by Bella Donnis
He ignored her but did make the occasional glance back to give some unearthly grin. What was wrong with everybody today?
Erin leaned forward and squinted. “What is that?” There was something on the Back Lawn. A marquee perhaps? “Really…To whom must you speak to rent that place out?”
It looked as though Scruffy thrust his oar harder against the river bank and then the faint chimes of an orchestra built up and grew in volume as the boat neared the Back Lawn.
Erin leaned forward even more, almost bumping foreheads with Holly who was splitting her attention between the Back Lawn and Erin. Then the large white marquee with bar came into view, the classical music louder still.
But where were the people? The punt was still far away enough so that the trees blocked out Erin’s line of sight, but she could indeed see movement between the weeping willows. “Is this a graduation event?” The timing seemed about right for it.
The punt glided closer and then a solitary feminine figure, stepped, almost floating to Erin’s mind, down the Back Lawn toward the river. She was tall and athletic, had the deep tan of a Mediterranean with long, silky dark hair that flowed down her back. Erin squinted and placed a hand to her heart. The woman wore a long all-white halter identical to Erin’s, the material clinging tightly to every inch and curve as she seemed to speed up her approach as she neared the river bank, before coming to a stop, the breeze blowing and lifting her hair slightly as well as the hems of the dress.
Erin’s mouth fell open, she stood, her heel tapping the wooden bottom of the punt uncontrollably. Erin didn’t notice the music, the sun, the ducks, the water, Holly, Scruffy, the other guests who were gathered far away from the girl. What Erin did notice was the girl’s beautiful smile, her eyes which even from a closing distance possessed so much power and intensity. The damn boat couldn’t move fast enough.
“Erin.” The girl shouted as the boat drew close.
Dare Erin say it? Was it real? “Gianna.” Erin shouted back, holding onto the boat’s side to steady herself. “Gia!”
And then the boat came to a stop against the grass verge and Erin leapt onto the Back Lawn and into Gia’s arms. Erin felt the air driven from her lungs as her tears flowed over Gia’s shoulder.
“You came back.” Erin’s voice, hoarse, came out muffled against Gia’s flesh.
“I came back.” Gia brought her mouth to Erin’s ear and whispered, “and I’m back forever.”
The breath caught in Erin’s throat. “You promise?”
“I promise.”
“Happy birthday,” Scruffy said as he hopped off the punt and held out a hand for Holly. “We put a lot of work into this so you’d better bloody enjoy it.”
Sometime during the last few minutes the orchestra had started with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
“Yes, happy birthday, Erin.” Gia said, placing an arm around her back and squeezing her flesh, quite a thrill.
It was one of those surreal moments that sent a rush of blood to the head, heightening the senses to such an extent that tiny insignificant details came to the fore; the ripples of the water, the quacks of the ducks, birds in the sky and the shape of the glasses which the guests, who were slowly making their way toward the bank, held in their hands. Erin began to pick out those faces; her parents who were even now supposed to be driving back north, her brother, several former Cambridge friends, professors and rowing club members who’d doubtless be curious to hear Gia’s story.
Erin turned to Scruffy, wanting badly to give him that much needed punch to the arm, but she’d let it go on this occasion. “Thank you for everything.” She turned back to Gia, tears causing a temporary blurring of her vision. “And thank you for making this the best day of my life.” Erin stepped back and looked Gia from top to bottom and back again. “You look bloody fantastic.”
“And I know it too. You’d better appreciate the work I’ve put in these last few months.” Gia stared hard and defiant into Erin’s eyes, just like she always used to do. Could this really be the old Gia? Or as close to the old Gia as was humanly possible considering everything that had changed.
“How?” Erin shook her head. She knew she didn’t make any sense right now. With a little luck, she’d regain some level of coherence soon. Instead, she led Gia toward the marquee. “I need a drink.”
The rich smell of barbecue, serene music and friendly company together tempted several ducks out from the Cam, where the setting sun glistened and punts glided.
Gia, caught by movement in her periphery turned to watch the Professor Andy Atkins chasing after one of the ducks, drink in hand until finally, outrun and outwitted, he gave up. “Well at least he hasn’t changed.”
“No,” Erin agreed, “in fact I think he’s worse now than ever.” Erin gazed again at Gia, still barely believing she was here, in Cambridge, on her birthday. Not only that, but she’d be staying. “We obviously need to talk about stuff.”
Gia nodded and smiled. She’d lost several of those faint wrinkles from before, her skin looking smoother and more vibrant. She’d obviously improved the quality of her diet and regained her love for exercise as the softness that a year ago was her shoulders, arms and stomach was now toned flesh with a hint of muscle. “We do but there’s plenty of time for all that. I want you to have fun tonight. I’m here for good now, but we need to take things slow.”
Erin nodded, matching Gia’s own head movements. “That would probably be a very good idea.”
“But I’m taking you up on your offer. I know I’m a little late, but I assume it still stands?”
Erin laughed, “of course it still stands. My God, Gia, I need you at the surgery.” She stared through a group of guests to where Glen Prudhoe on his prosthetic leg, stood with his wife and children. “I’ve never been busier.” Erin said with a touch of gloom.
