Watching her sister expertly manoeuvre between the tables, heading back to the reception area inside the café, Lisa managed to let go of the underlying anxiety that this might not have been a good idea. Abby had managed the travelling with ease and she was revelling in everything they had packed into this short getaway already. It had been such an amazing prize that had not only included a luxury hotel in Nice but a chauffeur-driven car for any sightseeing they had wanted to do.
Relaxing for a few minutes as she waited for Abby to return wasn’t difficult. It was even warmer than it had been the last time Lisa had been here so the soft breeze drifting over the canopy of the forest beneath the café was more than welcome. The shade from the grapevine running rampant over the pergola was just as welcome and the play of shadows from the sunlight finding gaps in the leaves was delightful. It would make it harder to see when Abby was coming back, although Lisa could see a waiter standing beside the bar, putting a bottle into an ice bucket. Their champagne? She hoped that Abby would return in time to see it being opened because that pop of the cork was all part of the magic, wasn’t it?
Or it had been the last time.
The first time.
From the corner of her eye, Lisa could see the waiter approaching the table now. He had a white cloth over his arm, the bottle in the bucket in one hand and two fluted glasses in the other. It was impossible not to drift back in time. To remember what it was like when those thousands of tiny bubbles exploded in her mouth and then evaporated into delicious iciness. To remember opening her eyes to find Hugh staring at her with an intensity that had taken her breath away all over again.
The same way he’d looked at her when they had been making love...
She could even hear an echo of his voice—‘I knew you’d look like that’—with that note of happiness because she’d been so happy.
Oh, help...
She wasn’t going to cry, Lisa told herself firmly. She wasn’t going to let anything spoil this for Abby. But where was Abby? She was taking such a long time—maybe she did need some help after all. Lisa had to peer past the waiter to try and see if Abby had appeared again yet.
‘Don’t worry, she’s fine.’
Lisa’s jaw dropped in total disbelief as she recognised the voice of the waiter and looked up.
Hugh’s smile was reassuring but the cork shot from the bottle with a sound like gunfire that made Lisa jump. He caught the escaping foam in one of the glasses.
‘It was all part of the plan.’ Hugh’s smile had disappeared as he slid into the seat on the other side of this small wrought-iron table.
‘I’ve been a complete idiot,’ he said quietly. ‘Do you think you could ever forgive me?’
* * *
This was overwhelming. Lisa suspected she might look like a stone statue because that was how she was feeling. There were just too many feelings that were too powerful.
How much manipulation had gone on to entice her here for what had clearly been a set-up? For someone who’d kept such tight control of everything in her life, including herself—in order to keep Abby and herself safe—the idea that she had fallen for it was somehow shameful.
Knowing that her beloved sister had been in on it and had kept the secret so well was so surprising it was hurtful.
The fact that it was happening here, in what she herself had described as the most romantic place on earth, had the potential to take the magic away and make it simply a stage set and not real at all.
But running beneath that horrible mix of impressions that made her want to get to her feet and run was something else. A bright, shiny thread of what felt like hope. That something precious was about to be offered to her and all she had to do was to be brave enough to accept the gift.
Finally, she found her voice. ‘Um...whose idea was this?’
‘Abby’s,’ Hugh admitted. ‘Although I have to say I thought it was brilliant and you know why?’
‘Why?’ There were plenty more questions to ask about how and why Abby had been colluding with Hugh but they could wait. There was something far more compelling about the expression in those brown eyes Lisa loved so much. Whatever he was about to say was so important he wasn’t going to let her look away.
‘Because this was where you had your first taste of champagne. Where I saw that joy of it in your face. And maybe I didn’t realise it at the time—okay, I probably would have run a mile if I had realised it—but I think that was the moment I started to fall in love with you, Lisa.’
Oh, yes...that shiny thread of hope was glowing now. Shining so brightly that it was casting a shadow over everything else.
‘I told Abby how much I was in love with you. That I want to see that kind of happiness in your face as often as possible for the rest of your life and that I want to be able to do whatever I can to create that happiness for you.’ Hugh’s voice cracked a little. ‘And you know what she said?’
Lisa shook her head. She couldn’t get any words past the lump in her throat.
‘She said that she wants exactly the same thing. We’re friends for life now, your sister and me.’
‘Oh...’ There was no stopping the tears that were determined to escape.
‘She told me about what happened,’ Hugh said gently. ‘That you’ve always been so determined to look after her and keep her safe. That you’ve held onto guilt for something that wasn’t your fault.’
‘But it was,’ Lisa whispered. ‘It was...’ She swallowed hard. Maybe he didn’t know the whole truth—the worst thing about her. ‘There was a doll. In the toy shop window. A really beautiful doll with curly yellow hair and I was standing there, wishing with all my heart that I had hair like that and that I could take that doll home with me... That was when it happened. I let go of Abby’s hand.’
