by Lesley Jones
“Good morning baby, are you okay?”
I blink a few times and smile at him
“Good morning yourself handsome. No I feel like shit”
“What was going on last night, what were you dreaming about?”
He pulls me over into his arms as I rest my head on his chest.
“I have no idea, I think in one of them, I couldn't find you anywhere and I was being inspected by a crowd of people, I was just panicking. Was I talking?” Shit; I wonder what that was all about?
“You were talking, shouting, crying. I woke you up when you started sounding really upset, are you sure there's nothing bothering you that you wanna tell me about?”
Bless him, he looks and sounds really worried. I sit up and run my hands through my hair and let out a loud breath.
“There’s plenty that's bothering me but nothing you don't know about”
“Are you sure? What you said last night, things like that really piss me off Lauren”
“What, what did I say?”
“Going on about me not introducing you to my family, that’s what all the nightmares are about, being inspected, really, that’s what you think it’s going to be like? For fucks sake, what do I have to say to get through to you, they can’t wait to meet you and they will love you as much as…..”
He trails off. What Gabe, love me as much as what? My husband of the past twenty odd years obviously didn’t love me, so why should your family? I look at him, probably blankly as I think about this. Perhaps I’m not worthy or deserving of love.
“They will love you as much as Ava does” He whispers as he kisses the top of my head and runs his nose through my hair, making me tingle.
“Stop worrying about it Lauren, you will be fine”
He climbs out of bed; he must have already been up as he's wearing trackies and a hoodie.
“What time were you up?”
“About six, I took Ava to the back beach to surf”
“Ava surfs?”
“Yes Ava surfs, why wouldn’t she? Did you never learn to surf, were you never a Grommet?” He has climbed back into bed and I have curled back around him. He hates it too, like me, he hates when we break contact. If we are in the same room, we have to be touching I have noticed this the past week. It’s like a gravitational pull and as I realise he is affected the same way I am, I feel’ elation, excitement and all warm and fuzzy.
“No, I never learnt to surf and no I was never a Grommet, there really wasn’t a lot of call for surf lessons in Essex. The Thames isn’t really famous for its Barrels or Kegs, more for its Floaters and not the surfing kind, more the condom, turd and shopping trolley kind”
He smiles and shakes his head at me. “That’s gross”
“That’s The Thames, that’s all we had, don’t harsh my mellow man, we made the best of what we had, they were happy days, dude, you really haven’t lived until you have spent a day on Southend Pier and been in the haunted house or on the Helter Skelter”
“I don’t doubt it Lauren. You’re a lucky girl, you’ve experienced life on the Thames and on The Bay”
I suddenly feel shy and silly. He called me a girl.
“I am lucky, although it’s been a while since anybody called me a girl”
He squeezes me tight and kisses my hair.
“Well, you’re my girl, fuck anybody else; I'll go make you a coffee”
I smile up at him, a stupid girly smile, an, I worship you sort of smile, an I am actually going to burst with happiness smile.
“Thanks babe”
I curl up and squeeze myself into a tight ball, as I attempt to wipe the smile off my face and stop the gazillion butterflies that feel like they are flapping, whilst on a spin cycle in my belly.
I can hear the girls chatter coming from the family room. They sound so lively at such an early hour. I pull my knees up to my chin. As elated as I am feeling I think I'm going to need a couple of pain killers with my coffee to help me out of bed today, I need to be feeling tip top when I meet the outlaws later. I call out to Gabe to bring me in some Panadol. The shouting does my head no favors what so ever.
~
By 11.30, the girls are packed and their bags are in the boot of the car, along with our overnight bags. We are all showered and dressed, me in my fifth outfit of the day. As I come out of the walk through wardrobe Ava is laying on our bed.
