Nicole explained her situation in as much detail as she could manage, and Agnes agreed instantly to take on her case; it was that simple, and the initial paperwork would be done within the week. If Paul Nixon planned on dragging this out then he was going to find it a very expensive route to take, which went in Nicole’s favour as it was unlikely he really would have the funds for such a battle, but that didn’t mean Nicole wasn’t worried. He had friends. Rich friends, friends in high places. If he needed to then he could get help to fight this. She was his, as far as he was concerned; she existed only because he said she did. Their kids were his. They were all nothing more than possessions, and Paul Nixon did not like having his things taken away from him.
Lucy made sure that Agnes added an injunction to keep him away too. They had not seen hide nor hair of him since Lucy had seen him off, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t reappear anytime soon. They needed to make it clear to this bastard that he wasn’t going to be hurting any of them again.
“I don’t want him having any access to my kids,” Nicole added. The redhead wrote that down and then looked up to address the matter.
“You may not get a choice. The courts could suggest he has access, no matter how limited.”
“Then make sure it doesn’t happen, whatever it takes,” Lucy interjected. “Storm is just about getting back on track, and that bastard is not going to scare her again.”
Agnes held her hands up. “I am just making sure you know the possibilities, but I will do whatever I can to make sure he doesn’t get any access, or at the very least it is limited to supervised visitation. He will never be allowed to be alone with them.” Lucy nodded; she wasn’t happy with that idea, but they would deal with it if it happened.
With his mounting debts and gambling addiction, it shouldn’t be too difficult to prove he didn’t have the capacity to parent a child. Lucy agreed to pay for the services of a private investigator who would find out all there was to know about Paul Nixon’s gambling and any other vices he might have.
“Would you be willing to allow Storm to speak with a psychiatrist?” Agnes asked Nicole. “It could help prove that he is an unfit parent who is a danger to the children.”
Nicole shook her head. “No, not if we can do it another way. I don’t want Storm to feel like it’s her fault if the courts went in his favour.”
“Which they won’t,” Lucy insisted. “I’ll take you all to England before I let that happen!” Nicole smiled; it was sweet and Lucy had good intentions, but she knew it would never be that simple.
When they left the lawyer’s office to go across town to Sherriff Jenkins, Nicole was feeling a little more at ease with the whole situation. She had spent so many years being frightened of this man that now she had Lucy and friends like Rita to support her fight back, she felt a little lighter in her step.
Sherriff Jenkins was a woman in her fifties. She had worked through the ranks and became Sherriff four years ago. She was a fair and honest woman who did things the right way and so, when Nicole and Lucy came to see her, she took down every detail and filed it all accordingly. There was no crime to answer to as far as the law was currently concerned, but if this Paul Nixon came calling on her patch and so much as blew too hard in Nicole’s direction, then she was going to throw the book at him and use this statement as evidence if she could.
“I just wish I could go and hunt the bastard down and sling him in the cells for a few nights,” the Sherriff said energetically. “You say your daughter was treated for a broken arm?”
Nicole nodded tearfully. “Yes, she tried to help when he attacked me one night and he grabbed her arm so hard it fractured. She needed an operation to put a plate in.”
“I see, so there is a record of that somewhere?”
“Yes but, he made both of us say it was an accident, that she fell and he grabbed her to stop her from hurting herself.”
“Bastards always got an answer for everything, ain’t they?” she said, looking from one to the other. She sucked at her teeth. “Well let me assure you, Ms. Granger, that nobody will be behaving that way on my watch, not in my town. You hear me? You get even the slightest whiff that he is around and you call it in. I’ll have him locked down quicker than he can fart.”
~E&F~
“I can’t believe that everyone here just accepts my story,” Nicole said to Lucy as they waited in line at the bakery. They were picking up some treats for the girls, well that was the excuse Nicole used, but mainly she was craving cream slices.
“Why wouldn’t they? What reason do you have to lie about it, they can easily check you out.”
