‘That’ll be Dad,’ I say, walking to the door and opening it, in time to watch him get out of the taxi.
He’s looking good in his tweed suit. He probably changed clothes three times, especially without the help of Mum.
Breathe.
He spots me at the doorway as he pays the driver and waves. ‘Val!’ he shouts with a wide smile.
‘Hi, Dad!’ I shout back, watching him walk up the driveway.
His tall frame is starting to bend a lot more these days. But he has a full head of grey hair and he’s clean shaven, so I think he’s still pretty handsome for an old guy.
We hug and I lead him inside to find Robert uncorking a bottle of red and Abbie in deep conversation with her mum about more wedding plans. When we appear, they all turn with bright smiles and make their way over to greet Dad.
‘Gabriel, how are you?’ Abbie says, stretching both hands out to take hold of Dad’s before giving him a warm hug.
‘’ello, Abbie, you pretty little thing, I’m quite well. And you’re lookin’ well, too!’ Dad hugs her before pulling back to take a long look at her. ‘Oh, you’re really startin’ ter show now,’ he adds proudly.
Abbie smiles like it’s the best compliment she’s ever had. Typical Dad, whose always had a way with the ladies.
‘Er, Dad, this is Abbie’s mum, Gail.’
Dad immediately turns from Abbie and regards her mum. ‘Oh, now I see where Abbie gets her beauty from.’
Gail’s smile widens and her eyes sparkle with appreciation.
Oh, Dad.
‘And this is Robert,’ I say.
‘Oh, pleased ter meet ya, Robert!’ Dad puts out his hand and the men shake with enthusiasm.
‘It’s great to finally meet you, Gabriel,’ Robert says, placing his other hand over Dad’s to ensure the handshake appears heartfelt.
‘Please, Robert, call me Gabe.’
‘Oh, okay, thanks Gabe – please feel free to call me Bob.’
Bob? These guys are definitely hitting it off.
They move over to the bottle of wine and I follow, pouring glasses for everyone, except Abbie before we get comfortable in the lounge. Between taking part in the discussions on everything from Japanese whaling to the two weddings, I keep an eye on the roast.
‘Dinner is ready, if everyone is ready to eat?’ I say, returning to the group from my final dinner assessment.
‘Oh, yum!’ Abbie says, ‘I’m so glad my appetite hasn’t diminished too much, I’ve been looking forward to this.’
Gail gets up from her seat and glances over at Robert, ‘You’ve always had your father’s appetite,’ she laughs and everyone joins in.
∞~∞~∞~∞
When Dad retires for the evening, I come in from sending him home in a taxi, and find Abbie at the dining table in deep discussion with her parents.
‘Abbie, as you know, your mother and I received a rather large sum of money when my father passed away last year,’ Robert says.
Abbie replies softly, ‘Yes, I know, and you and Mum paid your mortgage off.’ She notices me leaning up against the doorframe of the dining room doorway and smiles.
‘Yes, well, we paid off the house and also saved some money for you kids – in a trust fund.’
I’m watching Robert talk, but at the sound of Abbie’s gasp, my heart jumps and I turn my attention to her. Her hands go to her face, covering what I suspect are the tears flowing down her cheeks.
‘You did?’ she asks Robert as she reaches out to take hold of Gail’s hand. ‘You saved money for us? Really?’
‘Of course, honey, you know you kids are just like my own.’ Robert says, placing his hand over Abbie’s which is still clasping her mother’s.
Gail looks up at me with a smile and looks at Abbie in a way only a mother can look at her daughter. ‘Sweetheart, you and Valentine have a baby on the way and a wedding to get through – but more important is a home. We want you kids to be able to bring your first born home to your own house.’
I’m gobsmacked. Utterly. These people amaze the hell out of me.
Abbie looks up at me with a small furrow of her brow, seemingly a little confused. ‘Valentine, did you hear what Dad just said?’
I move over to her and place my hand on her shoulder. ‘Yes, Princess, I did.’
‘It’s not much, Valentine, but it’ll be enough for a deposit on a house,’ Robert offers.
