The Meant to Be Collection

by Claire Highton-Stevenson

  “I am not buying you,” Lucy said, turning the cover back and climbing onto the bed. The sheets were cool against her skin as she slid between them.

  “Aren’t you?” She had already been owned once. People paid for possessions, didn’t they? Things had price tags, not people. She didn’t want to react like this, didn’t want to accuse Lucy of such things and yet, she couldn’t stop herself. She was angry. She was hurt. Didn’t Lucy understand how this looked?

  “No!” Lucy answered instantly.

  “How much?” Nicole demanded as she too pulled the covers back, but she didn’t climb into bed just yet. Instead she stood, glaring at Lucy for an answer.

  “I don’t know. Look, I’m not buying you or the girls. I’m buying you a divorce and your freedom,” Lucy answered. Her eyes had misted over. She could feel the tears pricking and ready to roll wretchedly down her cheeks.

  “I can’t believe you would do this.” Nicole finally climbed into bed, bashing her pillows hard as she set them upright, no longer feeling tired.

  Lucy turned to her, her eyes boring into her. “I would do whatever it takes to keep you safe and happy and give you back your independence,” Lucy said firmly as she held Nicole’s gaze. “Whatever it takes! And money is easier and quicker than murdering him.”

  “Don’t even joke about that.”

  “Who said I’m joking,” she replied seriously. They sat in silence for a few moments before Lucy spoke once more. “I love you, I love our girls, and I want them to be free of this torment, and if it takes every penny I have to do it for them and for you then so be it.” Lucy took Nicole’s hands, kissing her knuckles. “You mean so much more to me than any amount of money ever could. I would rather be penniless than without you.”

  The tears that had threatened finally spilled over. Her heart felt like it would implode. All she wanted to do was to protect her family. Because that’s what they were now, her family.

  “You would do that for me?” Nicole finally said. It was still so difficult to really accept that anyone would love her so much that they would do anything for her. With Paul, everything had been about money. How much he earnt, how much she could or couldn’t spend, how much he owed. But Lucy would give away her last penny so she could be free. It was such a contrast.

  “Don’t you know that by now?” Lucy smiled. “I am besotted with you, with us, with our family,” she said as she reached out to touch Nicole’s pregnant tummy, always including every member of this family they were creating. Nicole looked away, her own tears readying to fall. She felt a little ashamed at her reaction to Lucy’s solution.

  “Can I come?” she asked. Lucy must have looked confused, because she clarified, “To the lawyer’s office…when you meet him, can I be there?”

  “Of course, if that’s what you want?”

  “I do want.” She paused. “I want him to see I am not frightened of him. That he has no control over me anymore.”

  Lucy smiled at that, oh god did she smile. “Yeah, you show that bastard.”

  ~E&F~

  They were woken an hour or so later by Storm crying out in her sleep. Lucy was up and on her feet in seconds, telling Nicole to stay put and go back to sleep.

  Opening the door to Storm’s room, she could see the little girl sitting up in bed with her knees drawn up to her chin. When she saw the door opening, she had scrambled up the bed, crying out in fear until she was sure that it was Lucy, and then she reached out her arms to her. Lucy moved as speedily as she could to the bed, tiny limbs wrapping around her neck in an instant. She lifted her and then carried her back to her own room, shushing her and soothing her until she quieted down and her cries became whimpers as she snuggled into Lucy’s neck. Nicole pulled back the cover and Lucy lowered them both into the bed, placing her gently between them. Storm rolled over and burrowed into her mother, her sobs now just stuttering breaths.

  “It’s okay baby. Lucy is going to fix everything tomorrow,” Nicole soothed, her hand stroking down Storm’s back as her eyes fixed with Lucy, an unspoken acknowledgement that she was now completely onboard with whatever Lucy needed to do to remove that man from their life, for good.

  There were no more nightmares that night.

  Lucy lay awake for a while, contemplating the day’s events. How fabulous Storm was, how she had evolved over the summer from this shy bookworm to a confident performer. And now, after tonight and her father’s visit, she was back to being a frightened little girl. She wouldn’t allow it to happen again; they had worked so hard on this, every one of them had demons to face, and they were facing them together. Paul Nixon wasn’t going to ruin it. She didn’t care the financial cost.

