The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

  “Yeah, that’s okay. I was supposed to be going out with Courtney but I’ll cancel.”

  “Ask her to come with us. Sam and Marcy won’t mind.” He suggested as he took another piece of shrimp and I stabbed at his hand with my fork and glared at him.

  “Hey, I may be eating for two here and you could be starving your own child.”

  The grin that lit his face made my heart swell and I smiled happily at him. “When are you gonna do the test?” he asked cautiously.

  “In the morning.” I shrugged, still not sure if I was brave enough to actually have confirmation but he still smiled at my nervousness.

  He snagged my plate when I placed my cutlery down having eaten much more than I usually did. “My God Mason, where do you put it?”

  I laughed as he waggled his eyebrows. “Well . . . I have certain expectations to fulfil now and need to keep my strength up.” He winked and I sat back, holding my overfull stomach.

  “Damn right,” I mocked seriousness and he grinned but sat back.

  “Okay, you ready to tell me what’s going on?” he asked as he took the last mouthful of my food.

  “Only if you promise not to blow off!” I told him. He huffed but nodded.

  “Well firstly, this morning as I got to work I noticed a person in a black Ferrari watching me from the roadside.” Mason hissed and I held a finger up. “You promised” I warned and he sighed.

  “Sorry,” he said. “And?”

  “Well when I left work a bloke came up to me in the car park.” I saw Mason’s expression shut down as he ground his teeth but I persevered. “He was just asking for directions but he seemed a bit dodgy. He asked where the late lounge was and it’s directly across from the building and surely he couldn’t have missed it?”

  I shrugged and Mason pursed his lips. “Anyway Olivia and Nate Carter walked over and the bloke got really weird and defensive but backed off.” Mason finally nodded and took a large gulp of his wine. “I phoned Sam to ask him if he could find anything out from NSC surveillance cameras, that’s all. If he found anything about him I would have told you straight away,” I defended and he sighed heavily but still had a fiery expression.

  “Okay, firstly we’ll see if Sam can get a visual on the guy and see if he recognises him. Secondly, I am now gonna run you to work and back and thirdly, you do not leave my side . . . at all!” he commanded.

  I sighed but nodded in resignation. “Okay” I agreed but fiddled with my fork on the table.

  His hand reached over and covered mine. “Ava, please don’t fight me with this. From the state he left your bedroom, he could be dangerous,” he pleaded.

  “I know. It’s just that the bastard can control my life. I like my independence Mason, you know that and now . . . now I won’t have any.” I grumbled and he squeezed my hand.

  “It’s only till we get the fucker,” he promised.

  I smiled. “I know,” I conceded with a yawn.

  “Tired?” he asked softly and I nodded.

  “I shouldn’t though, I napped in the bath.”

  He nodded but gave me a rueful smile. “It’s probably because you’re pregnant, baby”

  I scowled at him. “We don’t know that yet” I said but he shrugged and called for the bill.

  “Let’s get you home to bed,” he grinned and his eyes smouldered.

  “Oh my God, again?” I snorted.

  He bent and placed his lips to my ear. “Yes again, and by the time I have finished with you, you’ll be begging me to make you come,” he growled huskily.

  I squirmed in my seat as my knickers dampened with my arousal. “Okay” I said quickly and stood sharply, grabbing my bag, “Let’s go.” I ushered him across to the maître d to pay.

  CHAPTER 24

  “OH MY GOD,” I whispered as we both sat on the edge of the bath and stared at the thin blue line.

  “Wow,” Mason breathed. “We’re having a baby.” He gulped but then the biggest, hugest, happiest grin broke out on his face. “Oh my god, Ava. I’m gonna be a daddy.” He laughed, picked me up and swung me round. “We’re having a little baby, Ava” he cried. I swallowed and whimpered.

  He placed me down and frowned. “You okay?” he asked and I stared at him, completely stunned. He cocked his head. “Ava?” he asked cautiously.

  I slapped my hand over my mouth and raced across the room and heaved into the toilet.

