“Um, did I just see Natalie leaving our complex?” Josh said, his thumb directed over his shoulder but his eyes on Eric. They were sure they had seen her car pull away from the curb as they pulled into the driveway.
Eric ran his hands down his face as he sat against the couch with a thud and rolled his head back so he was looking at the ceiling. “Probably,” he admitted, his voice flat and lifeless.
Louise looked at Josh for Eric’s answer, not being able to see it properly for herself. Josh simply nodded his head at her in confirmation.
“Are you ok?” she asked Eric, moving over to sit next to him.
Not at all, he signed to her. Louise reached over and took his hand, holding it between hers.
“Talk to us Eric, you don’t have to do this alone you know,” she told him.
Lifting his head to speak, he faced her, chuckling slightly to himself. “Aren’t I the bad guy here Louise? The one that refused to see that he was with the other twin?”
“Eric, you can’t beat yourself up about it. Why would you question it? She looked exactly the same, and you didn’t even know she was adopted,” Louise reasoned, not wanting him to feel bad.
“Then how come you could tell? I was the one sleeping with her Louise, and I knew she was different. I fucking knew it,” he said, shaking his head at the memories, “It doesn’t matter now anyway. They’re both gone.”
“Natalie’s gone too?” Louise asked, watching as Josh moved into the kitchen and opened the fridge, returning with a bottle of beer for each of them.
Eric nodded his thanks and took the bottle offered, swigging from the neck before answering. “Yep. I told her to go back home. So it’s done, and now I have to find some way to get on with my life,” he said, taking another drink as he stared blankly at the dark television screen.
“Do you really want her gone?” she asked carefully.
“I don’t fucking know. I mean, I miss seeing her – from when I thought she was Mia. But now, I’m angry that she lied to me and I hate what she did to Mia. I can’t have a relationship with Mia now, because really – I cheated on her. It’s all just so fucked up – I mean, Natalie and I could be soul mates for all I know. We had this amazing…. I don’t know what to call it. But it was there and if she had just been honest, then things might have been different,” he said, lifting his bottle to his lips and draining its contents, happily taking the one Louise offered to him from her own hands.
Josh took the empty from Louise and returned to the kitchen, coming back with an open one for Louise and a full six pack that he set on the coffee table in front of Eric.
Knocking the second beer back, Eric took a fresh one. “Thanks,” he said to Josh, as he twisted the lid off with a hiss, bringing that one to his lips but pausing as he thought. “My whole life was set out you know? Mia and I were happy. I mean I know now that we weren’t totally in love with each other, but we did love each other – you know?
“Then all of a sudden, she changed before my eyes and I felt so fucking lucky,” he took another swig of beer before he sighed, shaking his head again as Louise and Josh sat with him, listening quietly while he unloaded. “I fell head over heels for her. I didn’t think something like that could happen after so long – you know? You settle into a relationship and everything works – so you don’t question the spark that’s missing. Then it comes along all by itself and it’s,” he paused again, gulping from his bottle, the alcohol starting to flow through his blood stream, relaxing and saddening him at the same time. “It’s awesome. I don’t think I’m ever going to feel like that again. It was a once in a life time thing and now she’s gone – I sent her away.”
“Why did you send her away Eric? You love her don’t you?” Louise asked softly.
Eric shook his head, like he didn’t want the thoughts that were in there. “It doesn’t matter Lou, it was the right thing to do,” he said simply, finishing the rest of his bottle as Josh hissed the top off the next one and handed it to him.
Louise gave Josh a wry look who returned it with a half-smile, and a slight shrug. This was how guys talked - they sat around getting shitfaced, spilt their guts and then never spoke of it again.
“For who Eric?” she pushed.
“For everyone Louise! What am I going to do? Say – ‘Oh, you drugged my girlfriend of five years and pretended to be her for a month, no worries, ‘cause, I’m a fucking idiot who’s fallen for you so let’s skip off into the sunset together’ – is that it?” he said, shaking his head and chugging down on his beer again.
Josh leant forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands hanging in the space between his legs. “Mate, she’s not saying that. It’s just that we saw you with her Eric and you’ve never been happier. I think you should try and get past it, give her a chance to make it up to you.”
“I don’t know, Josh. What about Mia? I can’t just do a twin swap – it doesn’t work that way,” he said.
“She wouldn’t hold it against you Eric. She’s not that kind of person,” Louise put in.
“Which is exactly why I can’t do it to her. It’s bad enough that I cheated with her sister. I can’t parade her mirror image in front of her.”
“I don’t think she’ll mind dude, she’s with Cayd now,” Josh said, tipping his head back and taking a long drink from his bottle.
“She what?!” Eric spat out, almost choking on his beer. “She’s fucking moved on already?!”
“Oh, you did not just drop that bomb on him!” Louise admonished him.
“What? They’re broken up and Eric’s into Natalie – maybe this whole thing was fate stepping in, pushing the right people together. I say go for it. She fucked up and she’s sorry. People do stupid things when they’re in love man,” Josh returned, not thinking there was anything wrong with going after the person you want to be with. “Who gives a fuck what anyone else thinks Eric. What do you want?” Josh asked, squinting his eye as he pointed the neck of his beer bottle at Eric. “Who do you want?”
