“Where the hell are you, I’ve been going out of my bloody mind here woman.” He snapped at me.
“I’m fine, thanks for asking. I came shopping with Robyn. I am allowed a life outside of your apartment you know.” Robyn raised her eyebrows at me. I knew I was poking at a viper’s nest by taunting him but I couldn’t help myself sometimes.
“It’s our apartment and no you don’t have to stay in these walls, but a phone call or text would be appreciated.” He was not a happy bunny. This didn’t bode well for me today.
“I’m sorry. I should have rung you. It was thoughtless of me. I won’t do it again.” I said by way of an apology and hoping to soften his mood before I got home.
“Fine. When will you be home? Or am I to guess that too?” He was so pissed I was kinda dreading going home now, but I couldn’t put it off.
“I’m coming home now. Should be there in about thirty minutes.” I said meekly.
“Good.” He grunted and hung up the phone.
“Shit, I think I chose the wrong day to get a tattoo, he’s really pissed off.”
I threw my phone back into my bag as Robyn put her arm through mine and led me out towards the direction of her car.
“Could be worse chick. Maybe you can hide it from him till tomorrow, you know if you keep your underwear on tonight.”
I burst out laughing. “That would be harder than telling him the truth. You think I can keep it hidden from him, not a chance and I won’t go into graphic detail about our nocturnal activities, but keeping this under wraps aint happening.”
“Oh I know, I just thought I’d play with you.” She teased.
Half an hour later I was slinking nervously through the door, keeping my head down like a naughty school girl. Joe was standing in the middle of the living room in his jeans and a black t-shirt, his hands in his pockets looking utterly gorgeous. His stubbled square jaw clenched closed in anger and an air of hostility drifting around him. I didn’t need to look up to know he was glaring at me. I walked with my head down and stopped behind the couch.
“Sorry.” I mumbled.
“Jesus Christ Ella, you don’t have to come in sulking like a teenager. Just keep me updated on what’s happening that’s all I ask.”
I lifted my gaze and glanced at him over my eye lashes. He did look worried and I suddenly felt guilty, especially with everything that was going on right now.
“I’m sorry I was selfish and I didn’t think.”
He walked around the couch to me, “I know all this is stifling for you, I get it angel. Please just don’t go out again without me knowing where you are.”
I gave a sad smile and nodded as he grabbed my hips to pull me into him. The pain of him grabbing my tattoo had me squealing in pain.
“What the fuck!” He took his hands away immediately looking at me like I was about to shatter into a million pieces in front of him. “What’s happened to you? Did someone hurt you?”
“Not exactly.” I grimaced. It was now or never and I was bracing myself for hurricane Joe.
I pulled the skirt of my dress up slowly, but he soon took over bending down to see the plaster covering the offending tattoo, a plaster my underwear couldn’t even cover, which had him groaning and covering his eyes.
“What have you done?” I started regretting my decision already. “Please tell me you didn’t.” He begged looking up at me then pulled at the plaster to uncover what he’d already guessed was underneath.
“For God’s sake Ella, why? You can’t just get rid of this you know.” He looked so disappointed I felt the naughty school girl rise to the surface again.
“You’ve got my name on you, why can’t I have your name on me?” I crossed my arms in a sulky manner and bit my lip.
“I already had tattoos anyway, and I did that when I was out of my mind missing you.”
“So you regret having my name on you?”
“No, of course not I’m not saying that.”
“What then?”
“Ella, I love having your name on me, it makes me smile every time I see it in the mirror, but you…your skin is perfect, flawless. I didn’t want you putting anything on you. I thought you knew that.” I felt terrible.
“I kinda remembered when it was too late.” I winced. “I wanted to put your name on me, why is that so bad?”
“Look, there’s no point in us arguing about this, it’s done and unless I get you booked in for laser treatment to remove it, it’s not going anywhere. Please just leave it at that, no tattooed knuckles or anything else drastic.”
