by Alisa Grey
I shook my head.
It was then that I realised Marcus and Edward were not there.
«Where are your brothers?»
Nobody answered me. The kids exchanged glances.
«Brum brum», said Anish.
Keir turned pale and run outside. We followed him.
When he found them, Marcus and Edward were in the car. They looked at us and got off.
«We didn’t do anything...»
«We’ll talk about this», I replied.
When we got to our bedroom, I smiled at Keir.
«You know, Claire, maybe we shouldn’t forbid them to drive the car. If we do, they will see it as an exciting breaking of the rules».
We sat.
«Breaking of the rules, right?», I said kissing him.
We hugged and watched the sunrise.
Oscar Wilde used to say: «A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the word».
CHAPTER 39
A WIDE WORLD
It was June when I got a message from dad. He told me Renny was fine and they would all be back to Nova Scotia by the beginning of August. He told me he had delivered my message to Alex. In fifteen days we would be meeting in New York, he said. I was stuck. The kids were happy, but I was scared.
I wanted to see Moon.
«Good evening, Claire!»
«Lord John! What a surprise. Keir is out, but he’ll be back soon. Please, wait for him. I am going out as well, though...»
«I was looking for you, actually. I have an invitation for you. To a ball».
He smiled.
«I’m not sure Keir will like this...»
«Please, come. I would be delighted».
«John! What are you doing with my wife?»
«Inviting her to a ball».
Keir looked at us.
«Thank you, but we are about to go to New York. Maybe some other time».
Anish and Jodie came to us. She was holding the kitty. Dubh was following them.
«Mom... I gotta go wee wee», said Anish.
I took him home and Keir said goodbye to Lord John.
«Did he really want to invite us at a ball?», I asked.
«Sort of. He wanted to talk business, but I said goodbye».
«Business?»
«He just wanted an advice... I’m not leaving to India. I am not», he hugged me.
Three days later, we were on the road to New York. Dubh and Gris, the kitty, were the only ones who were left at home. We stopped in Saint John, over Fundy Bay. The kids were overexcited. It was their first adventure away from home and they were eager to discover how big the world was.
We were in the New Brunswick, between Nova Scotia and the USA. It was an English speaking area, but they could also speak French.
We got to Saint John valley. It was late afternoon and we were stuck to see how wild the place was. It looked like some mysterious site. It was humid, chilly and foggy. It was packed with small houses.
We stopped in a modest hotel near the harbor. It was extremely characteristic.
«Tomorrow I’ll take you meet “tide”», Keir said.
«Who’s tide?», Edward asked.
«It’s the changing of the floods».
The kids ate and went to bed. It was their first night out, so I was not sure how they would react to that. Keir and I were sleeping, when someone came to wake us up.
«Mom? Why are you sleeping?»
«Anish? It is night...», Keir whispered.
We were both sleepy.
«I’m hungry!»
«What about the others?»
«They are playing».
I stood up at once and sent Anish back to bed.
Keir looked at me.
«I can’t believe how lovely you are».
I sat on our bed and he kissed me.
«We should check on the kids, I believe».
«Do you?»
I could picture the five of them playing and making noise.
We both smiled and stood up.
The kids’room was filled with feathers. Apparently, they had been playing the pillow war.
«Let’s get dressed, guys!», I twittered.
«Will you tidy up the room, please?», I asked to Keir.
I kissed the kids as I helped them get dressed. I loved them so much. They all tried to tell me to back off, except for Anish. He was happy to be kissed and hugged.
We visited the Reversing Falls.
The “tide”, as Keir called it, made the waters of the ocean mix with the river and created an awkward show. The bay was famous for its changing level of the water. It changed more than once a day and it was charming.
We stopped at Augusta, then. It was a small city. It had been funded by English people from New Plymouth. Then we stopped in Boston, a marvellous city in New England. It had been called Trimountain, after its three hills, for a long time.
It was a very important city. It had been crucial for the independence war and the abolishment of slavery. They were rebels, but the city was incredible. It was packed with schools and universities.
Edward and Marcus insisted on visiting two universities. They were both beautiful and monumental. The buildings were severe, they had ladders and columns.
At dinner, Edward said: «Marcus and I took a decision. We have been thinking about this for a long time. Mr De Luca told us to make the best out of our talents, and we would like to study. Architecture and Electronic engineering. We had thought we might go to London, but here, in Boston, we changed our minds. We want to study here».
Boston was way better than London. It was much closer. I was not happy, though.
«Aren’t you too young to make such a decision?», I asked.
«We are not».
«We might discuss it with dad, as soon as he comes back», I said.
«We already did. He told us not to go to Europe».
I was stuck. What? I choked. I was so upset that I needed to take a moment for myself. I went to the ladies’room.
Keir followed me.
«I need to talk to Sam», I said angrily.
