by S M Mala
Still no movement from her beloved, which was a first given his recreational past time with her was in the bedroom. Running up to the landing, she tidied up Kayden’s bedroom before walking into her room.
Then she let out a disgruntled sigh.
With all the things that had happened in the past few days, she hadn’t time to think about packing a case for honeymoon. Bea still wasn’t sure if they were going.
Bea sat on the bed and checked all the appointments she had on Saturday to do her hair and nails, as well as various emails from friends.
It was just then she thought she saw something in the corner of her eye in the corridor, making her get up to turn sharply.
There was nothing there.
Her heart was racing.
She swore she felt her mother’s presence, wondering if that was a sign.
Could she be watching over her? Would there be some sort of guidance that was currently missing?
The overwhelming feeling was sorrow as she needed her mum to be by her side.
That’s all she desperately wanted.
But as she went to sit back down, there was a massive shooting pain through her backside and leg, making her stumble back onto the bed. Grimacing, she realised the pain killers were in the cabinet and limped all the way to the bathroom, shutting the door tightly. Still her heart was beating fast and she wasn’t sure if it was due to the surprise or fear of what she thought she had seen making her turn sharply.
As she swallowed the tablets there was a knock and Mylo walked in.
‘You were banging about. Is everything okay?’ he asked as she forced smile.
‘Hold me,’ Bea whispered, feeling startled that she felt her mother’s presence. ‘Just for a minute.’
He wrapped her in his arms, placing his cheek against hers as they both faced the mirror and she closed her eyes.
‘You’re shaking,’ Mylo said, kissing her cheek. ‘I didn’t upset you, did I?’
‘No.’ Bea felt his breath against her skin. ‘Right now, I need you to make it better.’
‘Look at me.’
Opening her eyes she saw Mylo staring. Her heart skipped a beat as it always did.
‘I think I’ve hurt my leg. I turned suddenly and I don’t know what happened.’ He put her hand on her left buttock as she flinched. ‘Yes, there.’
‘You’ve been fine for weeks.’
‘I’ve taken a couple of tablets. It’ll ease off soon.’
‘It’s stress, Bea. I know you don’t like me to say it but when you get upset or under pressure this flares up. I’ve noticed a pattern.’
‘You’re saying it’s in my head?’
‘I’m saying you’ve taken a lot on with me and this is your body telling you to relax.’
‘We’re getting married on Saturday! It’s Wednesday afternoon and I’ve done nothing to check that Saturday’s going to be fine.’
‘I’ve got it under control.’
‘Kayden is your priority, not the wedding. He’s more important.’ She faced him. ‘I want to marry you, I really do. We need to concentrate on the legal aspects of getting custody indefinitely. Aren’t you stressed?’
‘Immensely. Especially as everyone knows what I got up to since I was fifteen years old. I’ve got to give credit to your old man, he did his homework and he certainly has doubts about me.’
‘I’m sorry. I decided to have a thorough scan through the information.’ Bea smiled. ‘There were lots of serious girlfriends, weren’t there? And you chose me.’
‘Don’t listen to what River said.’ His face changed completely. ‘I’m not looking for a stupid woman. I’ve been looking for someone I love. And I found her. Found you. If Kayden heard what Bligh said about him, it would have broken his heart. Why didn’t he tell me?’
‘He told me and I acted on it as soon as I found out. If you had known it was Bligh, you wouldn’t have held it in. By focussing on River, it made it better all around. Cole’s child is not a nice kid. A real manipulator.’
‘Like his father.’
‘Didn’t you love him at all? Cole. Tell me.’
‘It was a relationship but different. Cole was there but Kayden was the real reason I stuck it out. I did fall in love, not with Cole but with my son. I probably carried on with the relationship a little bit longer than I should have because my real need was Kayden. And Cole could see it and maybe the boys felt it too.’
‘Come here.’
‘I love you,’ he said, kissing her lips, his face flushed pink. ‘We’re perfect together.’