I made a low laugh and decided to give him my reason for having it on my hip as the final word.
“Hey at least I’ll always have you in my underwear right?”
He threw his head back laughing at that.
“Ella, you really know how to keep me on my toes don’t you. You do know you’re going to be on all fours with me taking you from behind for the foreseeable future whilst that heals? You won’t want anything touching or rubbing against it.”
“Oh…I hadn’t thought of that.” I said brooding and then huffed. “I’m sorry, I’m so stupid.”
“No you’re not stupid Ella, sweet and a little bit crazy insane at times but never stupid.”
He covered my ink over and pulled my underwear carefully back over it, then he stood up and cuddled me, kissing my forehead as he did.
“Well you’re fully branded now sweetheart. I love that I’m always in your knickers Ella, at least I know no one else will be.”
“As if anyone else ever would be!”
36
I opened my eyes on Sunday morning and an overwhelming wave of nausea overtook my body making me dart out of bed and into the bathroom in record time. I only just made it to the toilet before I threw up, how glamourous!
Joe came running into me asking if I was okay. I just shook my head and slumped on the bathroom floor.
“It’s probably the after effects of the tattoo.” I said.
Joe laughed, “A tattoo doesn’t make you sick like that Ella. Have you eaten something dodgy?”
“Probably.” I crawled back to the bed not even having the energy to brush my teeth, and hid under the covers.
“You stay in bed, get some rest until you feel better.” He said stroking my hair.
“I don’t have much choice, I feel terrible.” I replied feeling very sorry for myself and closed my eyes to try and will the sickie feeling away.
Joe was really attentive all day, checking in on me and bringing me drinks and biscuits to nibble on when I started to feel up to light food. By early evening I was feeling a lot better and managed a shower to freshen up, before joining Joe in the living area and eating a good portion of lasagne.
Monday morning and there I was again, running for the bathroom to empty the contents of my stomach. That horrible nausea making me feel wretched again, just the same as the day before.
Joe walked in this time, no running, and leaned up against the door frame.
“I’m dying.” I groaned as I lay my head on my hands that were gripping the toilet for dear life. Such a classy look…not.
“You’re pregnant aren’t you?” He said and a slight smile came and then disappeared.
“No! It’s a bug, I’m sure of it.” I wasn’t.
“A bug that only strikes in the morning, doesn’t sound like any bug I’ve ever heard of.”
He knelt down next to me as I moaned in protest at the crappy nausea that was swirling around my body.
“Could you be pregnant Ella?” He pressed.
I shrugged, “Maybe.” I didn’t want to face that prospect, it had to be a bug, I’d been really good at remembering my pills. Apart from a few times when I was staying over and I forgot, but it can’t have made that much difference surely? God I was the clumsiest most scatter brained person I knew.
“I’m going to get a test now, I want to know.” He said standing up, then knelt down again, “are you going to be okay if I pop out? Do you nee
d me?”
“No, you go. I’m just going to stay here and die.” I moaned.
He had the audacity to laugh at me. I was not impressed and my evil glare told him as much. It didn’t stop him getting dressed in record time though whistling cheerfully as he did, and then heading off on his errand. I just sat on the floor of the bathroom, scared to move to the bedroom in case the sickness overtook me again.
Twenty minutes later I heard the front door close and Joe stalked into the bathroom looking like it was Christmas morning. He proceeded to open up the paper bag he had brought in with him, which contained not one, or two but five pregnancy testing kits, all different brands.
“You only need one to find out you know.” I said sarcastically, not enjoying this morning’s activity half as much as he was.
“One might be a dud, I thought it best to get a few, you know best of five.”
“It’s not a bet, they are all pretty accurate even the cheap ones.”
I stood up and grabbed the first box from beside the sink, ripped open the box and tore off the plastic holding the plastic stick.
“Aren’t you going to read the instructions?” He asked perplexed.