‘I can’t thank you enough,’ I reply, reaching over to shake his hand. Then leaning over, I give Gail a kiss on her cheek. ‘You too, Gail, it’s a huge help.’
Abbie interjects. ‘How much are you talking about? I hope you and Mum have kept enough for yourselves?’
‘We have plenty,’ Robert says, smiling widely. ‘And we’ve got twenty thousand squirrelled away, for each of you kids.’
Chapter 14
Abbie blurts out a sob; rampant emotions seem to escape her composure and she reaches up to grab my hand. ‘Oh, my goodness, Valentine? Did you hear that?’
I smile at her. ‘Yes, I sure did.’ I’m not sure what to do. Jump around the room? Jump on the table? Hug everyone? Who gives twenty thousand away?
‘That’s not all,’ Robert adds. ‘Valentine, I’ve been given a business proposition that you might be interested in too.’
I take a seat next to Abbie and she holds my hand tightly. ‘Thanks, Robert, but I think giving us twenty thousand dollars towards a house is more than enough?’
He lifts his eyebrows and nods. ‘Maybe. But I came across something I think would be a good investment, and you’d be doing me huge favour, if you’d agree to help me out.’
I lean forward, putting my elbows on the table. ‘I’m listening.’
‘How are the car sales going?’ Robert studies me.
‘I could lie and say I love it, but I don’t. Wheeling and dealing isn’t really my thing. Pressure to sell – it’s very different to selling a coffee – but it pays the bills,’ I smile, hoping it covers up my distaste for the job.
Robert grins. ‘I was hoping you’d say that you’d rather be doing something else.’
This comment really grabs my attention. ‘Why’s that?’
‘Oh, a friend of mine from church is selling his coffee van and I was thinking of buying it.’
I smile – widely. ‘That sounds like a good plan.’
‘Only thing is, I don’t know the first thing about making coffee and I’m not really up for running a business at my age – I’m hoping to keep my time free for the grandchildren when they arrive.’ He pauses with a meaningful glance at Abbie, then studies me closer. ‘But that’s where you come in,’ he adds.
I’m suddenly nervous and excited simultaneously – he’s offering me a job. I swallow hard. ‘Me? How’s that?’ I try to sound calm.
‘Well, if I buy the business, I’d need you to make the coffee. Abbie could be the bookkeeper, because she’s very good with that kind of thing.’
‘Dad! You can’t just give us a business!’ Abbie protests, taking Robert’s hand.
‘I’m not giving it to you, per se, I’m employing you and Valentine to run it for me. Eventually, you can buy me out.’
I’m just about jumping out of my skin with excitement, but I try to play it cool. I clear my throat to make sure my voice isn’t going to squeak when I talk. ‘I’d be happy to look after it for you, Robert. But have you looked into the areas which are on offer and financial turnover?’ I want him to understand that I’m serious about the prospect. I’m not here for an easy ride and I’d work hard at making this business venture work – especially for Abbie.
‘Yes, all the accounts seem to be in excellent condition, and there’s areas already set up under a Common Use Agreement with different sites around the Perth CBD. It seems to have come at a perfect time.’ Robert squeezes Abbie’s hand and they trade smiles.
I feel like I’ve won the Lotto. I suppress the urge to jump out of my chair – like they do on T.V – and I hold it together.
I nod in agreement and lean back in the chair. ‘That sounds really good, but it’s a big risk for you to take.’
‘I don’t see it a risk, not really,’ he replies. ‘The way I see it, you love to make coffee – and I hear you’re very talented – and Abbie is extremely good with balancing numbers and talking to people. You’d have Gail and I here, of course, to help out where we could.’
‘Thanks for the vote of confidence,’ I offer a smile. ‘Why’s your friend selling?’
‘They’ve got the same idea as we have – they want more time with their grandchildren. And I think they’d like to travel a bit, before they get too old for it.’
‘Oh.’ I’m stuck for words. Life can really throw some curve balls, can’t it? ‘Okay,’ I add, putting out my hand to shake his. ‘I’m in.’
Robert pushes his chair back and moves towards me with no intention on shaking hands – his arms are held wide open. I stand up and he pulls me into a bear hug, adding a friendly slap on the back.