Eric drained the last of his bottle and studied the final ring of amber liquid that refused to leave the clear bottle, before letting out a charged breath. “I want her Josh, I really do. But it’s not that easy. I can’t trust her. I need time.”
“What happens if she goes back to Sydney and then you never see or hear from her again?” Josh attempted to reason.
“I don’t know Josh. This is all one huge fuck up.”
***
“How did you find me anyway?” Mia asked Cayd as they lay together, exhausted from their love making, their bodies still entwined but now content to talk.
“You were confused after finding out about Natalie and after harassing the crap out of Louise, I finally figured that you would come here.”
“That little rat, she dobbed me in,” Mia laughed.
“She didn’t tell me anything - I guessed,” he said, his chest bouncing Mia’s head as he chuckled.
“That explains how you figured I was in Sydney – how did you figure out I was here though, in this hotel?”
“Lots and lots of phone calls,” he replied solemnly.
Sitting up, Mia flicked her auburn mane over to one side so she could look at him. “Are you serious?”
“I was desperate Mia,” he replied, sitting up with her, running his hand through her hair and caressing her face.
“I’m surprised you didn’t use your PI connections to find me.”
“I thought about it, but I don’t think Harry would be too happy with me if I asked.”
“Who’s Harry?”
“He’s a friend of my fathers. He’s looked out for me ever since…” Cayd left the sentence hanging in the air, dropping his eyes as the memory creased his brow, making it hard for him to speak.
“Since your world changed?” she offered in place of the words he didn’t want to say.
Cayd’s eyes lifted again to meet hers, a small sullen smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yes. Since my world changed. He work
s for my father. They’ve known each other for years. He’s kind of like an uncle to me.”
“Well he sounds like a good man.”
“He is. But he would think that I was being foolish if I asked him to find you.”
“Why?”
“He thinks love is for fools.”
“You obviously don’t.”
“Of course not Mia,” he said, his face softening as he stroked her hair and ran his fingers along her skin. “From the moment I met you, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I dreamed about you. I hoped to see you in every crowd I walked through and then, you came to me. Granted the circumstances weren’t ideal, but I was willing to wait, I would have waited forever Mia, because this feeling – it’s not going anywhere.”
“Why didn’t you wait for me to come back then – not that I’m complaining, I’m glad you came. I’m just wondering is all…”
Cayd hooked his finger under her chin and lifted her head so their eyes met. “I was willing to wait Mia – before you spent the night with me. I was willing to wait. But now… you said you’d be mine – I had to come.”
“Will you say it to me?” Mia whispered.
Cayd ran his hands through the length of Mia’s hair, his eyes soft as he gazed upon her beauty, for in his eyes, she was perfect. “I love you Mia,” he whispered, bringing his lips to hers and brushing them softly over her mouth as she whimpered softly, overcome with her own emotions. Connecting their mouths, they held onto each other’s lips as they pressed their bodies together, their hands cupping the other’s head, their fingers caressing.
Mia tilted her head forward, separating their mouths briefly. “I love you too, Cayd” she whispered. “Oh god, I love you.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
After a lengthy discussion based around Mia’s pros and cons list, Cayd finally convinced Mia to go back and visit Natalie’s parents. He had pointed out that if she went home without at least getting the details of her birth mother – no matter how out-dated they may be then she might dearly regret it later.
Mia had agreed with his point and had also admitted to being more than a little curious about Natalie, despite everything she had done. They made a plan to call the Johnson’s in the morning and ask if they could visit that afternoon.
“I’m so glad you returned Mia,” Sandra said as she greeted Mia at the front door. “Oh, and who is this handsome young man you’ve brought with you?” she asked, her eyes raking over Cayd.
“My name is Cayd Donnelly,” he said, holding his hand out to shake Sandra’s in greeting. “I’m Mia’s partner,” he informed her, causing Mia’s stomach to flip flop about.
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Come on in,” Sandra said, leading them through her home into the kitchen again where she had a stack of photo albums and papers sitting on the table. “I’ll just make us some tea… or do you prefer coffee?”
“Tea is fine thank you,” Cayd told her with a smile.
“My partner?” she couldn’t help saying quietly to Cayd.
“Yes Mia, that’s what you call someone you’re in love with,” he qualified. “You’re more to me than a girlfriend, so you’re my partner. Does that bother you?”
“No, actually that’s perfect.”
Mia and Cayd exchanged a smiling glance at each other before they turned their attention towards Sandra, who was beginning to explain what she had laid out on the table.
“I went through the cupboards and pulled out everything I could find that had Natalie in it – she had diaries, but I didn’t hunt for them, I didn’t think it was fair,” she explained.
“This is all wonderful Sandra, thank you,” Mia said, opening the cover of a photo album showing photos of Natalie as a baby, not long after she was born. As she turned the pages, Sandra pointed out different photos, explaining the events surrounding each one and where it was taken.
