Lovely (11 page)

Chapter 29

Monday morning, after Julie had dropped Mac off at school, she picked me up at the apartment. I strapped my seat belt across my chest and clicked it into place when I sat down in her convertible VW Beetle. She turned her head toward me, but I couldn’t see her eyes behind the huge
, vintage sunglasses. The woman and the car matched with their big bug eyes.

“I think you’ll fit into my wedding dress. I want to get the alterations done ahead of time. Besides, we need a little girl time to get to know each other.” She smiled. Her cropped hair barely moved as we drove while my long locks were whipped all over the place.

“You’re kind. Thanks.” I tried to think of another conversation starter, but I couldn’t and we rode in silence for a while.

“
Gavyn told me about your family,” Julie said.

I gulped. “He did?”

“I’m sorry they’re pushing you away like this, but I hope this isn’t the only reason you’re getting married.”

“No, ma’am,
” I answered, remembering her scolding of the boys. “He’s a great guy. From the moment we met, he’s been incredible. I didn’t think I could fall for someone that fast.”

“It’s the accent.” She smiled
knowingly. “They play it up just to make us swoon. He inherited his father’s charisma. My husband can say certain words and I just throw my panties at him without question.”

“I’m not going to
lie, the accent helps.” I laughed. “How did you meet Mr. Valmore?”

“I owned a store back then called Threads by Julie. Warren stopped in to b
uy a gift for his mother before he returned to England. Something handmade and easy to pack.”

“I’m guessing you didn’t fit in the suitcase.”

Her smile widened. “No. His mother was none too pleased when he brought home a wife.”

“Is that why you’re nice to me?
Because his mother wasn’t welcoming?”

“Partially.”

She turned into a suburban neighborhood with middle class homes
of varying pastel colors and backyard pools. We pulled into the driveway of a yellow house that matched the color of her car.

Julie continued, “
Gavyn has been through a lot. Mac is a wonderful kid, but it’s hard for a single dad. Let alone what happened with Kari. I have a good intuition about you, but do not hurt my son or my grandson. They both love you.”

“I love them, too. I belong with them. Somehow, I know I do.”

“How do you know you love them?” She used her right hand to pull off her sunglasses and hang them from the sun visor.

“Because I can’t imagine my life without them now.
It’s like all the puzzle pieces click together and the world makes sense.” I unbuckled my seatbelt, embarrassed and not wanting to make eye contact.

“He basically says the same thing about you.” She pushed open the car door and stepped out, heading toward the front door.

I followed her into the home. The interior looked like I expected. Pictures of her family were on nearly every wall with the occasional sconce and mirror adding a bit of flair. The curtains stood out as handmade. Designs that beautiful couldn’t possibly have been made by a machine.

“So hot out there.
How about a drink?”

“Sure, thank you.” I tagged along as she walked down a short hallway and into the kitchen.

Their breakfast nook had a small table with a newspaper still lying on it. I sat down and looked outside through the sliding glass door. Like many of the other houses, there was a pool in the back.

“You have an inviting home. I bet Mac loves the pool.” I accepted the glass of lemonade she handed me and sipped it.

“He’s like a fish.” She took a seat at the opposite side of the table and fanned herself. “Florida weather and hot flashes do not go together. Whew.”

I glanced around the room some more. The fridge was covered with magnets
. They pinned Malcolm’s drawings and assignments that he’d been awarded good grades on to the surface. My parents had never done that. I remembered bringing home a magnet I’d bought on one of our trips and being told it made the stainless steel refrigerator look tacky. A frown crept onto my face without me realizing it.

“You know, a man is not going to make everything that’s wrong with life better. Trust me. They’re a pain.” She smiled.

“I know.” I nodded. “Hopefully everything Gavyn and I have been through will make us a stronger and patient couple.”

“It will.
Do you plan on adopting Malcolm?”

“I… I don’t know. I’d like to, but I want to ask him how he feels about it. It’s strange. I never really had
a maternal instinct until now.” I placed my glass on the coaster and leaned back in my chair.

Julie stood and gestured for me to join her. “Warren and I will continue to help out, of course.”