«Claire, it was just...», he whispered.
«No! He can’t tell them not to go to Europe».
I was almost screaming and I had turned red. It looked as if Keir and I were having a fight, so many people turned to us.
«But he was wise...»
He hugged me.
«Come on, Claire. Let’s go back to the kids...»
I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. Then I shook my head.
«Are you angry, mom?», Edward asked.
«No, I’m just worried. I don’t like your being far away from me... but I know you have to... go. If you like to».
They all looked at me, then Edward and Marcus came to me and hugged me.
«We love you».
Sam and I had never had a fight. I missed him and loved him more than I could say. But I didn’t want him to tell the kids to go to Boston.
At night, Keir hugged me. I was thinking about what had happened. I felt like all those shadows of the night were going to eat me alive. There was silence, but my head was spinning. I couldn’t find any peace. I could hear Keir breathing, which made me even more nervous and tense. I got up and got to the window. I looked at the Moon. What a charming, hypnotic sky She lived in. She shined brightly, but softly. Keir hugged me from behind. He caressed my back, then he got to my legs. When his hands got to my breasts, he asked me what was on my mind.
«I was looking at the Moon. When I was a little girl, I could spent hours just looking at Her».
«Please, my dear, tell me what’s on your mind».
«Nothing, really. I’m just confused...»
He kissed me.
«My dear Claire, one day they will fall in love... do you want to stop them? Prevent them from living? You just can’t...»
I remained silent.
«I know I can’t. I
just thought it wouldn’t be happening for a long time...»
«You should be proud of them. They are great kids».
We hugged. I could hear his heart beating and it made me calm. He was all I needed and I was there for me.
«Sam did a good job with them...»
We went back to bed.
On the morning after, we were back on the road. We would be staying down the Village. We met Miss Rogers, who greeted us happily. She had fattened and she was wearing a green dress that made her look even fatter.
«This must be your sons! Oh, how lovely they are!»
She took us to our rooms.
«That’s a small apartment. It is made of two rooms, one big bathroom and a small garden».
Keir thanked her, then we were left alone.
New York was exciting. It was full of life and I could see that the kids were excited too.
The apartment was a nice one. The walls were levander-coloured and the garden was extremely peaceful. It smelt good. A very big ivy was growing upon the railing.
CHAPTER 40
AN UNEXPECTED LOVE
The kids behaved. I was so stuck and couldn’t believe that.
On our third day, we still hadn’t met Alex. We had been to Manhattan, though, and we had visited the museums of the city. We had eaten awkward things which had made the kids really happy.
On the fourth day, I got sick. I hadn’t got my period and my breasts were bigger. I was pregnant again. Keir didn’t seem to be willing to have another son by then, but I knew he would be happy about my pregnancy. I was scared, because I was not young anymore and I knew that. How would it be like, to go over a pregnancy once again?
Keir knocked on the bathroom door.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I wasn’t looking good that day.
«Are you okay, Claire?»
«It’s just a stomachache, don’t worry».
He got in.
«Are you ill? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?»
«I’m fine, really».
He looked at me.
«You didn’t get your period, right? It’s fifteen days late by now...»
«How can you...?»
He smiled and I shook my head.
He hugged me and kissed me passionately. His lips tasted like strawberries. He was incredibly happy, I could see that. We looked at each other and it was as if we were looking in each other’s souls.
«Let’s so check on the kids», I said.
«I’d stay here the whole day. I’d kiss you the whole day...»
He stayed silent for a while.
«You know, right, that now we belong to each other forever?»
I did. I also knew that this would make Sam’s come back even more complicated. What would I do, if he actually came back at some point?
«I know, Keir. But marrying you had already tied us together forever».
He smiled. His eyes were full of things he couldn’t say. Sam was gone and now Keir was my husband. He had been there for me, as a friend and as a lover. Sam had not.
«Let’s go meet Mr Wilson», he said hugging me one more time. His voice was harsh.
«Keir, you know we are meeting him because we had agreed we would».
He did. But he still didn’t like the idea of meeting him.
«Are you jealous?», I teased him.
«I am».
«Better make a quick meeting, then».
We got to the hotel Alex was staying at. It was on Fifth Avenue. We got in. Keir was holding Anish, the girls were holding my hands and the eldest ones were just behind us. They got on very well.
We entered the hall. It was extremely elegant. The windows were brightly coloured and the carpets looked very expensive. The walls and the curtains matched the sofas and the armchairs. I went to the reception and asked for Mr Wilson. The receptionist looked at me as if it was unlikely, that someone like me had a rendez-vous with Mr Wilson.
We were told to take the elevator and get to the twelfth floor. Then we would need to head to the Presidential Suit.
Keir hugged me and we went to the elevator. The corridor of the twelfth floor was very beautiful. It was filled with mirrors and carpets.