“Thanks for this week Lauren, we've had an awesome time and I love my bedroom”
"You’re very welcome; it's been great getting to know you”
I walk over and lie on the bed next to her and stroke her hair. It feels so nice to be close to a child. I know she's not mine but she's Gabe’s baby and that is enough for me at the moment. I’ve enjoyed mothering her this week. I feel like a huge part of me is missing when I’m not being a mum. Watching Gabe with her has made my heart swell. I've watched him brush her hair, I've watched her paint his toenails. Yes, really, Starlight Pink being the colour of choice. I've watched them race each other on the beach and him tickle her into hysterics, I've watched him try to tell her no... And fail, pathetically. But most of all, I've seen how close they are, how his eyes light up around her, the look of love and pride in them is undeniable, she has him completely wrapped around her little finger and I've enjoyed being part of and witnessing all of that. She's accepted our relationship and I really hope we can build on one of our own. I tuck her hair behind her ear.
“Is that what you’re wearing?” She asks me. Shit, what's wrong with it, should I change again? Gabe said casual, he's wearing jeans, hoodie and his converse, it’s pretty cool outside so I've gone for jeans tucked into my long tan boots, a cute little peach blouse that I love and a tan leather jacket.
“Yeah, yeah it is, do you not like it then?” I ask, a little disappointed as I thought I had finally nailed it.
“I love it, you look hot, you looked hot in all the other outfits too, I was just asking in case you were going to change again. Jackie is going to be well jel. She always thinks she's the hot one but you’re much hotter and younger and prettier” She kisses my cheek, slides off the bed, saying, “come on we better go, dads whinging that we're gonna be late”
I lay there for a moment, smiling at her words. There's no beating about the bush with Ava, just like her dad, she's straight up, honest and says it exactly as it is.
I decide to ere on the side of caution and dig out some panty liners, pads and a couple of tampons to take with me, just in case. The pain killers have taken the edge off but I can still feel the cramps lurking in the background and the last thing I want is my period to arrive during the afternoon and being unprepared for it. I'm rummaging through my toiletry bag in the bathroom drawer when I get that tingle, he's behind me, I feel him run his hands over my bum cheeks as I'm bending over. I smile as his hands come around and cup my boobs as he grinds himself into me from behind. I turn around as I stand up straight and hook my arms around his neck, not missing an opportunity, he grinds in to me from the front now and because of the heels on my boots, he hits me right on that sweet, sweet spot between my legs and I instinctively flex my hips and grind back. It feels delicious! We haven't made love since yesterday morning, the longest it's been since I've stayed here. My cheeks are burning with embarrassment, I am so horny around him, all day, all of the time. He kisses my neck and draws in a breath.
“You smell so good, you look so good, I have got the biggest boner”
I pull his head back by his hair and kiss his throat. I’m just glad I don’t have a dick, because I reckon I would have a bigger boner than he does right now. Is that wrong?
“I thought you were whinging that we were going to be late?” I sigh the words more than say them. I would much prefer to spend the rest of the day curled up in bed with him and just the thought of this forces my eyes to close.
“I was, I am, we are but I just wanted to let you know how hot you look and how much I would like to fuck you right now. What are you looking for?”
“Tampons” I say, smiling at him sweetly. Hold on to your hat Wilde. You haven't lived until you've lived with me and pms!
“Tampons? You got your period?”
“Not yet but I've got cramps and as we're staying overnight, I thought I had better be prepared”
“Right, have you got some?”
“Yeah, just found them, it's been a while since my last one so I had to hunt for them but all sorted now”
He kisses my forehead and leads me out of the bathroom by my hand. I throw my collection of tampons, liners, and pads into my bag and we head off.
~
Gabe’s car is a two door thing but pretty roomy once we are all in. As we pull out onto the esplanade, I ask “what is this?”
“What is what?”
“This car, what sort is it, I mean, I know it’s a BMW, but what type of BMW is it? Apart from being a red one”
“A red one?” he repeats with a smile on his face “Ava tell Lauren the specs on the car”
“It's a 2012 6 series 4.4 650I M Sport Steptronic F13, 2 Door Auto Coupé and yes your right Lauren, it is red” We all start to laugh, them at me, me at myself!