She led me past a bedroom, bathroom, and into her crafting room at the end of an upstairs hall. There were wreaths, clothing, quilts, and Christmas decorations everywhere. Everything appeared to be handcrafted for the most part. I busied myself by looking around when she disappeared into a walk-in closet. She returned with a white gown draped with plastic.

“This is the dress I wore when I marrie
d my husband. I made it… gosh, I must have been fifteen years old when I started working on it.”

“Mrs.
Valmore….” I choked up. “I mean, Julie, it’s beautiful.” I extended my hands toward the clear plastic and looked up at her for permission.

“Go ahead, dear. It’s yours now.”

I ran my hands along the intricate stitching and lace. My fingertips gingerly touched the silk. The dress had held up with time, pure white and new. When I moved the fabric, it reflected the light and faintly sparkled. My voice left me and I closed my eyes.

Julie ushered me into the nearby bathroom before I could start
crying. “Try it on so we can make adjustments.”

A few minutes later, I walked
back into the room. I chewed on my index fingernail as I awaited her reaction. She didn’t say anything, but stood up and tugged on the dress in a few locations to see where it needed adjustments.

“The bodice is a little loose, but I think we can pad
your chest to make up the difference without doing any major alterations. A little long, though. I’ll take it up some.” Her look of concentration finally faded and she grinned. “Gavyn’s breath will be taken away. We’ll get to work on this and then go out for a manicure. Your fingers look like little bald men.” She smacked at my hand lightly so I’d stopped biting my nail.

I laughed. “Yeah, bad habit I’ve picked up.”

“We all have them.”

“Julie?” I hesitated.

“Hmm?”

“I’m glad you’re going to be my mother-in-law. You’ve done an amazing job with your family.”

She scoffed. “Now stop that. I have to save my tears for the wedding. Unless I get drunk enough that I don’t cry, but then I might end up face down in the pool.”

“Ha… yeah.”
I said uncomfortably, but tried to hide my unease. Apparently, Gavyn hadn’t told her the details of my brother’s untimely death when he gave her the rundown on my family situation.

Chapter
30

Returning home to
Gavyn’s apartment, I found him stretched out on the couch with a book on his chest and his glasses pushed up on his forehead. He was dressed for work. I hadn’t realized I’d been gone so long. I closed the door quietly behind me before tiptoeing across the carpet toward him.

I’m not usually one to brag, but I was looking pretty good… especially compared to the lazy standards I’d picked up since moving out on my own. Julie had taken me for a manicure and a haircut at her favorite salon. Brand new highlights streaked my long locks.
Afterward, we’d stopped by her favorite café for an afternoon cappuccino. The chocolate, caffeine, and sugar had me on a high.

I leaned down and blew lightly on
Gavyn’s ear. He slapped at it once and rolled over. Once again, I did it and he grumbled. Feeling defeated, I sighed. When I did, he turned to me and had his arms wrapped around my waist before I knew what was happening. I screamed as he pulled me on top of him.

“Whoa, you look hot.” He purred out at me in a husky, sensual tone.

“As opposed to…?” I placed my hands on his chest and pushed myself up to sitting across him.

“You’re always hot. I didn’t mean that. Today something is different.” He reached up and touched my hair. “I like it.”

Wiggling a little, I felt the proof beneath me. “I can tell.”

“I should be asking you how things went today, but I think all the blood that’s supposed to be running my brain is in my cock.” He shifted a little as if to make room in his pants.

“Well, maybe I’ll tell you all about it later.” I undid his belt then went to work on the pants, pulling them down.

All he did was nod slowly as he watched me at first. “Where have you been all my life?” He moaned out, reaching out to cup my breasts in both hands through my blouse.

I smiled a little and lifted my shoulders into a brief shrug wiggling against his free erection to torment him. “I’m here now.” I leaned down and kissed his lips.

“Feisty.” He growled into my mouth and reached out to unbutton my pants.

“Not this time.” I grabbed his hands and shoved them away. He appeared surprised and disappointed that I was turning him down after I’d just stripped him of his work pants. Slowly, I slinked down his body, licking my lips.

Realization dawned on his face and he grabbed a throw pillow, propping himself up with it for a better view. A groan escaped him before my mouth even made contact.

