There was so much to do. Flick had already been out looking for a dress with Marion, and the girls were yet to be measured for their dresses. They had decided to do that in December. The girls seemed to be shooting up, and Flick didn’t want to chance that they were going to grow so much, that the dresses wouldn’t fit.
They had received so many engagement presents from Ali’s family and their friends at work, that they were running out of room to put things. Frank and Gerald had taken out an advertisement in the major business pages, announcing the engagement of two members of staff, it had stated the date of the wedding and given their names. Then it wished them all the luck in the world, with the best wishes of everyone at McDougal and Cohen.
When Ali and Flick arrived at work on Friday morning, they saw that the business sign outside was undergoing some kind of work. The rest of the signs in the building seemed, to be having work done also. Ali wondered if they’d hired a designer to jazz the logo up a bit.
Ali was called upstairs on Friday afternoon for a meeting. To her surprise the whole family was in the conference room. Including Claude, her Mother and the girls.
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?” Ali asked expecting the worst.
“Yes, Alison, everything is fine. Please have a seat and frank and I will explain,” said Gerald. Once she was seated, he stood and started pacing. “Myself and Frank have been talking for a while now, about how we could reward Alison for all the money and time she has saved the company. She works far harder than Frank and myself, and longer too.”
“I can no longer give her raises and bonuses, as she is already at the highest rate possible. So we were in a fix as what to do next.” Ali was as red as a beetroot at the praise, “so we’ve decided that she should be given something special. Ladies and Gentleman, please give a round of applause to Alison Macguire, the new partner in McDougal and Cohen.”
Everyone clapped and cheered. Ali was speechless, and had tears in her eyes. “Gerald and I have decided to give you 10% each of our shares. We would like you to stay in the position of HR manager, but now you will be pulled into the day to day running of the company. We’ve arranged for some of the HR personnel to receive more training, and take on some of your responsibilities as now you’ll be dealing with our major clients, and having daily meetings with us.”
“Thank you, Frank, but are you sure you want to do this? I’m extremely humbled at this offer but I want you to be sure.”
“Oh, yes we’re positive, you’ll need to sign the paperwork we have here, but I’d like to show you all something first.”
He took them downstairs and out to the front of the building, where all the staff were gathered. Gerald made a short speech announcing Ali’s new appointment. He then asked Ali and Flick to pull a rope, which was attached to a sheet of fabric, hanging over the company logo above the building entrance. As they pulled, the new company name was revealed.
McDougal, Macguire and Cohen.
Ali cried and hugged Flick. She had never dreamed this was possible. Her Mum was beaming from ear to ear and Claude placed a kiss on her cheek in congratulations.
Ali still couldn’t get use to the idea of being partner. She was completely in shock. She was still smiling when they got home that night.
“So Ms Partner of McDougal and Cohen, how are you doing?” Flick asked.
“Shocked. I really can’t believe they’ve done this.”
“Well believe it, baby, I can’t believe I’m going to be Mrs Macguire, the wife of Alison Macguire, partner at McDougal, Macguire and Cohen. I’m so proud of you, darling. You really deserve this, you work your arse off for the company, and it just shows that good work will be rewarded eventually.”
“It’s just so amazing.”
She needed to order stationary tomorrow, along with new business cards.
Ali headed to the bar and was pouring them drinks, when Flick’s mobile rang. Flick answered and went a ghostly white. She nearly dropped the phone and Ali caught it quickly, and began speaking to the person on the end of the line.
“Hello I’m Alison, I’m Felicity’s fiancée, she is a little shocked at the moment, is there any way I can help you.”
“Yes. I was Felicity’s social worker when she was a child. I’ve had information that Felicity’s birth mother, is trying to trace her.” Said a sweet female voice.
God no wonder Flick was shocked, she had never really had a real Mother, well up until Marion entered her life.
“Okay, what are you suggesting?”
“Well the decision is down to Felicity. I have a letter here from her birth Mother. If Felicity wants contact, she can come and get the letter and talk to me about seeing her. If not she can come and talk to me about her reservations.”
“We will have to talk about this. Can I take your number and get her to give you a call once she has digested the news.”
The lady on the phone gave Alison a phone number. Once she had hung up, Ali went to Flick and held her.
“Why does she want to know now? She abandoned me thirty-seven years ago. I don’t know if I want to meet her. I’m intrigued in what she looks like, but I don’t think I want her in the girls’ life, just in case she disappears again. That wouldn’t be fair to them. They’ve got Marion for a Nan. I need to think about this. She might be able to answer some, of the questions I’ve always had. I don’t think I have a place for her in my heart.”
“Whatever you decide, will be fine with me. I’ll be with you through it all. But I would like you to talk to me about all of this. I don’t want you keeping your thoughts and feelings to yourself.”
“Thanks love, I promise I will include you in everything.”