“I’m pretty sure they’re all the same. Pee on stick, wait a few minutes and voila, your life could change forever.” I didn’t know whether I was ready for the last part.
“Okay let’s do it then.” He started opening box after box and tearing the plastic, lining up the sticks for me.
“You are joking? You seriously want me to do all of them?”
“May as well, that’s what I brought them for.”
I huffed and figured he wasn’t gonna give me any privacy. “Are you staying to watch me pee?” I thought it was worth a try to get some privacy but my original thought was right, he was going nowhere.
So that’s what I did on a rainy Monday morning, I peed on five plastic sticks in front of my boyfriend who was watching like I was carrying out some kind of intense scientific experiment, and then we waited.
“Has it been five minutes yet?” Joe asked after about one minute.
“No, and don’t peek.”
I sat on the floor still feeling like death and Joe sat down next to me.
“How will you feel if it’s positive?” He asked cautiously.
“Honestly? I don’t really know. Scared, after last time but I know I can’t let what happened before worry me.”
I sighed and turned to look at him. I didn’t need to ask how he would feel it was written all over his face. He was way too excited. I flicked through the leaflets whilst we waited to take my mind off the mixture of feelings floating through my brain.
Finally I took a deep breath and stood up, “That’s our five minutes.” I couldn’t bring myself to turn round but Joe couldn’t wait, he peered over my shoulder at the sticks lined up and I tried to read his face as he did.
“So no line means not pregnant?” He looked sideways at me, I still couldn’t turn to look and I definitely couldn’t tell what he saw from his expression.
“Yes, and the last three I did its one line not pregnant, two lines for pregnant, why are there no lines.”
I held my breath as he looked again. Then he picked them up to show me.
“There are a lot of lines baby.” He held them out in front of me and I started shaking. I took them into my hands not quite believing what I saw. I looked back up at his goofy face all smiley and smug.
“I can’t believe my baby is having my baby.” He grinned, and in that moment a burst of happiness erupted inside me. Seeing him so proud and excited was infectious. I felt like I’d finally done something right.
“Is that ok with you?” I gave a hesitant smile and he grabbed me into a hug and swung me around.
“Are you kidding this is the best news I’ve ever had. I can’t believe it…You make me so happy Ella.” I knew what was coming next. “Can I tell anyone yet?”
“No, not yet. You need to promise me Joe. No telling anyone okay.”
He nodded but I didn’t believe him for a second. I knew it would be spread around everyone he knew by lunchtime. I couldn’t chastise him though, not when he looked so cute and happy. I liked that I was reason for that look. I just hoped all our problems were behind us now. We deserved some luck and after the last few months this had to be plain sailing, right?
I rang in sick at work that morning, the nausea was so over powering I couldn’t have sat at my desk and been productive. In fact I couldn’t have sat at my desk at all, all I could do was lie down and moan or run to the toilet. Anything else was a definite no no.
Tuesday morning came and it was the same routine, so I begrudgingly rang in sick again.
“I can’t keep ringing in sick, this could go on for months.” I was fed up already and I hadn’t even started with the swollen ankles, fat belly and everything else I had to look forward to in the next nine months.
“Give up work then.” It was always so simple for Joe, but I liked having my own job and money.
I told him as much, but he just pointed out that I already had a credit card to use and he’d gladly transfer money into my account or have my name put onto his. He had an answer for everything but I was going to stick my heels in on this one.
By the fourth day of ringing in sick I decided that maybe a hiatus from work might be a good idea. It wasn’t fair to expect them to wait for me, and let the rest of the staff take on my extra work load. Plus I was starting to worry about the affects the stress of working would have on the baby. I knew women all over the world managed to work and have babies every day, but I wasn’t thinking straight at all. If I had my way I’d probably spend the next nine months lying in bed to make sure nothing bad happened. It’s funny how one minute the idea of being pregnant can be disastrous and the next you wrap yourself in cotton wool and talk to your stomach twenty four seven giving it the nickname belly bean.
