Absolution (The Infinity Series Book 2)

by Michelle Dennis

  Pandora’s Pub.

  Chapter 16

  What the fuck just happened? I pull into the car park of Pandora’s Pub and it’s pretty empty. It’s not open for business yet, but I know the staff will be out back getting the place spruced up for the day. I saunter around to the rear door.

  ‘Hey, Valentine,’ Jimmy says. With a cigarette hanging from his mouth, he offers me a half smile as he tosses a bag of rubbish into the dumpster beside the door.

  ‘Hey, Jimmy,’ I reply, pulling open the door and waiting for him to go in before I follow. ‘Mind if I hang out here a bit?’

  He eyes me for a moment with his crystal blue eyes. His face wrinkles when he grins at me, before replying with, ‘The missus kick you out?’

  ‘No, not really, we…’

  ‘Ah, never mind!’ Jimmy waves my reply away. ‘It’s happens to the best of us, mate. They’re always right, so just wait here ’til ya figure out how you’re gonna go back with your tail between your legs and apologise.’

  I consider his advice for a moment and almost reply with the fact that I’m not in the wrong, but toss the thought aside. I am to blame, because if I’d taken more notice of her, I’d have realised she wasn’t well and if I wasn’t such a flake she wouldn’t have kept me in the dark.

  ‘Yeah,’ I answer, ‘I guess, I’ll just hang out here ’til I know it’s safe.’ I leave Jimmy in the kitchen and head around to the bar.

  It’s clean. The carpets aren’t beer-trodden yet, and the brass trimmings around the bar have just been polished. The place is decorated in Christmas stuff – how did I miss this? It’ll be Christmas in three weeks and Izzy and Patrick tie the knot soon – and I’m suddenly reminded of the night I fell in love with Abbie.

  The memory pulls me under like a tidal wave. She stood at the bar, that night, with a group of friends; looking like a fish out of water. Way out of my league. She had her hair down, and wore a skirt, with a cream-coloured blouse – she looked like one of those chicks from the Morning Show. I remember not being able to take my eyes from her. And when she was finally dragged out to the dance floor, I wanted to jump down from the stage and ask her name. I wanted to pick her up and take her home – creepy, I know – a man can’t just pick a girl up and take her home; we’re not cavemen. Then she came to ask for my number and I thought for a fleeting moment I’d got lucky, but she definitely wasn’t that type of girl.

  I fell for her; hook, line and sinker. I asked her to dance, just wanting to get closer to her. To bury my face in those beautiful red curls. To have my hands around that tiny waist and feel her breasts up against my chest… but she turned me down. What a kick in the guts; one I probably deserved.

  Then she returned here with Sarah. I knew I’d been given a second chance and I’d better be on my best behaviour. It worked. And I was on a ride I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

  The memory makes my heart race. I take a seat at the bar and drop my head into my hands. Breathe. Maybe I shouldn’t have taken off? Maybe I should’ve stayed and just tried to discuss things calmly? But, I’m angry. Really fucking angry. That dick, Christian, knew before me. Isn’t it my job to be there for her when she’s sick? Shouldn’t I have at least been told?

  Then I remind myself that I wasn’t taking any notice. I was too wrapped up in my own fucked-up issues. But isn’t that what Abbie wanted? Didn’t she want me to get help?

  Oh, I don’t know. I’m just angry.

  ‘Look what the cat dragged in!’ Donna’s voice pierces my thoughts.

  I take my hands from my face and watch her swan in behind the bar, wearing her usual smile and tight black top – both revealing something familiar to me. I push the passing thought of the one-night-stand to the back of my mind; it was a long time ago, another me, a man I don’t know anymore. ‘Hi, Donna.’

  ‘To what do I owe the pleasure?’ She eyes me with mild suspicion, as she opens the cash drawer and begins filling it with the day’s float.

  ‘I was in the neighbourhood.’ I offer her a smile – the best I can manage.

  ‘Oh, like that is it? Well, I wouldn’t be in the neighbourhood too long, or she might throw you out for good.’

  We lock eyes for a moment – this woman, a little rough around the edges, has impeccable intuition. That’s probably why she ends up trying to fix so many lonely men. I know I was nothing more to her than a one-night-stand, and that makes things much less uncomfortable – no strings attached.