‘You didn’t let go, sweetheart,’ Hugh said softly. ‘Abby pulled because she wanted to run. She took you by surprise. You were only a little girl yourself and you should never have been given that responsibility in the first place. You’ve always had too much responsibility and you’ve taken that on with a grace and determination that’s amazing. But don’t you think it’s about time to forgive little Lisa? To stop denying her the good things in life because you decided so long ago that maybe she didn’t deserve them?’
Lisa blinked as her tears evaporated. How on earth could Hugh know those things about her when she’d only fleetingly given them any head space?
‘You’re allowed to want things just for yourself,’ Hugh added. There was a twinkle in his eyes now. ‘The things that make you feel good. Or to feel loved.’ He picked up the bottle and began to pour a glass but when he held it out towards her, he paused, looking at her over the rim—like the way he had when she’d taken her first ever sip. ‘Things like champagne,’ he said. His fingers brushed hers as she accepted the glass and his words were a whisper that only she could hear. ‘Or making love...’
Oh...my... Surely everybody in this café could see the glow that was about to reach Lisa’s cheeks. But happiness like this was such a fragile thing, wasn’t it? Irresistible but terrifying at the same time.
‘I know.’ Hugh was smiling at her. ‘It’s scary, isn’t it? That was why I was such an idiot. I used my memories of the disaster that was almost my first marriage as a kind of shield to make sure I never took that kind of risk again. I took that shield out and polished it up when I realised I was getting in too deep with you. I was scared, too. I thought I’d get over missing you after you left but you know what?’
Lisa could feel her lips curling into a smile. ‘What?’
‘I just missed you more every single day. Until I finally realised that I had to trust my instincts. To trust you. As much as you were trusting me when you said you loved me. I’m sorry I got that so wrong... I wasn’t ready, that’s all...’
Lisa nodded. She could understand that. She could understand how hard it was t
o trust.
‘I’ve never believed that the things I wanted just for myself were safe,’ she told Hugh, her voice wobbling. ‘They were just distractions and that made them dangerous.’
‘I blame that doll,’ Hugh said. ‘With the stupid yellow hair.’ His tone changed to something far more serious. ‘You’ll always be safe with me,’ he said, ‘if that’s one of the things you want.’ He drew in a deep breath. ‘I love you, Lisa. Can you trust that? Can you trust me? Take that leap of faith?’
It was Lisa’s turn to draw in a new breath. ‘Could you hold my hand? So we could jump together?’
Hugh took both her hands in his. ‘Always,’ he murmured.
For the longest moment, they soaked in that connection. There would be time for the kind of intimate physical connection they knew would come later but the skin on skin of their entwined fingers was all they needed for this moment. The gaze on gaze of their eye contact was so deep it was a connection that felt like their souls were touching.
Nobody interrupted them but they were, after all, in the most romantic place on earth so perhaps a couple who were totally lost in each other’s eyes was only to be expected. It had to stop eventually, of course, because a celebration was called for. Hugh filled the second flute with champagne. And then he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and took out a third glass. He turned his head before he began to fill it, nodding towards the reception area of the café. Seconds later, Abby was rolling towards their table with the happiest smile Lisa had ever seen on her face.
‘So you did it?’ she asked Hugh. ‘You proposed?’
‘Oh, no...’ Hugh handed Abby a glass of champagne. ‘I forgot about that bit.’
Abby put her glass down. ‘No champagne allowed then. Get on with it.’
Lisa laughed. ‘Abby—you can’t say that.’
Abby scowled. ‘But it was part of the plan.’
‘It was,’ Hugh agreed. ‘And I had it all planned—apart from the ring because I’d want you to choose exactly what you want. But I just missed the perfect opportunity, didn’t I?’ He arched an eyebrow at Abby. ‘A private opportunity.’
‘It’s not too late,’ Abby said. ‘Don’t mind me. I want to read the menu again anyway.’
Lisa was still smiling. ‘You don’t have to do what she says.’
But Hugh had caught her gaze again and her smile faded. ‘We never said a proper goodbye, did we? That last day of the cruise?’
‘No...’ It wasn’t something Lisa really wanted to remember. It was a bit shocking, in fact, to have a reminder of how broken-hearted she’d felt, walking away from Hugh.
‘There was a good reason for that, even if neither of us knew it at the time.’ Hugh was still holding her gaze. He’d taken hold of her hand again as well. ‘I never want to say a “proper” goodbye to you, Lisa Phillips. I want you to be in my life for every day I’m lucky enough to get. Will you marry me?’
Oh... Lisa was so ready to take that leap. Straight off the edge of that cliff, and she could do it without hesitation because Hugh was holding her hand. And she knew he would always be there to hold her hand.
‘Yes,’ she said softly.
‘What was that?’ Abby raised her head from the menu. ‘I didn’t quite hear it.’
‘Yes,’ Lisa said, more loudly. She was laughing again. So was Hugh. ‘Yes, yes, yes...’
EPILOGUE
Two years later...
IT WAS NEVER going to get old, hearing the pop of a champagne cork. Not that they did it all that often but it always made Lisa smile. Perhaps that was because there was always that moment when she would catch her husband’s gaze and know that they were both remembering that first time.