Flick was quiet all through dinner. Ali decided to sort the girls out. Together they did homework and then she sent them to shower and get everything ready for school the next day. With her taking care of everything with the girls it meant she could leave Flick to collect her thoughts. As she passed the lounge she looked in on Flick who had wrapped herself up in a blanket, and was slowly drinking her way through a bottle of wine.
“Penny for them,” Ali said entering the room.
“Oh sorry, I guess I’m in another world at the moment.”
“The girls have noticed. They’re a little worried. So am I.”
“I just don’t know what to do, Ali.”
“Well if you want the answers to those questions you have, then you’re going to have to see her. I’ll be at your side when you do, I won’t let you go through this on your own. We could meet her on mutual ground, and then you can decide what you want to do afterwards. But you’ll have to talk to the girls about this, they’d want to know. You’ve always talked with them about everything, don’t exclude them from this.”
Flick snuggled up to Ali and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, darling, you always seem to be the voice of reason within my jumbled up brain,” she kissed Ali again and snuggled closer. “Girls. Can you come in here for a minute please,” she called out.
The girls came downstairs and sat on the sofa facing their parents.
“Okay. I had a phone call today from a lady, who was my social worker when I was a child. She has received a letter from the woman, who is my birth mother. It seems she wants to meet me.”
“Mum. This sounds like a bad idea. Are you considering seeing her?” Chelsea asked.
“Well I’ve had questions all my life, that haven’t been answered. She’d be the only person who could answer them all. I know you guys don’t understand fully, but I think Ali and me will meet her. Then I can decide what happens after that. She has never been, and never will be a big part of my life.”
“But we’ve got a Nan, I don’t want another one!” cried Belle.
Flick moved to her and cuddled her.
“She will never be your Nan. You will always have Marion for that. This woman gave up her right to be your grandmother, when she gave me up.”
“If you think that this is be
st, Mum, I will agree with you. But I don’t want to meet her,” Chelsea said adamantly.
“Me neither,” said Belle.
“Okay. I will call my old social worker back, and agree to have a look at the letter she has written. I will ask her to fax it through to Ali’s machine, and we can all read it tonight.”
Flick picked the phone up and dialled the number. She explained what they had discussed and then gave over the fax number. She told the social worker she would call her and let her know what she wanted her to do. Flick retrieved the fax from the machine a few moments later and headed back to the family.
“Right here we go. Ali will you read it please?” Flick said passing her the piece of paper.
“Sure, sweetheart.”
“Dear Felicity.
I don’t know if you are going to read this or tear it up. Just in case you have decided to read it, My name is June Bromwell. I’m your birth Mother.
I’m sorry I had to give you up when you were born. Would you please agree to see me, so that we can discuss everything that happened in the past? I know you probably have a lot of questions that I will answer as best I can.
If you contact your social worker with a date, place and time. I will be there.
Regards
June.”
“Well that was short and sweet.”
“Right, well I’ve decided that I am going to meet her. I want to show her what she has missed out on. You two are going to Nanny’s next weekend, while Ali and I go down to Brighton to try and put together a menu for the wedding. She can meet us at The Grand. Ali will be there to get me through it. I will take a picture of us all so she can see what you look like, but that’s as far as it goes.”
“Whatever you think is best,” Ali said with a smile, as she kissed her on the forehead.
Chapter Nineteen
A week later after the girls had been dropped off at Marion and Claude’s, Ali and Flick were on their way to Brighton. Flick had slept restlessly, since she had received the letter. Perhaps after today, she’d be able to relax. Thankfully the wedding plans were going well, so there wasn’t any extra stress.
Ali had actually managed to go shopping for her wedding outfit during the week. She had decided on a cream suit. Of course her Mother had to be there to give her approval, and make sure it would go with Flick’s dress.
When they reached the hotel, they checked in and headed to their room.
“I’m going to have a shower and get changed. I’m going to make sure I look presentable,” Flick said rummaging around in a suitcase.
“Baby, you have two hours before the meeting, and you always look presentable. You look gorgeous all the time. Even first thing in the morning.”
Flick kissed her.“You’re biased though, darling. I want to make sure she realises what she gave up.”
Flick went to shower, change and apply makeup. She had chosen a very nice dress to wear, which showed off her shape perfectly. She was pleased with the seductive look Ali gave her, when she came out of the bathroom.
“God, Flick. How am I going to keep my hands off you?”
“We can go downstairs, and have a drink before she gets here. Less temptation that way.”
They left the room and headed for the hotel bar. As they walked across the lobby the reception the manager called out to Ali. Flick continued on to the bar, where she ordered a bottle of wine. There was a subtle clearing of a throat behind her, she looked up to find the barman standing there.
“Excuse me, Ms Bromwell, there is a lady here to see you.”
“Thank you, can you please show her in, and I’ll need another glass.”
Flick stood and started to scan the area around her. Where the hell was Ali? She was starting to worry now. The bartender approached with a woman who appeared to be in her mid fifties. She was tiny. Flick knew that this was June. She definitely had June’s eyes.
“Hello, Felicity.”