  ‘I just need a place to hide out for a while – until I can lick my wounds clean and figure out how to apologise for being such a dick.’

  ‘No problem. Take all the time you need.’ She places a Guinness in front of me. She’s quick on the uptake, and I appreciate that she knows I’m not looking for anything more than some breathing space.

  ‘Thanks,’ I repeat, taking a gulp of the warm frothy liquid. It goes down well and as the liquid settles in my stomach, I inhale deeply and try to settle myself down.

  ∞~∞~∞~∞

  The bar starts to fill and I’m on my third Guinness. I’m not drowning my sorrows – that’d be useless – just biding my time. Scanning the bar, I see a familiar face entering and immediately feel like shit.

  Sam.

  If he’s here, then Abbie called him. If Abbie called him, she’s worried about me. And I’ve made her worry about me – again.

  Fuck!

  Sam spots me instantly and waves, his lips breaking into a wide grin – obvious relief washing over his face.

  I give a small wave and a half smile, returning my hands to hugging the glass of Guinness like a security blanket.

  ‘Hey,’ Sam says, pulling up a stool beside me.

  ‘Hey,’ I reply sheepishly, staring down at the half empty glass.

  ‘I was hoping my investigating skills wouldn’t take me all over Perth,’ he says with a light tone – maintaining his usual, easy-going humour.

  ‘Yeah, sorry if I made you worry, mate.’

  ‘It’s cool. Abbie phoned me.’

  My heart tightens. ‘Is she okay?’

  Sam sighs. ‘Yeah, she asked me to find you and give you this.’ He pulls out a small pair of pink baby booties.

  I take them and instantly regret our argument. I’ve behaved like a jealous teenager. She’s been nothing but supportive and loving – to everyone – especially to me. She’s had so much to deal with and I’ve just made things so much more difficult for her. ‘Shit,’ I say softly.

  ‘She also said to tell you she loves you.’

  ‘Thanks man.’ I breathe out a sigh and look at him. ‘She deserves better than me.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know about that – you’re a pretty good guy.’

  I smile at him and know that there’s one place I should be and it isn’t here. ‘Do you mind driving my sorry ass home? I’ve probably had one too many and if I lose my licence, she really will strangle me.’

  ‘Not at all. We’ll pick your car up when you’ve sobered up a bit.’

  The drive home doesn’t take long and when Sam drops me off in the driveway, I fix my shirt, push my hands through my hair and take a deep breath. Here goes.

  I find her in the baby’s room, curled up on her sitting chair with her eyes closed. As I kneel beside her she opens her eyes and smiles at me, as though her day has just become perfect. Why does she smile at me like this? It melts my heart, every single time.

  ‘I love you, infinity,’ I whisper to her, leaning in to pull her closer, so I can kiss her cheek. There are tears on her cheeks. Her eyes are glassy and I feel so guilty. ‘I’m sorry,’ I add.

  ‘I’m sorry too.’ She wraps her arms around me and I get the urge to pick her up. In one movement, I stand and pull her into my arms, carrying her to our room. Not to do what I’d like to do, but to lay her in our bed and let her rest.

  ‘I want you to stay here while I run you a bath. Let me look after you and our precious baby, like I’m meant to.’

  She lets out a small laugh and kisses my
cheek. ‘I won’t say no to that.’

  ‘Good. And then we’ve got some planning to do. We’ve just been given twenty-thousand dollars and a coffee van. We need to start making some plans.’

  ‘Hmmm, that will be nice,’ she murmurs, as I place her on the bed and run my hand over her face before kissing her gently.

  ‘Life is about to take on a whole new twist, Princess, so we’d better prepare ourselves.’

  Chapter 17

  Precamp… No, it’s pre-eclampsia. I need to be the responsible father, the responsible partner, and at least get the name of Abbie’s condition right. Pre-eclampsia is something that can cause some issues with our baby’s growth before she’s born. But Abbie says that if she can keep her blood pressure down and we monitor her pregnancy closely, everything will be fine. I trust her.