And celebrating their engagement, and later on their wedding, all in the same place, on the terrace of that magical café in the South of France. It was one of those private moments when so much could be said with nothing more than a fleeting, shared glance. It was fleeting, because they were here for something—and someone—other than themselves.
‘Happy house-warming, Abby.’
‘Thanks, Lise. I can’t believe I’m here. That I actually have this incredibly cool apartment that’s been custom built just to make life easier for me. And it’s all thanks to you.’ She raised her glass but then grinned. ‘Oh... I almost forgot. You’re not even going to have a taste, then?’
Lisa shook her head, her hand protectively smoothing the roundness of her belly. As if acknowledging the touch, her baby kicked against the palm of her hand.
Abby touched Hugh’s glass with her own instead. ‘It’s thanks to you, too, bro. If you hadn’t given me the heads-up that my dream job was coming up at your hospital, I wouldn’t have thought about moving at all.’
‘You’re going to love it at St John’s Hospital. I’m coming up to a year in the emergency department there and I’m still loving it.’
‘Hey, it’s a specialist hand therapist position in a team that’s so good, people come from all over the country to get their surgery and start their recuperation. I still can’t believe how lucky I was to get the job.’
‘Why wouldn’t you?’ Lisa was beaming proudly. ‘We’re not the only ones who think you’re the best. And it’s Gran we should toast as well. If she hadn’t made a good choice when she bought that little house decades ago, it wouldn’t have sold for enough to make it possible to do a makeover like this on this apartment.’ She looked around at the sleek lines and open spaces that made it so easy to live in for someone in a wheelchair but it still had the character that went with the old building it was part of, like the high ceilings and feature fireplaces.
‘Best of all, you’re a lot closer to us now,’ Hugh put in. ‘For, you know...those babysitting duties that are coming up.’
The ripple of laughter was comfortable. So was the teasing. They were a family unit now and about to welcome the first of the next generation.
‘It’s just a shame you’re not having twins,’ Abby said. ‘Or triplets, even.’
‘You’re kidding, right?’ Lisa shook her head. ‘Why would you wish that on me?’
‘You’ve got all those bedrooms in that mansion of yours. You’ll need to have a few more kids to fill them up. How are your parents doing, Hugh? Do they like their downsized life in Central London?’
‘They’re hardly ever there. It’s ironic that when Lisa and I gave up working on the cruise ships, they decided that it was their favourite way to travel. They’re on their way to Alaska as we speak.’
Hugh had come to stand behind Lisa and he put his arms around her, his hands over hers on her belly. The kick this time was stronger and Lisa glance slid sideways to find Hugh had done the same thing. It was another one of those private moments and it was so filled with joy that she couldn’t look away.
‘Oh, get a room,’ Abby growled. ‘No, wait...that’s how this happened, wasn’t it? I’ll consider myself warned.’
It was a joke but Lisa could sense something in her sister’s tone that made her move to give her a hug. A note of longing, perhaps? She knew Abby was thrilled with her new life that included her dream job and the perfect apartment but Lisa wanted for Abby the kind of happiness she had found with Hugh. Because it made life about as close to perfect as it could get.
‘It’ll be your turn one of these days,’ she murmured as she wrapped her arms around her sister. ‘You just wait and see...’
* * *
Look out for the next story in the Medics, Sisters, Brides duet
Saved by Their Miracle Baby
And if you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Alison Roberts
Single Dad in Her Stocking
Melting the Trauma Doc’s Heart
Dr. Right for the Single Mom
Pregnant with Her Best Friend’s Baby
All available now!
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Life and love in the world of modern medicine.
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Saved by Their Miracle Baby
by Alison Roberts
CHAPTER ONE
IT CAME OUT of nowhere.
A sickening crunch. A thump as the back of Abigail Phillips’s head hit the headrest and the car lurched as the engine stalled. The fear that worse was about to come made Abby her screw her eyes shut for a few seconds and grip her steering wheel as if her life depended on it. Was her car going to get hit again and go spinning off into oncoming traffic or the nearest lamppost?
But there was only silence now and her car was just as stable as it had been before the crunch, when Abby had been the first to stop at this red traffic light. She’d only been rear-ended, she realised, and it was probably no big deal. She’d love to jump out of the car and go and inspect any damage to the vehicle that was her pride and joy but that wasn’t going to happen. What she did do was take a couple of deep breaths and try to control the way her heart was still hammering against her ribs. Instead of slowing down, however, it completely missed a beat when someone rapped on her window and gave her another fright.
Her eyes flew open. There was a face at her window now. A very concerned-looking face.
‘Oh, my God...’ she heard him say. ‘I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?’
He tried the door but it was locked. Abby wasn’t stupid—she knew to lock her door and keep herself safe from something like carjacking. She also remembered some advice she’d heard about never admitting culpability at the scene of an accident because of potential legal ramifications. Either this man had never heard the same advice or he was just too honest not to admit something was entirely his own fault and then apologise for it. Abby liked that enough to make her reach for the switch to lower her window so she could talk to him.
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