‘Mainly because you’ve had a lot of practice in the sack,’ she whispered as he grinned. ‘But like I said, I’m not complaining if you want to show me some of your special tricks now.’
‘Mummy!’
Kayden shouted, running out through the front door and into her arms. ‘I missed you.’ He planted a big kiss on her cheek. ‘And I’m not supposed to tell you that daddy has planned a lovely evening!’
Smiling at the child and seeing his rosy cheeks, Bea hugged him as she walked into the house.
‘What have you been doing today other than getting a haircut?’ she asked, kissing his head and putting him down. ‘Preparing for tomorrow?’
‘I have a new suit and a new tie and new shoes,’ he said, looking eagerly up at her. ‘I am going to be the best looking boy at the wedding.’
‘Other than me.’ Mylo walked into the room from the kitchen. ‘But as he’s my kid, I’ll let him take centre stage.’
Her future husband was wearing jeans and a tight t-shirt, nothing else. His hair was dishevelled though he had just got it trimmed. Bea let out an appreciative sigh.
‘Are you tired?’ Kayden asked. ‘Is that why you’re yawning? It’s not even bed time.’
‘I like looking at your daddy.’
‘And he says he likes looking at your boobies and showed me a painting of them,’ he said, the brown innocent eyes staring at her before the cheeky grin started. ‘You have round blue boobies.’
‘Mylo,’ she said, seeing him mischievously glance at her. ‘You’re not supposed to show anyone that.’
‘He’s not anyone.’
‘He’s five,’ she said, watching Kayden raise his eyebrows up and down when he looked at her breasts. ‘And he’s all male.’
‘Kayden, can you tell Bea that you were simply looking at it because it’s a work of art.’ He then mumbled, ‘From yet another one of her admirers.’
‘I liked looking at your boobies!’ shouted Kayden, giggling as he ran up the stairs.
‘Where are you going?’ asked Mylo, starting to laugh.
‘To try on my new shoes!’
‘Like father like son,’ she said, walking towards him. ‘Kiss me. I have to try that bloody sari on again.’ Then Mylo pulled a sad face. ‘You don’t understand but you will when you see me in it. I expect you might even try and ditch me.’
‘That’s never going to happen.’
‘Twenty four hours is a long, long time.’
She stared at him and couldn’t help the little butterflies being released in her tummy. Mylo leaned forward and kissed her gently, slipping his tongue in as she lunged forward.
‘Bea?’ he said, pushing her away. ‘Five year old in the house.’
‘I said that months ago and that didn’t stop you.’
‘And we have to keep you virginal for at least one day before the wedding.’
‘I’m practically virginal compared to you. I’ve only done it with five men in my life.’
‘Five?’ Mylo started to grin. ‘Are you telling the truth?’
‘Are you asking because it’s such a dismal amount?’
‘I’m asking because I’m sure you could have had more.’
‘I’d imagine them meeting my daddy and that’s enough to shrivel anyone’s libido, including mine.’
Bea strolled towards the couch, realising her leg was hurting again. She felt his arms wrap around from behind as he kissed her ne
ck.
‘We need to talk about a few things,’ he said turning her around to look at her. ‘About the honeymoon.’
‘Don’t worry! We can go away another time.’
‘You know your daddy is paying for it.’
‘Really? Do you think he wants us to refund the money?’
‘I called him this morning and asked the same thing. He was adamant that he paid.’
‘Why did you call him?’
‘Because I wanted to know if we could take an extra guest when we go away.’ Mylo started to look anxious. ‘I know it’s not perfect but-.’
‘It’s perfect.’
‘We won’t get a lot of chance to be together.’
‘Listen, I suggested it and I’m not upset,’ she replied, stroking his face. ‘Where are we going with a five year old?’ Bea then thought for a moment. ‘Are we allowed to take him out of the country? Have you heard from Cole or his lawyers?’
‘Yes we can take him. And yes, I have heard from his lawyers but I have joint custody. There’s nothing he can do.’
She noticed a little pair of legs at the top of the stairs and realised Kayden was listening.