  “What are you thinking about over there?” Nicole said quietly in the dark. She had been lying awake herself, unable to drop the image of Paul outside their home, how Storm had instantly retreated back into her shell.

  “How did you know I was awake?” Lucy said, smiling she turned to face her lover in the darkness.

  “Your breathing is different when you are asleep. So, what were you thinking about?” She didn’t mention that she was adept at listening to his breathing to judge when he was asleep and it was safer for her, that she could tell the difference between sleeping and passed out, or awake and lying in wait.

  “You. The girls. Us. How great Storm was today.” She paused before adding, “Him!”

  “I’ve spent many nights doing that,” Nicole said, reaching her hand across Storm’s sleeping body to touch Lucy.

  Lucy grasped Nicole’s fingers between her own and squeezed as they lay in silence for a moment.

  “Have you thought of any names yet?” Nicole asked Lucy.

  “Names?”

  “For the baby.” She chuckled.

  “No, I assumed you—” She didn’t get to finish.

  “Lucy, this is our baby, not mine. I want you to have input on everything.”

  “Oh, okay. Hmm well, it has to be something that matches the other three.” Lucy’s eyes began to close as she thought about naming their child.

  “Night, darling,” Nicole whispered, happy to have gotten Lucy’s train of thought back on a good track.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Sitting in the office of Agnes Danson at 10 a.m. precisely, they waited. Lucy had called Agnes the previous evening and informed her of the idea she had to offer Nixon a payoff. Agnes made sure to have all the paperwork in place. All that was missing was the figure they would agree on, if he turned up.

  At 10 minutes past the hour, Nicole was ready to go. Her left leg bounced gently up and down to no particular rhythm.

  “He isn’t coming, we should just go,” she said to Lucy and then to Agnes. Her anxiety levels were spiking and the longer they waited, the more she was losing her confidence.

  “Five more minutes babe, okay?” Lucy said gently. She placed her palm gently on Nicole’s thigh, calming the uncertain bounce. “He will come, I’m sure of it.”

  Nicole got up and paced around the room. She filled a polystyrene cup with water from the chilled fountain in the corner and had just sat down again when there was a gentle knock on the door. When it opened, one of Agnes’ secretaries entered and introduced the arrival of Paul Nixon. Nicole felt her heart beat faster, and she realised she was holding her breath until she caught sight of him. And then all the fear dissipated in an instant.

  He looked like he had slept in the car. Still unshaven and wearing the same clothes as the day before, he looked like someone sleeping rough. Like someone who didn’t have the money to spare to get a hotel room. Lucy relaxed a little more. This plan was going to work, she knew it.

  “Mr. Nixon, thank you for joining us this morning,” Agnes Danson said, reaching across to shake his hand and offer him a seat.

  He looked at Nicole and just glared, a deep penetrating stare that on any other day would have unnerved her, but today she could feel Lucy’s hand back on her knee, anchoring her, reminding her she was safe, that Lucy would not allo
w anything to happen here. So, for the first time, she held his stare, her face neutral and composed. When he looked away first, she felt a small victory that boosted her confidence.

  “Let’s begin then, shall we?” Agnes said to the room.

  “Yes, let’s do that. I have an offer—” Lucy began, but Nixon had other ideas.

  “I don’t care what you have to say or what offer you have,” he said loudly, his voice gruff and mean. “You want to buy my wife and kids, then it’s going to cost you.”

  “I don’t wish to buy Nicole or the girls. I’m buying Nicole her freedom from you,” Lucy countered. “Now, I want to offer—” Again, she was cut off from speaking any further.

  “No,” his voice boomed as he banged his fist on the table. Nicole flinched. “You don’t get to make any offers here. I will tell you what I want, and if you can’t pay then I walk out of here without signing anything, and I will be going for full custody,” he sneered, his gaze drifting back toward Nicole. This time it was her that looked away.