So on day five I rang to chat to Frank and told him what was going on, why I felt that taking time out would be better for them and me, and after trying to talk me out of it, he agreed to let me go. He told me my job would always be open for when I wanted to come back, but I think we both knew I wouldn’t. I asked if I could pop in one of the days the following week to say goodbye to everyone and clear away a few things. He said he could do better than that and asked if I would mind if he put on a little ‘going away’ party for me. Nothing too extravagant just some lunch and a few gifts to say thank you. How could I say no? I had loved my time at Parker Hayes and would miss seeing everyone even Kim and her meddling. We agreed on the following Monday and I hung up, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
37
Why did I have butterflies? What was so scary about going into my place of work and saying ‘goodbye for now’ to all of them? I had no idea but my tummy was whirling like a washing machine and it had nothing to do with the raging hormones and morning sickness I’d had earlier. Even my hands were slightly shaky as I opened the car door and made my way round to the entrance of the office. Sam, Joe’s head of security, was my minder for the day. I didn’t know if head of security was his official title, seemed to me general dogsbody would have suited him better. He was always running some sort of strange errand and today was no exception.
I fired a text off to Chris to let him know I’d arrived. I figured a familiar friendly face would put my nerves to bed, so I asked him to come and meet me by the lifts. As soon as I saw his cheeky face I relaxed instantly and he smothered me in a huge hug, the smell of him and his after shave made me feel at home.
“Babe, I’ve missed you so much, how you feeling?” His face was full of concern, he was the sweetest friend ever.
“I’m okay just really nervous to come in today and see everyone. Does anyone else know why I’m taking a break?”
I’d told Chris and Ed about my pregnancy at the same time I’d told Robyn. They were like family to me and I had to let them know what was going on. However, apart from Frank and
Eric no one else knew the reasons why I was leaving.
“I think everyone’s just assumed your mega rich fiancé is keeping you at home all to himself and in the manner to which you’ve become accustomed.” He teased, “Plus it’s none of their business anyway.”
I agreed, but I knew it wouldn’t stop them gossiping.
We pushed our way through the doors into reception where Kim jumped up from behind her desk and threw herself at me kissing my cheek and squeezing me tight.
“We’ve missed you Ella, it’s dead boring around here without you.” She groaned.
“Thanks a lot Hun!” Chris snipped back at her.
“I’ve missed you too Kimbo, any gossip I’ve missed out on?”
“Only that some new guy started in accounts last week and he is hot as hell. Apart from that it’s the same old same old. Colin is a dweeb, Chris is in love and I’m forever hopeful.” She smiled and caught sight of the man mountain behind me then blushed.
“Kim this is Sam, he’s a friend of Joe’s who wanted to come along with me today. I think he’s looking for a hot single receptionist.” I whispered so he wouldn’t over hear. “Sam this is Kim, she’s adorable isn’t she.”
He almost let his guard slip but he was a tricky one to read, so he completely ignored my sly effort to try and get him to open up and show he was somewhat human. Instead, he put his hand out to shake Kim’s and from the colour of her cheeks I knew she was affected just from a hand shake.
“Wow are those muscles real?” She said sounding completely daft and using the opportunity to stroke along his arms.
“Of course they’re real Kim, what you think he wears padded clothes?” Chris rolled his eyes at her then hooked his arm through mine.
“Come on chick let’s get you a cuppa and a slice of cake before the greedy gang in there scoff the lot.”
“Cake yes, cuppa no. I’m completely off tea and coffee. Just the thought of it makes me want to throw up” It felt good to be able to admit that this time. Then I remembered Kim was with us. I panicked and turned round ready to come up with some crazy explanation as to why tea and coffee was a no go, but I needn’t have bothered, she was too engrossed in eyeing up Sam to hear what I’d said.
Forever Yours Page 19