Gia gave a sympathetic smile – Even now, she understood Erin’s thoughts. “I’d be honoured to join you then.”
“Where have you been staying anyway?”
“I’ve been here about a week,” Gia giggled, “bunking up at Scruffy’s whilst we concocted our evil plan. I was terrified we’d bump into each other in the city, which would’ve taken some explaining. But the truth is, there’s nothing left for me in Italy. Everything that’s important is here.” Gia stared beyond Erin to the Cam. “And it still feels like home, even now. This place…I can’t tell you how incredible it feels to be back.”
And Erin couldn’t yet describe how it felt to have her back. “So all your stuff must be at Scruffy’s house then?” Erin wanted to suggest she move in with her immediately, but realised that’d probably be taking things a bit too fast – But damn it – Gia belonged with Erin.
“It is. He gets kind of grouchy at having my stuff spread all over his floor.” Gia nodded in his direction. “Despite his name, Scruffy’s actually quite a neat freak. He’ll be ecstatic to see the back of me.”
Erin laughed at the memory of just how messy she used to be. “You’ll be bucking up your ideas if you’re coming to live with me.” Whoops, the cat was out of the bag.
“Is that an invitation?” Gia asked with a wide grin.
Erin blushed, “so much for taking things slow.”
Erin introduced Gia to her parents and despite her mother’s initial reservations, she seemed to like Gia instantly and even remarked at how similar they looked in their matching dresses. “It was a beautiful touch, Gia,” she said, even understanding the Italian’s accent, which surprised everybody.
“Is this the big reunion party you imagined?” Erin asked Gia, as they lined up together with Scruffy and Holly for photos.
“Almost…But it’s as perfect as possible.”
“I’m sure Mikey is here in spirit.” Erin said, thinking about how brave Gia had been returning home to Cambridge with her head held high. “He’d be very proud of you.”
Epilogue
Two days later, Gia arrived for her first day at work. They’d once spoken about being partners, b
ut instead, Gia was technically an employee. It wouldn’t matter in the long scheme of things as Gia took to the job immediately and proved to be a wonderful person to work with. Erin didn’t tell her, but she planned on making her a partner as a one year anniversary gift.
Their close proximity during the day proved quite a challenge and distraction, especially at first, as they repeatedly stole glances at one another from across the lab. Erin couldn’t tell a lie, but Gia looked damned hot in her lab coat.
“I know you’re doing it deliberately.” Erin muttered under her breath, staring hopelessly at Gia’s curves as she worked with a patient at the other end of the room. Although taking things slow had been a good idea, Erin prayed it pained Gia just as much as herself.
“I have a surprise for you.” Erin said after Gia’s first two weeks were over.
Half an hour later they were both standing on the edge of the Cam beside a two-man scull.
“Erin, you have no idea how many times I’ve dreamed of this.” Gia said as she stepped inside with a wobble.
“You’re not the only one.” Erin clambered in behind and together they pushed off the side with their oars. “Nice and easy to begin with, then we’ll see how fit we really are.” It had been eleven years since either girl had rowed.
Gia gestured upstream and squinted. “Where are all the other boats?” She shivered, even as she exerted herself on the oars. “Looks like I’ll need to adjust to the cold again.”
Erin joked, “well you really shouldn’t have left me then should you. Besides, it really isn’t that cold. We’ve done it in worse.”
After ten minutes, Gia threw down her oars and leaned back in the boat, her head coming to rest on Erin’s thighs.
“This is not how to get back in shape.” Erin said, enjoying Gia’s touch and hoping she wouldn’t move.
“Shhh, I don’t care. I want things to stay just like this…Perfect.” Gia rubbed Erin’s calf, which she felt deep down inside.
Erin closed her eyes and concentrated on Gia’s hand as it brushed light strokes up and down her leg. “Yes.” She whispered finally.
“Yes what?” Gia asked, tilting her head back.
“The answer is yes.” Erin ran her fingers through Gia’s thick mane. “I always regretted not telling you…But you know what I was like back then.”
Gia’s chest rose and sank, in rhythm with Erin’s own breathing. “Why am I getting a déjà vu right now?”
It wasn’t so déjà vu for Erin, who’d always regretted letting herself down when that perfect opportunity to change her life was gifted to her. This time she’d do it differently. “I have been in love Gia. And you’re right, it’s the most incredible feeling in the world.” Erin leaned forward, brought her lips to Gia’s ear and whispered. “I’ve never stopped loving you.”
Gia pushed herself up and faced Erin in the boat. “Erin, I love you too.”
Erin’s heart soared. She felt whole, like she’d finally made some sort of peace with herself and her past, with Gia and whoever was watching out for her. “You should move in with me right now. I don’t want to wait another minute to be with you.” Although she’d suggested it the other week, Gia had remained at Scruffy’s house, just to be on the safe side.
“I’m there.” Gia hissed before running her hand through Erin’s hair. “I’ve missed this, my English rose.”
Erin leaned forward, her lips stopping an inch from Gia’s as she whispered, “I’ve missed this too, my damn Italian.”
And then their lips came together as somewhere high above, two Kingfishers flew over.
Also By Bella Donnis
Trapped
A Petal And A Thorn
My Summer Romance
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