane, when I held you in my arms and I thought you were going to die, my heart broke. My mum’s words after she had her heart attack made sense. Life is too short to fuck about.” Jane laughed, and lifted her hand to his cheek.

  “I love you so much, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, starting right now,” he said.

  “What about a baby?” she asked. They had touched on the subject when they were boss and PA, but she needed to find out how he truly felt.

  “Jane, I love you, and yes I would love to have a baby with you, but if you do not want too, that is fine too. So long as we are together that is all that matters.” She gazed into his green, sexy eyes and smiled.

  “Well, I think it is safe to say we could afford a baby sitter now and then, so we could still go out.”

  “Jane, if you wanted a nanny, you could have one,” he insisted. She shook her head.

  “Nah, kind of defeats the whole being a mum and dad thing, a baby sitter would be fine,” she replied.

  “I am quite sure my mother would be delighted to baby sit,” he said, with a smile.

  “Alex, thank you for being my prince and making my dreams come true,” she said.

  “No, Jane. Thank you for saving me from a life without love, and family. I love your boys so much, Jane. Over the last few weeks, they have been amazing, and we have gotten to know each well, and I will be proud to call them my step-sons. They have your heart Jane and they have your kindness, and your compassion. You did a good job of protecting them from him.” She wiped a tear from her eye.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, gazing up into his eyes.

  “They have taught me how precious a family is over the last few weeks, of how important it is, of what it means. I was afraid I would be like my father, but I am not, I realise that now. I am proud to say I am like my mother, as Jack and Michael are like you. If we do have a baby, he or she will be surrounded with love, and family,” he said, stopping to wipe the tears from his eyes. “Jane, I couldn’t live without you.”

  “Alex,” she said his name breathlessly and fell into his arms. “I never, ever want to be without you. When I was in hospital, I had a dream, and it was about your books.”

  “My books?” he asked, as he ran the back of his knuckles down her cheek.

  “Yes, I dreamt you published your children’s stories, and I had illustrated them.” For a moment, he looked at her.

  “Oh my god, what a brilliant idea,” he then said, “your art work is amazing, and it is just what my stories need.”

  “You think so?” she asked, with excitement in her voice.

  “Yes, I do. So how about it then, when we get back we give it ago.”

  “You would have to let me read them,
so I would know what images to paint.”

  “Yes, you can read them all, and if you like them, we will do it. It can be our new venture, and that way we can work at home, and be together. I will convert the barn, like you said, into an art studio for you, with an office next to it for me.”

  “Alex, that sounds wonderful, I can’t wait.”

  “I will get plans drawn before we leave, so it can be ready when we get back in a few months. We can take the manuscripts with us if you like, and you can read them while we are away. Oh another thing, in October half term I have booked the boys to come out and see us in Florida, your mum, Jeff and my mum too. I have booked a villa, is that okay? I thought you might be missing the boys by then.”

  “You are wonderful,” she said, and she hugged him tighter. “Where have you been all my life,” she said with a laugh.

  “Waiting for you to turn up,” he laughed back.

  “Well, I am here and I am staying for good,” she said, and she kissed him.

  Epilogue

  One year and two months later ~ Christmas

  “Oh my god, mum what are you doing in this one?” Michael laughed as he turned the photo sideways.

  “Give me that, Alex, those were the private photos,” she admonished. He sniggered, and stood up.

  “Right I am just going to grab a couple of things, erm, Jane, would you like to give me a hand, I am sure everyone is quite happy raking through our holiday snaps.”

  “Yes, dear, grab a bottle of wine or something, oh and some nibbles,” his mother called after them. “And check on the turkey.”

  “Yes, mum,” he yelled back.

  The staff had all gone home for Christmas and this was the first time the whole family had been together since Alex, and Jane’s wedding last year. Her mum and Jeff had sold their bar in Spain, and moved back to the UK, buying a tearoom in a nearby village. Alex and Jane had spent nine months travelling all over the world, and after receiving some unexpected good news, they had decided to come home and start on their new venture.

  Charged with attempted murder, her ex-husband, Sam received fifteen years in prison. However, six months into his sentence he committed suicide. The boys never went to the funeral, as far as they were concerned that day one year and two months ago, he ceased being their father. Two months ago, Jack and Michael had officially taken the Hartley-Stone name, and now looked at Alex as their step-father.

  Jane checked and basted the turkey, while Alex opened half a dozen bags of nibbles and put them into bowls.

  “Okay, are you ready for this?” he said. Jane nodded, hardly able to contain herself. He drew her into his arms and kissed her.

  “I love you, Mrs Hartley-Stone, always and forever,” he said, as he released her lips.

  “I love you too, Mr Hartley-Stone, always and forever,” she replied. He placed his hand onto her stomach.

  “And I promise that we will always make time for us, we shall still go out and have fun, and I will do as much as I can to help, okay. You are not alone this time.” She smiled at him.

  “Alex, I know you will, and this time it is different, this time I am with you,” she said, lifting her hand to his cheek and holding it there.

  “Oh god, I cannot wait to go shopping,” he said, and she laughed.

  “Me too,” she agreed. “Now shall we go and tell them,” she asked. He gave her an enthusiastic nod. Jane carried in the tray with the champagne glasses and Alex carried the bottle and the box.

  She settled the tray onto the coffee table and Alex coughed to get everyone’s attention.

  “Okay, family,” he said, gathering their attention and opening the bottle of champagne.

  “What’s that for?” Jane’s mother asked, as he poured them all a glass.

  “It is a double, erm no triple celebration,” he said, winking at Jane. Jane stifled a giggle.

  Alex opened the box, and took out a book. He turned it around to show the family.