Chapter 31

Against my better judgment, I called my mom after
Gavyn left later that evening for work. It was late, but I wanted them to call off the absurd trial and I wasn’t above begging at this point. I tried her cell phone first, but there was no answer so I called the house line.

“Caine residence,” a familiar
person spoke into the receiver. It was our long time employee, Erin. She was a scrawny, witchy looking woman with a voice to match.

“Hi, it’s Farrah. Is Mom around?”

“Oh, sure thing. I think she fell asleep in the library. One moment.”

As I waited on hold, I put the phone on speaker and tapped it against my forehead.
My mother had to listen to reason.

“Farrah, thank goodness you’re alright.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m not a child. Then again, no, I’m not alright. I can’t believe you’re letting father go through with this trial. I’ve taken care of myself fine.” I inhaled a deep breath through my nose and exhaled it slowly. My face burned as my anger grew more intense.

“Trust us, it’s for the best. It’s not forever.
My side of the family… we have a history of illness. Your father is making sure you get any help you need before something bad happens.”

“Illness?
What are you talking about? I’m not sick.” I looked down at the phone as if she could see my confused and annoyed expression.

“
Mental illness. Brody told us what you did to the walls of your apartment and about the self-mutilation.”

I rolled my eyes. “The walls were painted because that’s what I enjoy doing. And my tattoos are so I can express myself. What kind of mental illness are you talking about?”

“Your father may seem like he’s unfair or cruel, but he’s been through hell and back with me. He loves you and so do I. I wasn’t supposed to tell you all this because he’s worried you might run again.”

“I’m not running anywhere. I’m fighting tooth and nail
until the end.”

“I wish I could say something to ease
the paranoia making you think we’re out to get you, but I understand these feelings you’re having all too well.” Her voice held no anger, only sympathy.

“I’ll see you soon… probably for the last time.” I ended the call and buried my face in my hands. I spent the night crying, but swore that it would be the last time I shed tears over
my parents.

Chapter 32

The rest of the week flew by in a whirl. Each day, whether while snuggling on the sofa watching movies or making love in the mornings, I was reassured that marrying Gavyn was the right thing to do. Friday arrived quickly and we walked hand in hand up to his parents’ house to attend our pre-wedding party.

“I’m so nervous,” I said.

Gavyn squeezed my hand. “Nothing bad is going to happen.”

I smiled weakly and nodded. We were greeted at the front door by his mother and her open arms. As she hugged me, I looked into the house and saw people everywhere. They were only tipsy strangers, but in my eyes they were all potential murderers or victims.

“Bloody hell,” Gavyn said beside me underneath his breath. “This is a few people?”

Julie shrugged and ushered us inside. “We have a lot of friends.” She tur
ned toward the crowd and picked up a fork near the hors d’oeuvres. The clinking of the metal against her glass caused the chatter to stop and people to turn in our direction.

I lifted my hand in greeting awkwardly.

“Most of you know my son. I certainly show enough pictures of him and my grandbaby. This stunning beauty is Farrah, his bride-to-be,” Julie continued.

Gavyn
smiled at me apologetically when the round of applause started. He waited for the clapping to stop before speaking. “My mother throws quite a party. Thank you for coming out to support us.”

“Alright, back to drinking and eating. Where is your father?” She asked.

“Probably hiding.” Gavyn slid his arm around my waist and led me over to the display of food. He poured me a glass of ginger ale from the two liter on the counter. Then he picked up a plate and began loading it up with meats, cheeses, and fruits before offering it to me.

“I’m not sure I can eat.
I might vomit.” I placed my hand over my belly. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Julie looking at me. “Really… it’s just my nerves.” I laughed and my tension eased a little.

“There she is!” A large booming
voice called out and a man to match it in size walked toward me. I placed my plate on the counter just as he pulled me into a bear hug. “She’s lovely, son.”

“That’s what I keep telling her,”
Gavyn said as he tugged an olive off a toothpick with his teeth and chewed it with a slight grin.

“Thank you.” I blushed profusely, picking up my plate once more
when Gavyn’s father released me and I could breathe once again.