“How do you know all of that, are you some kind of rev head?” I ask her.
“Yeah a bit, Mums husband Dean is a mechanic, I used to help him sometimes, and I just got to like cars. It was me that told dad to buy this; he had a crappy old Audi before”
“Ahhh a crappy old Audie, how terrible?”
I shake my head laughing. I would be happy with a crappy old Audi any day.
~
Mr. Wilde Snr lives on the Beach Road in Brighton. The house is enormous, very modern looking and spread over three floors. There are already a half dozen cars on the drive but Gabe has no problem sliding into a spot. He seems to be good at sliding into just about anything, especially me I think to myself and instantly blush. I step out of the car and turn to move the seat to let Sophie out, who's been sitting behind me. Gabe is doing the same for Ava and I can feel his eyes on me, over the top of the car.
“What?” He asks, frowning and smiling at me. I just smile back and shake my head. As we walk towards the house, Gabe puts his arm around me and gives me a kiss, for reassurance I think.
“Please Dad, would you get a room. Lauren is going to have pash rash and it won't go unnoticed by Jackie.You know that”
“And what exactly would you know about pash rash young lady, how many boys that shave have you ever kissed?” Gabe asks, and I get the feeling, he's serious and definitely not joking. Ava turns around and looks at him, one hand on her hip. Steely blue eyes into steely blue eyes, shit, sparks are going to fly. He’s bristling, he stops in his tracks waiting for her answer and I can feel the tension in him
“Actually” she says and I hear and feel him draw in a breath and hold it as he waits for her to continue. I squeeze his hand.
“About the same amount as you have” she laughs and sticks her tongue out at him. He closes his eyes, letting out his breath, I loosen my grip on his hand, both our palms are sweaty. He looks down at me and we both shake our heads
“Oh she is so going to keep you on your toes Gabriel Wilde”
“Fuckin tell me about it, that's two of you I have running rings around me now”
That makes me catch my breath. It makes me feel... Special?
Ava and Sophie have gone, I can hear her calling
“Pops? The party can start now, I'm here, your favorite grandchild, Pops where are you?”
“You ready for this?” He rubs his thumb back and forth over my knuckles as he looks down at me.
“As I’ll ever be” I smile as I speak. We move towards the door, and then he stops and pulls me back.
“I’ve never done this either Lauren, I’ve taken women on dates to work functions that my family have met and obviously they met Nina, but never like this, I’ve never bought anyone to my Dads house to meet my family, I just want you to know that”
Shit, don’t let me cry, not now, I have mascara on, I will look a mess. I swallow and simply nod, too scared to attempt speech, in case the tears escape.
~
Charlie's house is set out similar to Gabe’s, with the living areas upstairs so as to be able to enjoy the views. He leads us up and into the huge open kitchen/family room. I try straight away to work out who is who before the introductions start. Gabe’s Dad is on us instantly. He gives Gabe a hug, and then turns straight to me.
“This is Lauren dad, my erm…” He looks at me and trails off, “Lauren, my Dad, Charlie Wilde” What’s that all about. What am I then, nothing? Thanks Gabe for the reassurance, just when I needed it most. Cheers. I plaster on my smiley face, after I shoot Gabe a look that lets him know I am well and truly pissed off with him.
Charlie moves straight in for a kiss on the cheek then a handshake.
“Lauren, good to meet you, glad you could make it. Which team do you go for?”
Knowing he was talking about AFL I deliberately say “West Ham, actually”
“Ha, yeah. Don't think they're playing in today's final”
“Well in that case, the Swans”
“No way. You've got to be loyal to your state, it’s gotta be the Hawks”
I know little about Aussie Rules, my Dad, Jay and the boys never followed it, the round ball game of football was more their thing and of course rugby, but the little knowledge I do have, I put to use.