The albums were very extensive, showing Natalie as she grew into the woman she was now, giving Mia great insight into what her twin’s life had been like. Sandra explained to her that Natalie had been a very lonely child and a rebellious teenager. They did their best with her but she feels that perhaps their guilt over separating us, caused them to over indulge her.
“She’s never had a job in her life, you see. We just wanted her to be happy. We gave her everything we had, everything she wanted…
“She called you know,” Sandra said as they closed the last album. “Yesterday, not long after you left. She told me everything she did Mia, I’m so sorry. I wish I could tell you why she did it, but you have to know she’s very sorry.”
“I’m sure she’s sorry Sandra,” Mia said with a sigh. “She got mistaken for me and then fell into the lie – she just took it way too far. It’ll be hard for me to have any sort of relationship with her.”
“She’s coming home,” she told them. “She should be home tonight if she drives straight through.”
“I see,” Mia said, exchanging glances with Cayd. She felt her heart racing at the thought of having to see Natalie again, and not in a good way. Cayd took her hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Sandra, do you have the details of my birth mother at all?”
“Of course,” she said, shuffling some papers on the table and handing her a hand written note with the name ‘Belinda Harris’ and an address in Coffs Harbour. “I don’t know how much help it will be.”
“Thank you Sandra, I’m not sure that I’ll ever try to track her down, but it’s a start anyway. I feel better that I have it.”
As they rose to leave, both Cayd and Mia thanked Sandra for her hospitality and asked her to give Tom their regards.
Sandra walked them to the door, giving Mia a warm hug before she left. “Mia, I’m sorry – I never should have separated you, I should have taken you both,” Sandra said, a sad wry smile on her face.
“What’s done is done Sandra, we can’t change it with regrets.
“I want to thank you for having us and for showing me Natalie’s life,” she said nodding.
“It was lovely to meet you,” Cayd told her from beside Mia, Sandra held her arms out and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, proclaiming to have thoroughly enjoying meeting both of them.
“Perhaps we’ll meet again and you can bring your photos next time?” Sandra said. “Will you be in Sydney for much longer?” Sandra asked at the door.
“No, we’ll be heading back. I’m not ready to see Natalie, I’m sorry,” Mia said.
“Of course, I can understand that you need some time,” Sandra said, a smile plastered on her face in place of something else to say.
Cayd and Mia farewelled Sandra Johnson once more before returning to Mia’s rental car.
“Do you feel better?” Cayd asked when he had closed the driver’s side door and started the engine, the radio blasting to life.
Pressing the ‘off’ button, Mia shrugged her shoulders. “I think so,” she told him. “I kind of feel like I know her a little now, she hasn’t always been the evil villain I’ve been making her out to be in my mind.”
Pulling out into the traffic lane, Cayd laughed slightly through his nose. “No Mia, she’s not an evil villain. She’s very misguided, but I don’t think she’s a villain.”
.
Chapter Forty
I didn’t tell him where you were, Louise signed to Mia while they sat in Mia’s flat catching up. Mia had been home for a little less than a day and was feeling much better about her situation since going to Sydney. Talking to Natalie’s parents and spending some time with Cayd, away from all of the drama that Natalie had caused, had made her feel like she had some kind of control over her life again. Something she had been severely lacking since Natalie had started interfering.
It’s ok, he explained how he found me. Mia returned, a smile suddenly cracking over her face. We had the most amazing time together. She confided in her friend.
Really? Louise asked, her own face breaking into a grin as if it were contagious.
Mia’s smile
widened as she nodded and signed Oh yes, he’s wonderful.
So you straightened everything out?
We did, I guess I kind of overreacted.
It was understandable, you’ve been through a lot lately, Louise told her, nodding her head to drive her point home.
Did you know that Natalie has gone back to Sydney? Mia asked.
Eric told her to go, Louise informed her.
Mia’s eyebrows shot up as she regarded her friend, Wow, I thought he’d end up with her, she signed finally.
He feels really bad about everything that has happened. He told her to leave because he didn’t want to hurt any of us by dating her.
Is that so?
It is, he’s a good guy.
I know he is, Louise. He’s still important to me, Mia told Louise, meaning every word. For Mia, Eric would always be her first love and as a result he’d hold a special place in her heart. It wasn’t his fault that they weren’t meant to be, just like it wasn’t her fault either.
Basically Natalie was the catalyst that ended a relationship that wasn’t going anywhere anyway.
What were Natalie’s parents like? Louise asked.
Mia bounced her left shoulder. They seemed normal enough – if normal exists. They said she was lonely and rebellious. That she’s never had a job. They just gave her everything she wanted.
More money than sense huh?
Yeah something like that, Mia conceded.
Do you wish you had have had a life like that?
Mia shook her head slowly as she thought about what life would have been like for her had she grown up with Natalie in Sydney. I’m glad we were separated, she admitted.
You are? Why?
Because – I would have missed out on you, and I may never have met Cayd…
You know he learned some signs, to try and convince me to tell him where you were?
Wow, really?
Yeah, Josh has a man crush on him – he thinks he’s so cool.
Mia chuckled a little, having to agree with Josh. He’s definitely amazing, she said, a grin taking over her face as she thought of her new partner.
Our Hearts Entwined Page 19