Julie chimed in. “Where were you?”

“Hiding in the loo. Ben, the arse in the corner, keeps rambling on about his wife’s new tits.” Warren cleared his throat. “Breasts, pardon my abrasive language.”

“They are quite impressive, dear.” Julie glance
d over her shoulder toward the couple.

“That’s the issue,” Warren smirked. “I can’t stop looking at them.”

Julie smacked him on the shoulder. “You are lucky you’re so handsome or I’d walk right out this door.”

Warren wrapped his arms around his wife, leaning back to lift her up off the floor. “Yours are much better anyway.” He kissed Julie’s nose after the playful banter.

They left us alone a few minutes later. I smiled at Gavyn who was shaking his head.

“What?” I asked.

“They’ve always been disgusting like that.” He ate another olive and made a face I’d seen his son make several times when he didn’t get his way.

“I think they are
cute and it’s obvious they are very much in love even after all these years. My parents aren’t like that. They’re serious
all
the time.”

Gavyn
brushed a strand of hair away from my face and tucked it behind my ear. “There’s still time to invite them. It might help the relationship.”

“It won’t. Let’s focus on us and not
have anything to do with them until next week.”

He nodded. “Okay, baby. I’m going to check on Malcolm and ask him if he’ll do something for me during the wedding. Will you be alright to mingle a little?”

“Sure.” I popped a square of cheddar into my mouth. “Give him my love.”

Gavyn
kissed my cheek and then casually pinched my butt on his way by me.

I did as he asked, speaking with people that his parents introduced me to. When they left me alone to entertain myself again, I returned to the kitchen and headed for the sliding door. No one was outside now
and a minute alone was much needed. I quietly slid the door open, stepped outside, and then closed it behind me.

Light reflected off the clear blue water of the pool and I stepped toward it. A fear had overtaken me since the accident. Even though I hadn’t been there, I could see the car crashing into the lake in my mind and in my dreams as if I’d been standing on the docks.

Run away
.

The words had me spinning around to see who had said them, but I was alone. It
caused me to furrow my brow, reminded of the day I’d fled my parents’ home… the day all my dreams had come undone.

I shivered and rubbed my arms despite the warm air as I stared down into the clear water. The memories were pushed away. I had new dreams
now.

The door I’d exited
leading into the backyard opened and then closed. I didn’t turn around, unable to take my eyes off the water. A set of familiar hands touched my shoulders and took over rubbing my arms.

“Sorry for taking so long. Malcolm had a lot of questions about the wedding.”
Gavyn rested his chin on my shoulder and leaned his head against mine.

“Is he okay with everything? I know we’ve all talked about it, but I’m sure the changes worry him.”

“He’s excited. So am I.”

I smiled faintly. “How do you know I’m the one?”

“When you see a woman drooling after her tooth is pulled on the first day you spend with her and you can’t wait to see her afterward, you know she’s something special.” He snickered.

“Funny, but probably true.”
I laughed, turning around to face him. His arms lowered around my waist and he held me close.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t have proposed how I did if not for your troubles. I’d have taken you to the most expensive restaurant in town and had the waiter hide your ring in
sparkling cider since you don’t drink champagne.” He reached for one of my hands and lifted it to his lips while his other went into his pocket.

“I don’t need that.
Just you.”

Gavyn
lowered himself to one knee and in his hand was an engagement ring. Until that moment my finger had been bare. “This ring… it isn’t nearly as big as the one you had before. I picked it out earlier this week. If you don’t like it….”

“I love it,” I said immediately, falling to my knees as well.

“You’re not supposed to propose to me, too.” He scolded me with a smirk on his handsome face.

Ignoring his joke, I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go.

“Hey, now.” He rubbed my back. “Try it on.”

Fighting back tears, I let him slip the ring onto my finger. The simple band was lined with tiny diamonds that refracted the light no matter how I turned my hand.

“Tomorrow will be the best day of my life,” I said.

“I can’t promise you much, but I promise you my love forever.” He kissed me once, briefly, before returning his mouth to mine
again as if a taste wasn’t enough. We sat by the pool for a long time, lips only separating to draw in an occasional breath.