I took a deep breath, then knocked on the door.
A brown-haired and blue-eyed girl let us in.
«Good morning. I am Sophie Duval and I am the personal secretary of Mr Wilson. Please, do come in. He is waiting for you».
She had a French accent and she moved graciously.
The suite was charming and huge.
Alex came to meet us. He was wearing a tie and a dark jacket. He hugged me.
«Claire, mon coeur, I’m so happy to see you!»
«Alexander, you already know Keir Murphy, my husband. But you’re not acquainted with my sons, so let me introduce you. This is the eldest, Edward. He wants to be an architect. This is Marcus, who wants to be an engineer. Then we have Jasmine, Jodie and Anish».
He smiled and looked at Edward. They truly looked like each other. They had blond hair, a straight nose and beautiful eyes. He looked at Marcus, who looked like Sam, as well. Then he looked at Anish, who was clearly Keir’s son.
«An architect and an engineer! So, what university have you chosen?»
«Boston!»
«I’m pleased to hear that. We’ll meet very often, then».
I looked at Alex.
«I think I’ll buy an apartment in New York, Claire», he said.
Keir took my hand.
«New York?»
«Yes. New York», Alex smiled.
I was barely breathing.
«But... what about your girlfriend? The French one, remember?»
«She was not my girlfriend. I am a single man. I lost my wife, you know...»
That was unkind.
«I have a son here, though. He lives in North America. So I’ll be moving here».
I was stuck and scared.
«Do you have a son?», Jasmine asked.
«Yes. I have a twelwe-year-old boy who loves architecture».
Edward looked at him. He didn’t seem to understand the full meaning of that sentence, though.
«But... if you lost your wife, who takes care of your son now?», Jasmine asked.
«It’s a long story. We’ll talk about that. I ordered some lunch for all of us».
«That was kind», Keir said.
I wanted to run away. We were taken to the dining room.
«I asked for light and good food», Alex said.
I was speechless and confused.
«Claire, mon coeur, so where is it that you live?»
«We own a farm», Keir replied.
Alex looked at him hastily.
«How is it, living in a farm? I’ve always lived in the city... I thought my wife liked it, but she... chose something else. She also chose someone else».
I choked on a piece of bread.
«Maybe you were not made for each other. Maybe she was too young and she realised she had made a mistake», I said.
«Maybe she was in love with a blue-eyed man. Maybe her current husband believes she loves him, but she is in love with the blue-eyed man. Still. I thought she had got tired of him, but... I believe I know the truth now».
Keir was about to lose his temper.
«I am sorry, Alex, but we should be going now. We are leaving tomorrow».
Keir and the kids got up.
«When will we meet again, then?»
«I’ll send you a note».
«Claire, mon amour», he whispered, «have I told you how charming you are today? Even more than the last time we met. Being a mother suits you... or maybe it is linked with your life at the farm».
I turned red. We got to the door and Sophie opened it for us.
«Claire, vous remplissez tous les espaces de mon coeur et c'est à cause de ça que je vous aime à la folie. Je vous aimerai à jamais!», he screamed.
I didn’t understand that, but I shut the door and walked
away. It looked like the best thing to do. Keir took my hand.
«Are you angry, Keir?»
«I am. I hated that. He even told you he loves you!»
«I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I left him thirteen years ago and this is it».
«That’s not the point... do you love the blue-eyed man? Truly. Is he the only one you’re in love with?»
«This conversation is not getting anywhere».
He took my arm as I was trying to walk away from him.
«Just answer me».
He was angry.
«No! Okay? Is this the answer you wanted?»
«We’ll talk about this».
He didn’t talk to me throughout the whole afternoon. When we had put the kids to bed, I decided it was time I talked to him.
«How can you not see that he said those things in order to provoke you?»
I was still angry and didn’t reply.
He was standing in the garden. I approached him and hugged him. He hugged me back.
«Claire, I just can’t stand him...»
We kissed, then he undid my shirt and took me to the bed. He was laying on top of me, when he stopped and looked at me.
«Do you really love me?», he asked.
«I do. Do you doubt it?»
«But I’m not the only one you are in love with».
«I love you, Keir».
We made love.
When it was over, we kissed.
«Shall we do it once again?», he smiled.
«I truly love you».
«I love you more», he whispered.
CHAPTER 41
A PAINTING BY CÉZANNE
A couple of days later, as agreed, we started our journey back home. We got there in three days, but as we were riding, I noticed I hadn’t asked Alex where to address the note I would send him.
I knew he wanted us to be friends or, even better, to get back together, but that was so stupid I couldn’t even consider the idea. Especially after our meeting.
I sent a note to his hotel anyway and gave him Miss Rogers’ address, to send his reply. Miss Rogers got a note from A.W. and a bouquet. For me. Keir was very unhappy about that.