“Yeah, but if they do that with the local police from back home, then they will probably get a whole different story from him.”
“Nic, look at me,” Lucy said gently. “He can say anything he wants to and it won’t change a thing. You are safe here, and I am not going to let anything happen to you or our girls, okay?”
Nicole took a moment to take in what Lucy had said, to read her face and fall into the sincerity shining brightly from her eyes. And then she was there: she saw and felt the safety of Lucy. She felt the honesty, the love, the life free from cruelty, and she wanted nothing more than to grab it and hold onto it, so she did. She reached out and threw her arms around Lucy’s neck and clung to her.
“I’m not going to let him anywhere near you,” Lucy promised once more.
“Take me home,” Nicole said quietly in her ear.
“What about the girls?”
“I think they will be fine with Rita for another hour.” She smiled coyly and headed for the door.
“Okay, but I am still buying these cakes.” Lucy laughed and handed over some cash to the assistant. Not even waiting for her change, she quickly followed Nicole out of the door and to the car.
They drove quite sensibly considering that neither of them could keep their hands off of one another. Thighs were stroked and cheeks were kissed. Whispers were spoken of desires and promises, all of which would be given the fullest attention once they finally got home.
Nicole pulled into the front of the cabin and they both leapt from the vehicle, crashing through the front door attached to each other. Lips parted and tongues battled as fingers and hands stormed the fortifications of clothing. Buttons popped and zippers pulled as they backed and pushed and twisted to the couch, half-naked and desperate for each other and for relief, an ache building in each of them that only the other could relieve. This was the first time that desire had eclipsed all thought, when urgency had overcome the need to take it slow. This was not going to be making love; this was something new.
Insatiable was how Nicole felt, totally and utterly insatiable, whether it was just the effect that Lucy had on her in general or a helping hand of hormones from the baby she wasn’t sure, and she didn’t care; she just needed Lucy, over and over and over. She felt the grip of Lucy’s thumbs in the hollows of her hips as she arched. Her mouth warm against her as knowing lips devoured her.
“Oh God, what have you done to me?” she gasped as once more an orgasm pulsed through her.
Lucy laughed as she kissed her way back up Nicole’s torso. “I’m not sure I know what you mean?”
“Oh, I think you know exactly what you do to me!” She laughed along with her as she rolled towards her and kissed her softly. “I love you, you make me so happy.”
“Ditto, I never thought I could be this happy again. I love you too.”
Chapter Forty-One
The summer holidays were over all too soon, and Storm was finally looking forward to the school pageant. She had practiced and practiced her song over and over, and Lucy was sure she was going to be the star of the show.
Celebrating 100 years of the school being formed, one pupil from each class had been selected to perform. Ms. Arnold was Storm’s music teacher, and it was her decision to push Storm forward. Although she had only been at the school a matter of weeks before the holidays had come, Ms. Arnold wanted to involve Storm.
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“I thought Storm needed a little help in asserting herself. She is a very intelligent young lady, but she lacks a little in self-esteem I fear.” She spoke avidly about Storm to Nicole and Lucy. “I am hoping I haven’t pushed too far. though.”
“I think you will be pleasantly surprised, Ms. Arnold,” Nicole gushed. “Storm has been practising all summer and well, she is very good.”
“Oh, I have no doubts that girl will be brilliant at anything she sets her mind to,” Ms. Arnold replied. “I wasn’t aware she could play the piano though.”
“She couldn’t. She has learned this song over the summer, and we are continuing with her lessons,” Lucy announced proudly to the intrigued teacher. She was so pleased with Storm and the twins. They had all enjoyed learning to play, but Storm had the talent for it, and she was good. Lucy was contemplating buying a real piano if she continued to impress and enjoy as much as she did right now.