That’s it. It seems he’s officially ready to let me marry his daughter.
∞~∞~∞~∞
There’s not a lot said after we see her parents off. I think we’re both in shock – I know I am. We tidy up the kitchen; I wash the dishes and Abbie potters around fixing the cushions on the couch and bringing me the empty glasses.
‘I’m going to get ready for bed,’ she says quietly, giving me a kiss on the cheek as I dry my hands on the tea towel.
I know she’s exhausted, but I need her. Right now. All of her.
I turn and pull her into my embrace, clutching her hair in a gentle tug so her lips are brought up to mine. I’m uncomfortably hard and there’s no way I’m letting this go.
I get the reaction I’m hoping for. ‘Mmmm,’ she croons, reaching down to rub her hand over the tight bulge in my jeans.
‘Unzip me.’ I breathe the words out in a low murmur, as our kissing grows desperate. Fuck, I need this.
She obliges and frees me hurriedly from my jeans, before she runs her hand down the shaft of my erection, squeezing firmly, with a yearning I’ve wanted from her for days now. I pull her dress up and lift her onto the kitchen bench in one swift movement.
‘Here?’ she gasps, still letting me run my tongue across her teeth and explore her open mouth.
‘Yes, here. I’ve been dying to do this all night…’
‘I thought so.’ She lets out a small, girlish laugh and pulls me closer, to wrap her legs around my waist.
I can’t believe the high I’m experiencing right now, and I don’t ever want to come down from it.
Chapter 15
We’ve been given twenty thousand dollars and a coffee van to run, and my mind is still reeling over our good luck. I look over at the clock on the bedside table and it’s showing 4:43am. If I were doing my job as a Barista right now, I’d be standing behind a coffee machine with a wide grin and a heady happiness only the aroma of freshly brewed coffee can give you. It’s who I am. It’s the one thing I know I’m good at.
Time to get up.
I look over at Abbie and she’s lying on her side with her hand under her cheek, sleeping peacefully. She hasn’t had much of a chance to tell me how she feels about dinner last night. After the outbreak of passion brought us here, she cried a little and blamed the hormones before falling asleep in my arms. I’m worried about her. She’s been secretive with her lack of appetite, using morning sickness as an excuse and I know she’s been out with her mum a few times, for so-called “normal check-ups” with her doctor. I have noticed her withdrawing a little, but she says it’s just “pregnancy stuff that’s quite normal” and I have resigned myself to agree. It’s been a crazy few weeks and I haven’t helped. My overdose, my emotional breakdown and her attention being stretched between Zane and I has probably exhausted her beyond words. And she doesn’t complain. If she’s feeling unwell or her feet are swollen, I wouldn’t know – that’s really selfish of me.
I move carefully and slide out of bed, so I don’t disturb her. I locate my jeans and t-shirt on the floor and pull them on. I’ll make myself a coffee and cut up some fruit for when Sleeping Beauty wakes – it’s the least I can do.
∞~∞~∞~∞
‘Good morning.’ Abbie yawns as she enters the kitchen.
I’m busy cutting up fruit and I’m surprised to see her up so early –the first coppery light of the sun has just appeared between the grey clouds outside, but I was hoping she’d sleep in until mid-morning at least.
I turn to her, placing the knife down. ‘Good morning, Princess.’ I slide my arms around her and pull her close, breathing in her perfume. ‘Why are you up so early?’
She tenses a little. ‘I couldn’t sleep.’ She buries her face into my chest.
‘Are you okay? Is the baby giving you trouble?’ I ask, pushing her hair back so I can see her face.
She looks up at me with stormy grey eyes and I know there’s something wrong.
‘No, not at all. Well, a little. Just normal stuff really, but it’s getting harder to deal with.’ She hides her face again and I hold her tighter.
I pull back from her after a couple of minutes and lead her to the table. ‘Come and sit down. You need to rest. I’m cutting up some fresh fruit for you.’
‘You don’t need to do that,’ she protests weakly.
‘Yes, I do. I haven’t done anything for you lately, except cause you grief.’
Her eyes widen and she replies, ‘That’s not true! You do everything for me.’