‘Do you think he’ll fit in the suitcase?’ she said quite loudly.
‘I don’t want to go in the suitcase!’ he said, stomping down the stairs in his new shoes. ‘I can have a seat. Where are we going? Is there a beach? I like swimming.’
‘It’s a surprise,’ Mylo replied, still looking at Bea. ‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m doubly sure.’ Then she thought. ‘I haven’t packed. Oh Mylo! I need to sort my clothes out.’
‘We’ve got all day.’
‘When do we fly out?’
‘Sunday.’
‘Men!’ she huffed and hobbled past Kayden. ‘I really have a lot to do!’
‘Shit!’
Kayden and Bea looked at each other when they heard the rip.
She had put on the sari in hope it would look better.
Bea never got it so wrong.
The poor child couldn’t stop laughing as he thought she was wearing a ghost costume as they ran around the bedroom playing.
‘Um you swore,’ he said, looking guiltily at her. ‘You have a hole in your curtain.’
‘Where?’ Bea turned to see that the side of the top part of the sari had split through the silk. ‘Oh no.’
‘Are you going to get in trouble?’
Looking at her half packed suitcase and seeing it was nearly five o’clock, things were looking grim. She didn’t know what to do so sat on the bed and thought hard.
‘I could stitch it up,’ she mumbled. Kayden’s frown said it all. ‘I’m sure it’ll be fine.’
‘Shall we use sticky tape? That works on my paper planes.’
On closer inspection Bea realised it was a lot worse than she thought. Quickly flinging the drawers open, she looked for something white to replace it. Her options were a strapless bra, an ugly boob tube or a white vest. Plus there was her white sports top.
‘Hello! Is everything okay in there?’ Mylo asked, knocking at the door, which made Bea jump to her feet.
There was another loud rip.
‘Of for f-.’ She stopped, seeing Kayden laugh behind his hand.
‘Daddy, she keeps swearing because she ripped her sheet.’
‘Don’t tell him that,’ she said, seeing it was a bad omen.
Or good, depending how you viewed the sari.
‘Have you torn your wedding dress?’ asked Mylo sounding anxious. ‘How?’
‘Playing ghosts,’ added Kayden, opening the door. She had to fling herself behind the bed so Mylo couldn’t see. ‘It was really funny.’
‘Don’t come in!’ she shouted, wrapping the copious amount of material around her body. ‘You can’t see the dress until tomorrow.’
‘Hey dude, go downstairs and watch some television,’ Mylo replied looking at his son.
‘She said the ‘S’ word,’ he sniggered, running off.
‘Is this you trying to sabotage the wedding?’ asked Mylo, stepping closer as she peeked at him over the bed. ‘How bad is it?’
‘Bad.’
‘Can it be fixed?’
‘People are really going to think I’m marrying you for your money, not your fit body.’ She let out a long disgruntled sigh. ‘I can’t fix it! What am I going to wear?’
‘Let me see.’ He stepped closer. ‘If it’s ruined you can’t wear it and we’ll find something else.’
‘Before three thirty tomorrow afternoon? I don’t think so!’ Slowly she got to her feet. ‘You can laugh. Kayden did as well as your mother.’ He looked at her straight in the eye as she walked around the bed. ‘Go on.’
‘Oh dear,’ was all he said, a big grin slapped across his face. ‘That’s just, well, it leaves me speechless.’
Then his laugh began.
‘Mum was certainly right about the curtains!’ he hollered. ‘Jesus, how much netting did they use? I’ve been to curtain retailers and I’ve never seen so much material before. What did he do? But it cheap on wholesale!’
She stood there and took in his amusement.
‘Laugh away,’ she sighed, looking down at the two large rips. ‘Thing is, I might as well get married in a sheet. Hey, I could even borrow daddy’s Hari Krishna costume.’
That seemed to tip him over the edge.
Her phone was starting to ring.
‘And talk of the devil,’ she sighed. ‘Hello daddy. Can I borrow-.’