  I collect the weekend newspaper from the front lawn, make my coffee and sit at the kitchen table, to search through the “Houses for Sale” section. The sun has made a spectacular appearance this morning; pink and orange, casting an almost spiritual glow over the garden. I listen to hear if my sneaking around has disturbed Abbie’s sleep-in and relax when I hear nothing. We’ve got a bit less than three months before our little girl arrives and suddenly the race is on to find something we can move into. If we don’t find anything with a quick settlement, then we’ll stay put; but I know Abbie would love to bring our baby home to her very own nursery.

  17 Kent Street, Mt Lawley. Three bedrooms with a sleep-out, lounge, formal dining room and two beautifully appointed bathrooms. This home is delightful and charming, but don’t be fooled into thinking it won’t step up to the plate when you want to entertain your friends and family; it has a newly built alfresco area and a rose garden that will make your visitors green with envy. Viewing by appointment only.

  This one stands out. It’s within our budget and around the corner from Tyler, but most importantly, it’s not far from Abbie’s family or my dad either; what is it they say? Location is everything.

  The hot shower is the perfect place to make plans and consider our future. I have to pick up Tyler in half an hour and Abbie still hasn’t stirred. Checking my reflection as I dry myself off, I notice I need to shave but don’t have time. I guess this might be something I’ll have to get used to. I’ve heard having a baby is going to be hard work. Night feeds, changing nappies, cold dinners and little time in the showering department – and that’s just me. Abbie is going to need looking after, too. She’ll need to rest between feeding and caring for our baby and I really don’t know how I’m going to handle it, but I’m determined I will.

  I pull on a pair of jeans, put on a t-shirt, step out of the bathroom and walk over to my sleeping beauty. She stirs slightly when I touch her face.

  ‘Mmmm,’ she hums and stretches.

  ‘I’m going to get Tyler. I’ll stop at the grocery store and we’ll be home soon.’

  She turns her face up to me. ‘Okay.’

  I respond by kissing her lips gently, before making my way out to the kitchen. She’s going to have a peaceful morning and I’m going to work on a surprise I have planned for her with my little accomplice.

  I pull up in Jacquie’s driveway and spot Tyler sitting on the verandah, with his backpack sitting on his lap. He immediately jumps up, with a huge smile and instantly, I see Dillan.

  Shit, he takes me back to The Day.

  Dillan smiling out at me through the window of the bus, watching me with a teasing sparkle in his blue eyes, as I climb onto the bus and try to chat up Katie Fischer. Then the bus starts to move… and Dillan is laughing… then…

  Fuck! Pull yourself together, man. I chastise myself for being so weak. Tyler isn’t Dillan.

  I take a deep breath. I focus and close my eyes, reaching out for the calm thought I need to bring me back to now.

  ‘Hey, Dad!’ Tyler shouts and I’m here – watching him bolt across the lawn and open the passenger side door.

  I force my grief down and smile at him. ‘Hey, champ.’

  He throws himself at me for a hug and I breathe in his love. It’s out of this world.

  ‘Where’s Princess Abbie?’ he asks, flopping back into the seat and pulling the seatbelt across to buckle himself in.

  I grin. I love that he loves her so much. ‘Oh, she’s just resting at home.’

  Concern shadows his face. ‘Is she okay?’

  ‘Yeah, of course – but she’s getting bigger and she can’t move around so easily now,’ I say lightly, poking him in the ribs.

  He squirms and giggles. ‘Ha! I doubt that, but yeah, she does need to rest. Jake says that women get really moody when they’re pregnant.’

  ‘Who’s Jake?’ The question is out before I even think about what the response might be.

  ‘Mum’s boyfriend,’ he replies, like it’s no big deal.

  And it’s not. It’s probably about time – Jacquie hasn’t really been interested in dating. She’s always maintained the opinion that nobody could compare to her son, and he came first. Maybe she always felt that I wasn’t very reliable and Tyler needed at least one of us to depend on; I’m sure this crossed her mind more than once.

  I reverse the car out of the driveway and reply with, ‘Well, Jake is right – women are moody when they’re pregnant and they eat way too much!’ I glance over at him. ‘Anyway, I’ve got something to show you. Something I didn’t want Princess Abbie to see.’

  ‘Oh, yeah?’ he twists so that he can sit up on his knees and looks over at me with interest.