“Hello, June,” Flick tipped the barman and he left them alone. “Would you please excuse me a minute, my partner is here and I’d like the two of you to meet.”
She plucked her phone out of the evening bag she, had brought down and called Ali.
“Where are you? You have got to be joking? Do you need me to come and help sort this out? Okay if you’re sure. See you in a while.”
June looked up at her, “problems?”
“Apparently they have a problem, with some of the wedding arrangements.”
“Who’s wedding?”
“Mine.”
“Oh, you’re not already married then?”
“I was a long time ago, but that ended disastrously,” she answered vaguely.
“I see. I like your engagement ring, it’s very beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“So, I should probably start by telling you why I had to give you up.”
“Well that would be a good place to start.”
“I was very young, and wasn’t married. My parents wouldn’t let me keep you. I wanted to badly, but I was forced to give you away. I cried the morning they came and took you away. I was told not to even consider contacting you. My family were very religious and strict. I finally left home when I was twenty one.”
“I see. Well there is probably no point in telling you, that I had an awful childhood. I was never adopted, so I spent the first sixteen years of my life in and out of foster homes.”
“I’m sorry, I had no idea. I was told that you had been adopted. I began with the adoption agencies, when I started looking for you. I now know why I couldn’t find you. What questions would you like to ask me?”
“Who is my Father?”
“He was a young soldier, who was based at the nearby army barracks. It was a one and done affair unfortunately.”
June saw Flick smile at an approaching woman. The woman bent and Flick accepted her kiss easily. The woman then sat in the chair next to Flick. Flick took her hand and smiled at the woman.
“June, I’d like to introduce you to Ali, my fiancée.”
Ali shook June’s hand then poured, them all another glass of wine. She ordered another bottle, before she entwined her fingers with Flick’s.
“Your fiancé is a woman?” June asked surprised.
“Yes. We’re getting married next year.”
“Oh, I see.”
“You don’t though do you?” Ali said.
“Well like I said, I had a very religious upbringing. I believe that love is something that is shared by a man and a woman and that everything else is a sin. I’m sorry, it’s what I was brought up to believe.”
Flick cleared her throat, “I can tell this is the only meeting we shall be having. Ali and I are very much in love with each other, and I will not be giving her up for anything.”
“I can understand that, but I can never accept two women being together.”
“Very well. I have a few more questions for you, and then if you want to leave you can.”
They talked for another twenty minutes.
“Before you go, June, would you like to see a picture of our Daughters?” Flick asked.
“You have children?”
“Yes, from my previous marriage, but their Father has nothing to do with them. They are now legally Ali’s and mine. Ali adopted them last month.”
She passed a picture to June, and June’s mouth fell open. “They’re gorgeous, Felicity. Are they Bromwells?”
“No, they’re now Macguire’s just like I will be soon. We may be lesbians, but we agree on having only one family name. The girls asked if they could take Ali’s name.”
“Well how lovely, two girls being brought up by two lesbians. I suppose they’re in training to become one of your clan too.”
Ali was on her feet, she had heard enough of this woman’s opinions and attitude, she was fuming. During Flick’s questions she had been nothing but insulting.
“Now it’s my time to talk, lady. You have no idea about our family. You’ve insulted Flick an
d me enough already. You cannot possibly pass judgement, on her life as you gave that option up a long time ago. The girls are not lesbians in training, as you might think. Homosexuality is not something you can catch. The girls will be brought up by us, and will live with us until they are ready to leave of their own accord. They have their own minds, and we encourage them to use them, they make their own choices. But know this, we will never turn our backs on them, no matter what.”
Flick rose and stood next to Ali. She wrapped her arm around Ali’s waist to try and calm her down.
“I’m sorry you can’t accept this, June. But you have never been a part of my life, and you are not going to be in ours now. My family are the most important thing in the world, and that includes my wife to be. You are so blinded by the hatred that you were filled with, when you were younger. Yes I’m a lesbian. But I’m not worried for either of our souls. We have two beautiful children, who we are raising as beautiful individuals. When my time does come, I will be pleased to meet my maker, knowing I have loved and lived life to the full.”
The hotel manager approached, “Ms Bromwell, is everything okay?”
“Yes, Mr Phillips, everything is fine thank you, this lady was just leaving,” She turned back to June. “It was nice to meet you, June, but I haven’t got room for another Mother in my life. That’s Marion’s job. She may be Ali’s birth Mother but she is also my Mum. Please keep the photo of our family. It will remind you of what you gave up.”
With that Flick took Ali’s hand and strode off towards the bar. She squeezed Ali’s hand for strength, not sure her legs would support her.
“Order another bottle, baby. As soon as she’s gone, we can go and sit back there.”
Flick turned around to see June being escorted out of the building. She spied the manger waiting for her back at the table and made her way over to him. “I’m sorry, that was my birth Mother. That was our first and last meeting. If she shows up for the wedding, don’t let her in. She is a homophobic bigot, who can’t see the happiness in mine and Ali’s life.”
Love Returns Page 18