  “Fine, go ahead. What do you want? What is it going to take?” Lucy spoke calmly. This man really was a prick. A look of victory crossed his face as he sat a little taller and adjusted his tie. When he spoke next, he spoke only to Nicole.

  “I want 10 grand.” He spoke slowly and enjoyed watching his wife squirm. Nicole sucked in a breath and waited because she knew he wasn’t finished. “For each of them.” He then turned his attention to Lucy. “And that includes the little bastard she is carrying.” Switching back to Nicole he said, “You thought I wouldn’t notice you’ve gotten fat again?”

  “Shut the fuck up, Arsehole,” Lucy said, standing quickly. Her leg ached with the sudden movement, but it wouldn’t stop her from punching him square in the face again.

  “Oh, big bad butch going to put me in my place, huh?” he said, laughing. “Sit down and give me my money.” She stared at him for a full minute before finally she sat back down in her chair and regarded him once more. He really wasn’t bright, but he clearly figured with witnesses around that he was safe. He was wrong, but she let him think it.

  “Fifty thousand dollars? That’s what you want?” she asked, her face neutral. She wanted him to think that she was thinking about it. But there was nothing to think about; she would give him the money.

  He sat back in his chair and leered at her. “That’s right, fifty big ones.”

  Lucy nodded to Agnes. “Fine, now sign the paperwork.”

  Agnes passed across the divorce papers, and he paused before picking up a pen and signing. He couldn’t believe how easy it was; to be fair, he didn’t think she would have the funds, and he kicked himself for not asking for more. But, his luck was riding today.

  “And I’ll double it if you sign away your parental rights to all children born or unborn between you and Nicole.” Nicole gasped; she hadn’t been expecting that. Paul Nixon’s eyes lit up at the prospect of doubling his money. He didn’t even have to think about it.

  “Fine. Where do I sign?” he said to Agnes, who passed him another document that he signed and dated.

  It was done. Nicole and the girls were finally free – well, almost.

  “You’ll also understand, Mr. Nixon, that the restraining order stays in place and that you are not to go within 500 feet of your ex-wife and her family, including Ms. Owen.”

  He nodded at Agnes. “Sure, sure, whatever.” He grinned at the lawyer before turning his attention to Lucy. “Well, it was great doing business with you.” He smirked as she stood.

  “Oh, the pleasure was all mine.” She smiled, unable to hide her glee any longer. “It’s just a shame you didn’t let me make my offer first.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure we saved a lot of time without me having to turn you down.”

  Nodding, she laughed and couldn’t help herself. She held up the cheque with her offer on it.

  “I was willing to give you one million,” she said as she tore it up and looked at Nicole, whose mouth was now agape. “And I would have paid whatever it took to make her happy and keep those children safe from a monster like you. You don’t deserve to breathe the same air as them, you worthless piece of shit.”

  He moved the pieces of paper, picking up the tiny piece that had the sum written on it, and looked again. Rage instantly reared its ugly head. His whole face reddened and his eyes bulged as he launched himself at her.

  “You bitch!” he snarled.

  She dodged him by moving to her left, and he fell to the floor. A crumpled heap of crap, in Lucy’s opinion.

  “Twice I tried to give you that offer and you told me to shut up, Mr. Big Balls. So, do not complain, you got exactly what you asked for.” And with that, they walked out of the office with the sound of Agnes reminding him again about the restraining order and that he would be arrested if he remained in town for any longer than 10 minutes.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  The room was warm, the bed was inviting, and both women came together, naked and wanting. Nothing was going to spoil it.

  Nicole writhed against the sheets, her fingers clutching at Lucy as she brought her to orgasm for the second time since they had arrived home.

  She was euphoric, both physically and emotionally, all because of the woman currently between her thighs, loving her in the most intimate of ways. “Lucy.” Her name tumbled from her lips in a whisper. Her back arched and her baby bump rose higher as she felt the delicious feeling of absolute love wash over her. “Don’t stop,” she begged. She could do that now: ask for what she needed. She could give and take with her lover and enjoy all the in-betweens.