  ‘There’s a house for sale near here. I thought we might go and take a look.’

  ‘Oh, cool!’ he shouts, looking out of his window as if the house is going to appear instantly. ‘For you to buy?’

  ‘I’m thinking about it. If you think Princess Abbie will like it.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll see if it’s good enough for her,’ he laughs and leans back in the seat.

  He’s so grown up. I smile to myself as I drive toward 17 Kent Street; hoping Tyler likes it. I know Abbie will love it, if Tyler does.

  Chapter 18

  Between discussions with Robert about my plans to use some of the inheritance money as a deposit on a house, viewing 17 Kent Street with the selling agent, resigning from my job, keeping up with wedding arrangements, planning the investment on the coffee van and trying to keep it all under wraps, I’m exhausted by the time Saturday morning comes around again.

  I stretch out on the couch, wondering how the hell I managed to get so much crammed into five days and flick through the channels to see what’s on the idiot box. I just need to zone out for a bit, while Abbie chatters on the phone with Izzy about everything from wedding stuff, baby plans and the price of eggs.

  ‘Valentine?’ she suddenly calls my name from the kitchen.

  ‘Yeah, babe?’ I call back.

  ‘Izzy wants to know if you’re bringing Tyler to their wedding?’

  I consider the question for a minute. I haven’t even asked Jacquie with everything else going on. ‘Err, yeah, I guess so.’

  ‘Okay, Izzy says she’ll take that as a “yes” and you need to organise the rest.’

  I suddenly realise that their wedding is next Saturday. ‘Okay. I’ll call Jacquie later.’

  I go back to flicking through the channels mindlessly; tonight we have dinner at Zane and Jed’s place and I’ll need their help with my surprise. But before this I need to call Sam and get him and Robert to tell Gail and the girls. The selling agent says she can get the settlement done by Christmas; if she can, it’ll definitely be a Christmas miracle. Three weeks to get it done and I’ll need all the help I can get.

  Abbie’s giggling and chattering stops and my attention is drawn to her. I listen as her footsteps head off in the direction of our room and without a second thought I’m up and following her.

  When I reach the doorway of our bedroom I find her standing at the wardrobe in front of the mirror, holding up her blue bridesmaid dress. The morning sun bathes her in a brill
iant copper glow and I notice her baby bump is noticeably bigger.

  She turns to me with a look of wonder and asks, ‘Do you like the dress?’

  I lock eyes with her and cross the floor in just a few steps, taking the dress and placing it back in the wardrobe. ‘It’ll look better when you’re wearing it.’

  She lets out a girlish laugh. ‘Oh, you’re such a charmer!’

  I ignore her playful remark and hold her face between my hands so I can kiss her, and when our lips meet, my stomach flips. I feel her relax in my arms and she moans with pleasure, but I have another agenda, as much as I’d like to take her right now.

  Pulling away, I immediately kneel in front of her, placing my hands gently on her baby bump and look up. With the sun illuminating her from behind, I’m reminded of the Mother Mary paintings by the likes of Leonardo, Raphael and Giovani Battista that I saw throughout Greece as a child on family holidays. At the time, it meant very little to me, traipsing around art galleries with Mum and Dad, looking forward to the ice-cream we’d get at the end of the day; if we boys managed to behave. Now, I appreciate the wonder and magic emanating from a woman who carries her child and the indescribable love she has for this small human who will be born from her. I’m not ignorant to the fact that us guys help with this amazing creation, but we’re just a small part of the masterpiece. The blood, the flesh and the emotion given to the child during pregnancy is a gift exclusive to the mother; a gift she was given by her own mother.

  This feeling of experiencing a miracle is so new to me. I was so out of touch with Jacquie when she carried Tyler for nine months; busy getting high on anything that didn’t relate to being responsible. I missed out on so much.

  ‘Your bump is bigger,’ I say, my voice filled with emotion. I swallow hard, to push down the unexpected swelling which wells up in my throat.

  Abbie’s face brightens with joy as she gazes down into my eyes. ‘Yes, I think so. She’s moved a little too.’ She places her hand over mine and guides it to the side of the bump. ‘Her feet are here now.’