  “Jane and I have started a new venture. This is the reason why we were hiding in the barn for the past few months, this is our first book, written by me and illustrated by Jane. The book launch is next week, and all of you are invited.” Alex’s mother clapped her hands.

  “Oh my goodness, you did it, after all those years of writing. Show me,” she begged, holding out her hands.

  “Don’t worry we have copies for everyone,” Jane said, as all hands became outstretched, waiting for a look.

  “Oh my goodness, John Marcaine actually published you!” his mother said.

  “I was hesitant at first in showing him the book, but in fairness to John, he does put business first, and well he loved it. He is the biggest UK publisher now, so we had to try the best first,” Alex said. “He has set up the book launch as well, and we already have thousands of pre-orders.”

  “Alex, Jane, that is brilliant,” his mother cheered.

  “Yes it is, but there is some other news, far more important,” he said, gathering their attention again as he drew his wife into his arms. His face glowed with happiness as he looked at each one of his extended family.

  “I am going to be a father, Jane is expecting.” His mother screamed with delight and jumped to her feet.

  “I am going to be a grandmother!” she cried. Alex nodded, and Jane wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “Mum, oh my god,” Michael said, standing to his feet.

  “Mum, Alex, that’s, bloody hell, that’s brilliant,” Jack cried. Her mother rose to her feet, and taking her daughter in her arms she hugged her tight.

  “Congratulations darling,” she said, and she kissed her cheek.

  “Congratulations,” Jeff said, giving her kiss and shaking Alex’s hand. Uncle Joe rose next and hugged them both, and Tom giggled.

  “Ah yes, well we have not quite finished,” he said. Everyone froze and looked at them.

  “It is twins,” Jane said, her heart pounding as she watched for her families reaction.

  “Holy cow,” Michael said, first.

  “Seriously?” Jack remarked.

  “Yes, seriously,” Jane replied.

  “How far are you?” her mother asked.

  “Five months,” she replied.

  “I thought you were getting fat, Mum, despite the baggy jumpers, but I was too polite to say anything, I assumed you’d hit the mince pies early,” Michael laughed.

  “Thanks, Michael,” she retorted, picking up a cushion from the chair and throwing it at him.

  “So do you all want to know, what they are?” Alex asked. Everyone looked at each other, and they turned to Jane and Alex and nodded.

  “A girl, and a boy,” he replied, his grin wider than the Cheshire cat, from Alice in Wonderland.

  “So that’s April,” her mother said, trying to hold onto her excitement.

  “Yes, April 17, to be precise,” Jane replied. “And we have chosen names, Elizabeth and Henry,” she announced, Henry after her own father, and Elizabeth, after his mum.

  “Mum, are you okay?” Alex asked, kneeling down at her feet as she sat herself back down into the armchair. She looked at him, and tears coursed down her cheeks. She took a breath and placed her hand on his cheek.

  “Son, you have made me very happy. Jane, thank you so much for coming into our lives. I love you both so very much,” she said. “I love all of you,” she said, turning to the rest of the family.

  “Elizabeth,” Jane said, her eyes filling with tears again. “I love you too,” she said, and she leaned down and gave her a hug.

  “This,” Michael said, “has to be the best Christmas present, ever.”

  “Here, here,” Jack said, patting his twin’s back.

  “Ah, speaking of presents,” Alex said, standing back up. “Shall we go into the drawing room and start un-wrapping.”

  “Yes,” Jack cried, “about bloody time,” and he shot off ahead of them all. Jane laughed.

  “Twenty-one and still a kid at Christmas,” she said.

  “And long may
it be so,” Alex replied, and he placed his arm around his wife. The doorbell rang.

  “Who the hell is that?” Alex asked.

  “It’s for me, stay there,” she said, pointing to the floor in front of his feet.

  “What, who is it?”

  “Never you, mind,” she hollered. She opened the front door and Maria gave her the box.

  “Thank you, happy Christmas,” Jane said, as she took it from her.

  “You too,” Maria said, giving her a smile. She walked back towards him carrying the wrapped box. Alex had done so much for her over the last year and a half. He had held her hand throughout Sam’s trial, keeping her strong and supporting her, and although she hated her ex-husband, she still cried when she found out he had killed himself, and Alex had been there to comfort her. He was a loving husband, a great step-dad to her sons, and he always put them before himself. She adored him and wanted to do something a little more personal than buying a gift for him for Christmas. He had been overwhelmed with joy when they found out she was expecting, and he had nearly died when they found out it was twins. He had already drawn up plans to convert part of the barn into a play area so they could still be together as a family while they worked, and he was itching to start on the nursery, but he had to wait until they had told the family the good news.

  “What is that?” he asked.

  “Your Christmas present,” she said, with a grin. “Come on,” she ushered, walking into the drawing room. Alex followed her with a puzzled grin.

  “Okay, everyone, wait. Can we let Alex, open his from me first, please,” she said. Everyone turned towards him.

  “Happy Christmas, darling,” she said, and she gave him the box. Alex set it on the floor and began to un-wrap it. He heard a noise, and Jane laughed as he glanced at her with a puzzled frown. As he opened the box, the look on his face filled her heart with joy.

  “Snugglebum the third,” he cheered, as he lifted out the tiny, fluffy black kitten.

  “Bloody hormones,” Jane said, wiping the tears from her eyes as she watched him nuzzle the kitten. “Oh, there is something else,” she said, and she turned around and picked up a large gift. He gave the kitten to his mother, who cuddled it to her face, and he began to un-wrap the gift. He stared at it, and his eyes wept as he looked at Jane, he would never love anyone as much as he loved her. It was a painting of him, in the armchair, cuddling Snugglebum the second and it was bloody brilliant.