“Well, here she is.” They all turned to face the stage as Storm walked out, head high like Lucy had taught her. She sat on the piano stool and looked out. She couldn’t see anyone in the audience because of the lights, just as Lucy had said it would be. She imagined herself sitting in the cabin, with Lucy and her mom and sisters. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself before she brought her fingers to the keys and began to play, just the way Lucy had taught her. With each key she played correctly, her confidence grew, and by the time she opened her mouth to sing her first words, she had no fears left. She owned the stage; it was just her and the piano, and before she knew it, it was all over and people were clapping. Clapping for her. She heard whistles and calls for an encore, and not even the lights could outshine the smile on her face.
~E&F~
“Kelly and Maggie asked if I can come over this weekend, they’re having a sleepover,” Storm said excitedly once she had worked the crowd like Lucy told her to do. “Can I go?”
“If you want to, of course, you can, just have Kelly and Maggie’s mom give me a call to confirm times, okay?” Nicole said. Storm was already rushing off to tell her new friends that she could come over.
“That went well then,” Lucy said, grinning as she watched her go. “So, we have a happy eight-year-old. What are we going to do with these munchkins?” she said, squatting down to the twins and grabbing hold of them both, which earned her giggles and hugs from them both. She stood with one on either hip. “Shall we go home and watch one of those cartoon DVD things you love so much?” She looked between them as they nodded furiously in agreement.
“And ice cweem?” Summer asked hopefully.
“And ice cream?” Lucy questioned.
“Yessssssssssssssssssss,” They both said in unison.
“What do you think, Mum? Do these two munchkins deserve to have ice cream AND a cartoon?” Lucy asked, stifling a giggle.
“Well, I am going to have to think about it.”
“Pweeeeese,” said Rain, desperately trying to convince her mother that she needed ice cream!
Nicole gave a short gasp and clutched her tummy. She stood completely still, fully focused on something only she could feel. Lucy let the girls down on their feet again and watched Nicole’s face for any kind of clue.
“What’s wrong?” she asked as Nicole looked up and smiled at her.
“Nothing. I felt the baby move, that’s all.”
“Let me feel,” Rain said, followed by Summer’s, “And me!” She let them place their hands on her tummy.
“I don’t think the baby is big enough yet for you all to feel it,” Nicole explained, but it didn’t stop Lucy from placing her hand there either. All of them grinned with excitement.
~E&F~
When they pulled up outside the cabin, the first thing they noticed was the car parked out front. A nice car, an expensive car; a Mercedes with a broken headlight.
“Oh no!” Storm cried. “Lucy, don’t let him take us.”
Paul Nixon sat in the driver’s seat, a face full of rage and bitterness. He didn’t like to lose.
“He isn’t taking anyone anywhere,” she said firmly to Storm before her eyes travelled around every set of terrified eyes staring back at her. “Take the girls and go inside, lock the door and call Sherriff Jenkins,” Lucy said calmly. She didn’t want to panic the children, and she needed Nicole to do just what she said, to keep the girls safe, as well as the baby and herself.
“What are you going to do?” Nicole asked her.
“Nothing, I’m just going to keep him distracted so that you and the children stay safe,” she replied, reaching over and stroking her belly, making sure she was clear about the baby. “All of you stay safe.”
Lucy climbed out of the car and put herself between him and the door. Nicole ushered the children out of the vehicle and straight into the cabin, already on her phone to the sheriff’s office. She watched through the window as Paul Nixon climbed out of his vehicle, and she stayed on the line with the Sherriff’s department just in case. Her heart was racing. Storm took the twins and switched the TV on. She down next to them, but her eyes darted across the room to where her mother stood watching the scene outside. The police were on their way, and Lucy said she would protect them, but even still, it terrified her that he was here, again. She kept watching her mother’s reaction for any sign that they were in danger, that Lucy had failed in her promise.
Outside, Lucy had not moved. “You are not allowed to be here,” she said to him firmly. Standing to her full height, she planted her feet solidly. She wasn’t budging, and he wasn’t going to be passing. Not today, or any other day.
