by S. P. West
“Hey!” Alex pouts, “it was supposed to be romantic.”
“Sounding like you were murdering a cat?”
“While singing your favorite songs? Yes.” He chuckles tightening his arms around me as he kisses the top of my head. I smile into his chest, breathing in his scent.
“So what are you doing here? I thought you’d gone fishing.” I pull away from his warmth so that I can up at him.
“I may have told you a little white lie.”
“Alex,” I warn, “no secrets. No lies. Remember?”
“I hope that you’ll forgive me for this one.” He smiles down at me.
“And that is?”
“I am on vacation until I can start my new job.”
“You’ve got a new job!” I squeal in excitement. “Where?”
“Here.”
“Here in Brighton here?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my…”
“That’s why I’ve not been around; I’ve been sorting out the move.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to wait until my visa came through and more importantly I wanted to surprise you.” He grins.
“You’ve done that alright.” I can’t stop smiling, happy that Alex is here, that he’s turned his life upside down so that he could be with me. “What about you--”
“Shhhh,” he places a soft kiss on my lips, keeping his voice low. “Everyone is happy for me…for us”
“So where? What?” I have so many questions to ask. He cuts me off mid question by placing his finger on my lips effectively shutting me up.
“I’ll answer all your questions later, right now however” he says letting me go as he starts to lower himself onto one knee. People all around us stop and stare, I hear some gasps coming from some of the ladies in the crowd. Both my hands cover my mouth as he produces a wooden ring box engraved with the words ‘will you marry me?’.
“Summer Sullivan. You are my sun, my moon and my stars and I’m sorry that I didn’t hold on to that. I swear to you in front of all these people and Violet.”
“You better treat her right, Thorson.” I look up to see Vi waving her fingers at me, as she stares daggers at Alex, “Otherwise your nuts are mine.”
Alex clears his throat, turning round to look at Vi then turns back to me shaking his head in amusement. “I swear that I will never hurt you like that again. I lost you once; my life wasn’t worth living without you. If you’ll have me, if you’ll give me a second chance then I will spend whatever time I have left on this planet loving and adoring you.,” He takes a deep breath as he looks deep into my eyes with pure, unadulterated love. “Will you marry me…again?”
“Yes…yes I will!” I beam as he takes my left hand, placing a ring on my finger. People are cheering and applauding as Alex stands, taking me in his arms and kissing so hard that I see stars. Tears of joy trickle down my face, my cheeks ache from smiling so much. I have never been happier.
“You did good Cockwomble,” Violet yells out. I look up to see her clutching on to a pharmacy bag for dear life as she jostled by the old lady next to her. The devious cow obviously knew about this in advance, judging from the huge smirk on her face. She turns to the crowd; “you can all piss off now,” she says as she starts to shoo them away.
Alex places his arm around me as we start to walk in the direction of the store. I admire my ring.
“Alex?”
“Yes, baby.” His voice low as he nuzzles my neck.
“How did you…?” I hold my hand up for a closer look. “This is--”
“Your original engagement ring. Yeah.”
“How?”
“I have my ways,” he says mysteriously opening the door to the store for me. “and a private detective.” Alex grins, sheepishly as he takes my hand in his. “I started searching for it when you told me you sold it.”
“Why?”
“When I gave that to you all those years ago, I made a promise, to love you forever. I fucked that one up and I lost you.” Alex stops placing both his hands on the side of my face, “finding your ring was one way of showing you that I would move heaven and earth to make up for my mistakes. I don’t think that I will ever stop trying to make it up to you. I mean what I say this time… you and me, forever.”
Just as I lean forward to kiss him, the shop door bangs open.
“Okay lovebirds, break it up. No one wants to see you two sucking face.”
“Ha ha ha.”
“Right you.” Ignoring Alex’s sarcastic laugh, she shoves the pharmacy bag in hands. “Toilet. Now.”
“What?”
“Just drink a glass of water and piss on the stick.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Alex asks, looking as bemused as I feel.
“Inside of that bag, tosspot, is a pregnancy test because I do believe that you have bloody well impregnated my friend with your demon spawn.”
“Oh no, no, no.… How the hell did that idea get into your head?” I’m completely baffled over how she came to the conclusion that I could possibly be pregnant. I’ve had my periods regularly. Except last….
Oh.
“Let me see – feeling sick, eating like a horse, complaining that your boobs hurt, that everything smells bad and that you cried when we were watching The Antiques Roadshow the other week.”
“It was sad story.” I say completely in denial.
“They were valuing a table.” She arches her eyebrow, pointing her finger at the door. “Now get.”
I turn to look at Alex; His normally tanned face has suddenly paled yet there is a small smile forming on his face.
“Do you want me to come with you?” He offers.
“No, keep Vi company.”
“Anything but that. Seriously, I rather to come with you.” Alex whisper shouts.
“I heard that, dickhead.”
“You were meant to. Anyway, don’t you have somewhere else to be I hear OZ is missing a witch.”
“Ohhhhh…”
I grab the bag and head to the ladies while they stand there bickering like children.
A little while later and feeling like that I have landed on another planet, I head into the back room to find Alex and Violet waiting; expectation written all over their faces.
“Well?” They say while in jumping up unison as soon as they see me.
I take a deep breath and hold out my hand to Alex, who pulls me into his arms with a smile, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“Am I going to be a daddy?”
“Yes.” I grin. “You’e going to be a daddy.”
“Baby,” He picks me up and twirls me around laughing; his expression is one of sheer joy. “You have made me the happiest man on earth right now.”