“Well that's true but the Swans were originally South Melbourne Footie Club before they moved to Sydney in the 80’s to promote the game up there”
He looks from me to Gabe and smiles and nods, “ahhh a Pom who knows her Aussie rules, I like it”
Next we say hello to Zac and his wife Sam.
“So, The Angel Gabriel has finally had to do the chasing ehh, Lauren? Good on ya. It's been a pleasure to finally see him fall apart over a woman these past few weeks”
Sam shakes her head at him.
“Sorry Lauren, ignore him, he's just forgotten what that first flush of love is like, not got a romantic bone in his body. It's good to meet you; the pair of you will have to come over for dinner soon”
“Yeah” I say, “thanks, that sounds good” I watch as she touches Gabe on one cheek with her hand and kisses him gently on the other. “You look good Gabe, I'm so pleased to see you this happy” he smiles at her and gives her a hug. Strangely, I don't feel the least bit jealous, it’s more of a brother and sister display of affection between them and it makes me instantly warm to Sam.
Cooper and Jen are equally as nice but I sense Gabe’s nowhere near as close to this sister in law. I hear a commotion behind me and see a young woman coming down the stairs two at a time. She totally ignores Gabe and says, whilst trying to get her breath, “Lauren, oh my God, so good to meet you, I'm Stella” she hugs me before I can reply
“So glad you could make it, would you like a drink? Gabe hi, does Lauren have a drink?” I turn towards him; his eyebrows are raised as he looks at me.
“I'll get you a drink shall I baby?”
“Ohhh I’m your baby now am I? Glad we’re clear on that fact, yes that would be good please; I would love a drink… Baby”
“Lauren, I didn’t know what to say, how to introduce you, you’re more than a girlfriend, much more than that and I didn’t know what title to use to express the fact, I knew you would be pissed at me, sorry”
He shrugs and looks at me from under his lashes, with puppy dog eyes “Forgive me?” He kisses me gently on the mouth.
“Go, get me a wine, then I will think about it” I can’t help but smile as I watch him heading over to the fridge. I realise we have an audience when Zac starts to slow clap.
“Oh my fucking god, I do not believe this, the boy has got it bad, what have you done with my brother Lauren and who’s this pussy?”
Sam slaps Zac gently on the chest as Stella says “I told you, didn’t I, I told you how he sounded on the phone and how he speaks about her” Helloooo I am here.
“He called you baby again” Stella comments, “does he always call you baby, what is it you drink, looks like he's getting you a wine, oh yeah, he had a case of your favorite delivered yesterday, Jackie wasn't pleased. She said there's nothing wrong with the wine that she had bought. So you’re an interior designer? I could use some help with my place, you will have to come and have a look at it for me, I watch the block and all of those make over programs but I just can’t pull it all together, it never looks like it does on TV, mind you, there’s lots of things I’m not too great with, men being the main one of them, you will have to give me some tips on how you do it, you must have something special if you have got my brother falling at your feet, I thought he would just stay a single man whore for the rest of his life” Surely she needs to come up for air soon? I thought I could talk a lot but jeez, I was no competition for Stella. Gabe is back beside me, he passes me my wine, and I take a very large sip as I watch him do the same with his beer. We are leaning back on the huge granite kitchen island, he has his arm around me, and I am leaning into him, for protection possibly. Stella is just watching us intently now. Possibly thinking of her next line of interrogation. The rest of the family have switched their attention to the huge plasma on the wall, they all begin to shout louder and louder at a horse race being shown. Gabe becomes distracted as he cranes his neck to watch. In the end I lead him by the hand over to where he can see the TV. “Is this one of yours?” I ask
“Yeah, we have two racing in Sydney today… Come on!” He yells with the rest of them, I love horse racing when you have a vested interest in a race and the way people cheer their horse on. The whole lot of them gets louder and louder still and then they really shout and cheer as the horse comes in first.