“Says who? You? You think you can tell me what I can and can’t do?” he sneered at her. He looked like a caricature of himself, his face contorted with anger, his clean-cut image long gone under an unshaved chin and dishevelled hairstyle that had grown and now looked messy and unkempt. Remnants of a black eye from his previous visit splashed red and purple across his nose.
“Actually, yes. This is my property, and I know full well you have been instructed to stay away.”
“I don’t give a fuck what you know full well, dyke. I want my kids and that slut of a wife, and I want them now.” He smirked. The man was a moron if he really thought he could turn up like this and just make demands. Lucy felt the tug of a smile start to appear on her face as she realised just how stupid he really was.
“Do yourself a favour, get back in your car and leave,” she said, turning to walk away.
“Don’t turn your back on me, bitch!” he shouted. She stopped in her tracks and slowly twisted back to face him. Something about her made him pause; it was the look in her eyes. A look that told him she was done playing nice. She had something worth protecting now, and she would. She stepped towards him and he moved back a step. He could still feel the pain of the punch she threw last time.
“I won’t tell you again.” She spoke quietly, almost menacingly. “Get off my property.”
“I want—” he began.
“You want what?” she smirked. “She doesn’t want you, the kids don’t want you. So, there is nothing for you to want.”
“She owes me,” he growled. His face contorted more. She couldn’t see anything redeemable about this man.
“Owes you?” she snorted desirously at him. “What could she possibly owe you? You beat her black and blue, you fleeced her for every penny to gamble with.” He looked suitably ashamed for all of a second and then it hit her, how to get rid of him. “I have an offer for you. Tomorrow, be at our lawyer’s office in town, and I’ll pay you to sign those documents,” she offered.
“Fuck you!” he screamed, taking a step towards her, but the sounds of sirens in the background spooked him. “We’re not done!” he shouted as he climbed into the driver’s seat of his car.
“10 a.m., I’ll be there,” she shouted to him. He drove off, dust billowing out behind as his wheels spun in the dirt.
When it was clear he had gone, Nicole ran from the cabin and straight into Lucy’s arms. She held Nic
ole tight. This man would not hurt her again, not while Lucy was breathing. “Oh God I was so scared, are you alright?”
“I’m fine babe, he has no control here.”
Nicole tried to smile. She wanted so much to believe Lucy when she said things like that, but she knew Paul, she knew him well, and one thing he wasn’t was a quitter.
By the time the police cruiser arrived, Paul Nixon was well gone. Lucy gave the officer all the details anyway, further evidence logged against him.
“We will do a drive-by every hour for the rest of today, but any sign of him and you contact us instantly,” the officer said, tucking his notepad back inside his breast pocket. “Any sign of this jerk and we will take him in.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter Forty -Two
The rest of the evening had been a quiet affair. It had taken a while to calm Storm down. She was worried that her father would appear in the middle of the night and snatch her from her bed. But, eventually, she had fallen asleep wrapped in Lucy’s arms on the couch. Lucy carried her to her room and got her settled under the covers.
“I promise you, I will protect you,” she whispered to the sleeping child. She closed the door quietly and returned to the living room to find Nicole yawning. She reached out her hand and led her lover to the bedroom. An early night for all of them would probably be a good idea.
“I told him to meet me tomorrow,” Lucy said quietly as they undressed and got ready to climb under the covers.
“What?” Nicole said, instantly panicked by the idea of Lucy dealing with Paul again. “What do you mean?”
“I told him to meet me at the lawyer’s office in the morning and that,” she considered how to say this without upsetting Nicole, “I said I would pay him to sign the papers.”
Nicole turned slowly to face Lucy and make sure she heard correctly. “Pardon?”
“I said…”
“I heard what you said. Just how much are you intending to pay him?” she said with a slight tilt of her head. “I mean, what am I worth, Lucy?” Lucy was confused at her remarks; that wasn’t her intention. She just wanted to be rid of him, and the easiest way to do it was to pay him.
The Meant to Be Collection Page 20