  For the first time, she was enjoying being pregnant. Her last two pregnancies had been awkward. He had gone from being violent and mean to leaving her alone, and that included sex. Her body had been primed and she was more aroused than ever, but she had nobody to enjoy that with. Not that she wanted him pawing at her and slobbering all over her for his own satisfaction. Until now – now she had Lucy, and Lucy made everything about being pregnant exciting.

  Long gone was the body-shamed fear that she carried. She wasn’t fat, she was pregnant, and she loved it. Loved her new shape as the baby grew and her stomach stretched. Loved the way that Lucy would caress her and enjoy her. Even when Lucy was tired and Nicole had woken in the middle of the night with a sudden urge to make love, Lucy had never turned away.

  Right now, her hormones were hypersensitive, and she was going to make the most of it.

  Scrabbling up the bed for post-coital snuggles, Lucy found a home in Nicole’s arms. She could curl herself around her and fall into a feeling of utter bliss, the outside world banished.

  “We need to get up soon,” Lucy said, her words a whisper as her lips pressed gently against the soft skin they rested upon.

  “I know.” Summer and Rain were with Rita. They would just about have time to go into town and pick up groceries before Storm would be finishing school too. “I still can’t believe he has gone.”

  “Forever babe, it’s just us now. Us and our girls.” Lucy hummed as she thought about that. Her girls. She never really imagined she would have a family. She was far too young to even consider it when she was with Nicky, and all those years in between, it had all just seemed so pointless. But now…now was a different time, and she was a different person.

  ~E&F~

  Storm was quiet on the ride home. The previous night’s events when her father had arrived out of the blue had scared her. She had been clingy again that morning, not wanting to let go of Lucy’s hand at the school gates.

  Eventually, she had been persuaded that she would be safe at school. Lucy was angry on her behalf, however. Just 24 hours ago, she had been the happiest kid in town. Getting up on stage and confronting her fears the way she had had been a miracle, and now she was back to square one. All because Paul Nixon was a selfish pig of a man.

  Now though, Nicole had had the last laugh, and they couldn’t wait to share the good news with their eldest daughter.

  Sum
mer and Rain had lots to talk about on the way home. Their day had been eventful. Apparently, Summer had a boyfriend, and Rain wasn’t impressed with him at all.

  “He is very loud and he wants to be with Summer all the time,” Rain complained. “Now I don’t have anyone to play with.”

  “Yes, you do,” Summer argued. “Anoki wants to play with you.”

  “Yeah but…” Lucy watched them both through the mirror as she drove. Rain had her hands out palm up as she tried to explain her point. “You’re my sister.”

  Storm’s head twisted back and forth between them.

  “I know… doesn’t mean we can’t have other friends.”

  “Fine. Tomorrow I will play with Noki and see if I care.”

  “Why don’t you all just play together?” Storm said, ever the grown-up. Rain and Summer considered this option before both agreeing that was a better way.

  “Well, I am glad we sorted that out,” Nicole said, as the car drove them all home with Lucy smiling at the helm.

  ~E&F~

  The cabin was alive with noise as the twins ran back and forth playing some kind of chase game they had invented. Lucy chased after them while Nicole took Storm by the hand and led her outside.

  “How are you feeling now?” she asked her eldest. Her palm stroked Storm’s cheek gently.

  “I’m ok, I guess.” She shrugged.

  “Really? You seem a little quiet still.”

  Storm didn’t reply; instead, she just looked forwards, towards the lake.

  “So, today Lucy and I…We met your father.” Two watery eyes looked up at her in fear. “It’s ok,” Nicole reassured her quickly. “We met him because, well…we agreed that we’re going to get divorced.”

  “For real?”

  Nicole nodded and smiled. “Yes, for real, but that’s not all,” she continued. Pulling a piece of paper from her bag, she passed it across to Storm. “This piece of paper says that from now on, your father isn’t allowed to come anywhere near you.” She passed the second sheet across. “And this one…this means that he has no rights to you or your sisters…or this one.” She rubbed her tummy. “Legally, he isn’t your parent anymore.”