‘Not enough.’
‘Valentine, we’re a team – it’s a joint effort.’
‘Yeah, well, I don’t feel like I’ve been pulling my weight lately. So today, you’re resting.’ I look over at her and she’s crying. Silently and softly – crying, looking out through the kitchen window. I rush over and kneel by her side. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing.’
‘It’s not nothing. Tell me.’
‘It’s nothing bad.’
‘If it’s making you cry, then I’ll be the judge of that.’
She takes a deep breath and wipes at her face. ‘I didn’t want to worry you.’
‘Okay, but now I’m worried.’
She tries to reassure me with one of her forced smiles, but it does little to calm my concern. I haven’t seen her like this for a long time – not since the last time I upset her with my own emotional breakdown.
‘I had to go to the doctor.’ She says this so quietly, that I almost miss it.
‘What? Why? Are you sick?’
‘Um, not really—’
‘Is the baby sick?’ My heart jumps; racing with anxiety.
She tries to reassure me. ‘Honestly, we’re both okay. It’s just that I was feeling very lethargic and vomiting more often than I thought was normal – especially now that I’m starting into my third trimester. I asked Mum and she said I should get it checked out.’
I take a breath and stand up, running my hands through my hair. ‘Okay, so why are you so sad?’
‘Not sad, just emotional – and tired.’
‘Well, okay, but isn’t that sort of normal? I mean, we’ve had a lot going on, haven’t we?’
‘Yes, we have.’ She wipes her face again and I notice the tears are still welling in her eyes. ‘Which is why Christian thinks my blood pressure is high and it’s caused pre-eclampsia…’
I hear the word “Christian” and my blood suddenly pounds with a healthy dose of jealousy – then the words “high blood pressure” and “pre-eclampsia” send my head spinning.
‘Christian?’
‘Oh, Dr. Myers… He was the doctor who saw me at the Outpatient clinic when I went in for the check-up – you remember me telling you about him?’ she answers in a light tone; I assume to lessen the severity of the situation.
‘Your old boyfriend saw you as your doctor?’
She understands my jealousy immediately – I see it in the look she gives me. ‘Yes, I guess so. But, he’s a do
ctor, before he’s my old boyfriend – and he didn’t behave in anything other than a professional manner.’ She stands and moves over to the sink, deliberately facing the window.
‘Did he examine you?’
She turns and glares at me – tears falling down her rosy cheeks. ‘No! He asked some questions and took my blood pressure – on my arm.’ She wraps her arms around herself.
‘Is he your doctor now?’ I know I’m being an immature dick, but I have to ask.
She turns away from me again, taking a deep breath. ‘No, he’s not. I saw him that one time, but requested another doctor the other times – I didn’t think it would be appropriate to continue seeing him, and I have a lady doctor now.’
I take a deep breath. I’m glad to hear this, but I’m still angry that she’s been keeping me in the dark. ‘Okay. So, why have you not told me what’s going on?’
‘I didn’t want to worry you,’ she sighs.
‘That’s my baby too!’ I raise my voice, immediately regretting it.
Abbie jumps and turns to me abruptly. ‘I know she’s your baby too!’
‘Then why couldn’t you tell me about this preecamp-thing!?’ I shout again.
She glares at me with tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. ‘Because I didn’t want to worry you.’
‘I do worry – every day! And now I’m even more worried.’ I put my head in my hands to try and calm myself down.
‘It’s pre-eclampsia – a high blood pressure condition that just needs to be monitored carefully now that I’m six months along –’
‘And you didn’t think I should know?’
‘Are you angry about me not telling you about the pre-eclampsia, or the fact that I unintentionally saw Dr. Myers?’
‘Both. And pretty pissed off that you kept me out of the loop, but told your mum.’
‘I thought I’d handle it.’
‘That’s fucked, Abbie!’ I stand up abruptly – my chair falling back onto the floor with a loud thud – and storm out of the room. I have to get out of here.
Breathe.
I hear her start to sob as I grab my car keys, slip my feet into my joggers and slam the front door behind me. Where am I going?
Absolution (The Infinity Series Book 2) Page 9