‘Bea! Bea! Help me!’ Bernie screeched. ‘I’m having a heart attack!’
‘Daddy!’
She ran into the house to see where he was and got the shock of her life.
He was sitting on the couch, looking breathless, clasping his chest.
And he was also looking rather odd.
Bernie was wearing a dress, and high heel shoes were dangling off his feet.
Even more outrageous was that he had make-up on and looked like Auntie Babs.
‘Daddy?’ she said, not wanting to ask what he was doing because she could see he was in pain. ‘Did you call the ambulance?’
‘Yes, yes but help me out of this before they come.’ Then he looked at her. ‘Why are you wearing your wedding dress?’
‘Why are you wearing a dress?’
‘Beatrice, just please help me, please!’
Quickly she took off his dress and wanted to laugh. He had pushed socks into an old bra that must have belonged to her mother, which he had put over his sensible vest.
The siren of the ambulance could be heard in the background and she threw everything to the side of the couch before rushing to the door.
‘He’s in here!’ she shouted and let the two women in. ‘Is he going to be all right? He thinks he’s having a heart attack.’
Her heart was racing and she wasn’t quite sure what was going on as the paramedics rushed to his assistance. All Bea could do was watch and wait with the fear that he was going to die, all the time looking at the pile of women’s clothing to the side.
Then she heard a massive burp.
‘Take deep breaths,’ she heard one woman say while she stepped closer.
‘What happened?’ Bea asked, looking down at her father and realised he still had the orange pearl lipstick on, with matching rouge cheeks. ‘Is he having a heart attack?’
‘He had indigestion and was suffering from a panic attack,’ one paramedic replied as Bea watched her father take slow breaths through an oxygen mask. ‘Sometimes people think it’s the sign of a heart attack.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, pulling the mask away from his face. ‘I’ve wasted your time.’
‘Not at all,’ the other woman replied, with a wry smile. ‘But I think we might have smudged your lipstick.’
‘It might have been the chicken shawarma I had at lunchtime. I told him not to put too much garlic sauce as it reacts with me.’ He sat up, taking the mask off. ‘I feel better.’
All the while Bea st
ared at her father.
‘You can go now,’ he said, looking nervously at her. ‘I know you’re busy.’
She shook her head slowly from side to side knowing he had some explaining to do.
‘It’s okay daddy, I’ll stay and make sure you’re fine,’ she replied, starting to smile. ‘And you can tell me what you’ve been up to, can’t you?’
‘It’s not what you think.’
He waited for the women to leave before getting up and stretching his legs while holding onto his heart. ‘And I don’t want to discuss it.’
‘You dress up in women’s clothing. I don’t know what’s worse. That or you wearing a big nappy and dancing down the High Road.’ Then she shook her head. ‘I do.’ He looked sharply at her. ‘You are such a judgemental so and so but this has been happening for how long?’
‘I’m not a homosexual, you know!’
‘Did I say?’
‘Not like Mylo.’
‘Mylo had a relationship with a man. Whether he’s gay, straight or bisexual is not important. He loves me and l love him. And when we get intimate, he doesn’t wear a bra padded with old sport socks.’ She burst out laughing. ‘You really are a man of many faces but a lady one was the last thing I’d have ever expected. Has this gone on for long?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘You know, I’m not going to let this rest.’ Bea then slapped her forehead. ‘Bertha is always going on about you dressing up in your mother’s clothing. You’re not like that bloke from ‘Psycho’ are you?’
‘Beatrice, I don’t think you’re being funny and you better not say anything to anyone.’ He went bright red. ‘It’s something I do in the privacy of my own home.’
‘And I hope you do keep it private. Your make-up is shocking!’ Then she stopped laughing. ‘Did mummy know you did this?’
‘She encouraged me!’
‘Mummy did?’
‘It’s not to be discussed. If I hadn’t had that shawarma at lunch you would be none the wiser.’
‘Daddy?’ she asked, holding her sari in her hands and walking towards him. ‘Why’d you do it?’