“Oh my god!” Vi squeals surprising the hell out of Alex and me squeezing him in death grip as soon as he sets me down. “I’m going to be an aunty!” She laughs wiping away tears as she hugs me. “This is a cause for celebration, it’s not often you get engaged and find you’re having a baby on the same day. Celina!!!” She yells, “close the shop we’re off down the pub.”
“I think that we may have a private celebration,” Alex says looking at me like I’m the most precious thing in his world.
“In that case Celina and I will have drink in your honor.” She smiles, kissing me on the cheek then heading to the door. “Have fun.”
I look up at Alex unable to wipe the smile off my face.
“Are you sure you’re happy Mr. Thorson?”
“Extremely happy Mrs. Thorson.”
“Not yet, I’m not,” I smile, “you haven’t sealed the deal.”
He his eyes dance with amusement. “Violet told me that you’re owed a vacation.”
“Huh?” Confused at his sudden change of subject,
“So I was thinking that I’d book us a little get away to celebrate our good news.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll leave as soon as possible; get a last minute flig
ht out.”
“Sounds good to me. Where are we going?”
“Vegas.” He whispers it in my ear, nestling me against him. “We’re going to Vegas.”
Four years ago, the love of my life broke my heart.
Today it’s finally been made whole again.
“So they got married, Mom?” Ami grinned.
“Yes they did honey.” Carmela smiled back at her nine-year-old daughter as they flipped through the pages of the scrapbook that had arrived that afternoon.
On the page below where photographs of a smiling blonde couple as they said their vows in front of Elvis.
“And they’re having a baby?”
“They are.”
“Is that what that blob is in that photo?”
“It’s called a sonogram sweetheart.”
“Aww I wonder if they’ll call her Ami.”
“They might have a boy.”
“Nah, it’ll be a girl.” Ami yawns. “I told you that wishes come true,” she mutters as her eyes start to close.
“Night, baby girl,” Carmela whispers, watching her daughter for a moment before quietly pulling the door shut. She walks into the living room, the scrapbook tucked tightly under her arm. Carmela intended to place it on the table so that Ami could have another look at it; she was impressed that the handsome blond man from all those years ago had remembered his promise to a little girl who believed in fairy tales.
Instead, she opened the scrapbook flicking to the last page smiling as she read what was written underneath the last picture.
And they lived happily ever after.
The End
They say it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes a community of people to help a first time author publish a book. With the help and support of some awesome, wonderful people I’ve managed to finish it.
I have so many to say thank you to, I hope I get you all (apologies if I don’t!).
So without further ado a great big and very big thank you goes out to:
The boys and girls of Fifty Shades of Fan fiction group and all the friends I’ve made there. (FB will never take us down!)
Carol, Darcy, Pam, Paula, Sasha, Julie, Jaqueline, Carmela for your support. Thank you Carol and Vip for the research!
Annette (A.C. Netzel) Thank you for all your advice. I am forever indebted.
Krispy (Kirsty-Ann Still for letting me pick your brains and all your encouragement to keep going. I would have given up a long time ago without you. xxx
(Check out Kirsty and A.C. Netzel on Goodreads!!)
Penelope Douglas for being an inspiration and giving the world Jared and Tate.
JoJo, Jen, Carole, Michelle, Shona and Hayley for giving me so much encouragement when I told you I was writing a book and when I showed you the first few chapters.
My big sister Janet for being my personal cheerleader and being proud of me. To my cousin Nikki for your honest opinions and not laughing when I told you I was writing a book. I love you both.
The fantastic Lydia Cothran and Katie Anderson. Two amazing people who have been so supportive and who kept me going. Thank you truly for all that you have done to help; for having faith in me and my story and for betaing. I can’t thank you ladies enough.
To Elaine Coates, my other beta for picking up mistakes that I’d missed. You have an amazing pair of eyes!
To the lovely Janese for her time and patience.
To my cat. Trevor, for keeping me company while I shut myself away.
My sister from another mister, Kerri for everything really. I cannot begin to tell you how much Kerri has been there for me and what she has done. From being my sounding board to encouraging me to keep writing, to giving me confidence to publish, for Word…. the list is endless, Love you and Smells xx
My wonderful mum, my staunchest defender - who gave me my love of reading romance novels and who has always been proud of me no matter what. Love you much Mum xx
My brother Neil for your love and support and for indulging me by buying the book cover.
My beautiful daughter, my little pixie. I started writing this before you were born – that’s how long it has taken mummy! I’ve watched you grow into a funny, sweet little girl in that time. You are the sunshine in my life. I love you best in the world, best in the universe.
My husband and love of my life, Matt. For his love, his support, his funny little additions when I’ve left the screen open. The one about the space ninjas was my favourite. For looking after pickle while I wrote, for indulging me in my flights of fancy. You make me laugh, at times you infuriate me but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Love chu xx
And finally to you, dear reader, for taking a chance and reading this book. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Life Without You. It has been a real labour of love for me. Almost four years in the making because, quite frankly, I write slower than a sloth at bedtime. I’m also terrible at getting distracted… look squirrel!
S.P. West lives in a house by the sea with her husband, daughter and her two cats.
From a young age she has made up little stories in her head, often to alleviate boredom. When she grew up and started working in the corporate world these stories continued dancing around her mind, often while speaking to a client.
One day, our fair maiden, decided to try her hand at writing a short story. This led to another and another until one day she decided to write a full length novel. This is that book.
S.P. is an avid romance and fan fiction reader, former belly dancer and a massive daydreamer with her head in the clouds.
Life Without You is her first novel.
If you liked Life Without You, please don’t hesitate to contact S.P. West; honestly she doesn’t bite. Much.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/authorspwest
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorspwest
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/SPWest
Thank you for reading and don’t forget to review!