  “Oh baby, not again.” He sighed and pulled my hair back. “I don’t like this part of pregnancy, I don’t like seeing you ill,” he grumbled as he wiped my face with a cloth and pulled my hair into a tie to hold it off my face so he could stroke my back.

  “I don’t like this either,” I moaned as I continued to vomit.

  “I’ll ring my mother and ask for her advice,” he said.

  “NO!” I cried and threw up again.

  He eyed me warily and I gave him a weak smile in return. “Why?”

  “Because . . .” I said and vomited again, “ . . . Because I don’t want anybody to know yet. It’s too early to tell people.” I groaned and wiped my mouth as Mason ran the tap and got me a glass of water from the sink.

  “Okay, I’ll go to the chemist after I’ve dropped you at work and see what they recommend.” He lifted me up and sat me in the chair, filling my toothbrush with paste and started brushing my teeth for me.

  “Mason, I’m quite capable of brushing my teeth,” I laughed around a mouthful of foam.

  He shrugged. “I want to help” he said sadly and I cupped his face.

  “You do,” I whispered.

  He smiled but carried on. “Spit!” he ordered when he’d finished. I complied and he passed me a fresh cup of water to rinse.

  Pulling me out of the chair he walked me into the bedroom and sat me on the bed then rummaged through the wardrobe, fishing out my black pencil skirt and pinstriped shirt.

  I cocked my head at him. “You like those?” I asked softly and he nodded.

  “These are what you were wearing the first time I saw you and I remember thinking how utterly beautiful you were.”

  I grinned at him, “Really?” I asked and he nodded.

  “Yeah, you made me hard the first time I looked at you and I knew there and then that I had to have you.” He stroked his knuckles across my cheek. “And I am still mesmerized by your beauty, Ava. You are stunning and so beautiful inside and out,” he said softly.

  A tear slipped out and dripped down my cheek. “Hey” he whispered, crouched in front of me and wiped away the tear. “Don’t cry, baby.”

  I frowned through my tears. “I’m scared, Mason.”

  He huddled me up and embraced me tightly. “Me too,” he whispered in my ear. “But you will be a wonderful mother,” he expressed and I squeezed him tighter.

  “We’ll both be wonderful parents” I replied and he grinned.

  “We will.” He smiled happily.

  Mason lifted the T-shirt I wore for bed over my head and proceeded to dress me. The care and tenderness in which he did it took my breath away and I studied his face as he concentrated on buttoning up my shirt; the deep frown lines on his forehead as he concentrated on each button, his strong nose and the contours of his chiselled cheek bones and his sexy square chin, complete with a short growth.

  He was powerful and beautiful and he took my breath away.

  I stroked his jaw with my thumb. “I love you, Mason” I said as a tear slipped from my eye.

  “Hey, shush,” he whispered and huddled me up, kissing my forehead softly. “I love you so much, Ava and I promise to look after you.”

  I knew that he would keep his promise to me.

  * * *

  Mason dropped me outside the main doors of NSC and told me he would pick me up at 6 O’clock and as I entered the building Olivia walked in with me. “Good morning Ava, you okay? You still look a bit peaky.”

  I nodded at her but took a quick glance at her pregnant stomach and gulped as my legs felt wobbly and I developed a rushing in
my ears. “Ava, are you okay?” she asked as she lowered me down onto the steps of the building.

  I placed my head in my hands as nausea raged again. “Oh God” I heaved and raced into the building. I rushed into the main foyer toilets, relieved when I made it before I spewed everywhere.

  I vomited for ages and when I had eventually finished I opened the cubicle door and Olivia was stood, leaning against a sink. “Ava, are you okay?” she asked full of concern.

  I nodded and splashed my face with water and groaned. “Ava . . .” she started and I nodded.

  “Yes I am,” I told her before she could ask.

  “How far gone?”

  She sat on a chair while I leaned on the sink and took some deep breaths. “Only about 4 or 5 weeks I think, I only found out this morning.”

  She nodded and smiled. “That’s great news” she said happily and I nodded slowly. “Isn’t it?” she grimaced and I sighed.

  “I’m not sure yet.”

  I laughed and she nodded in understanding, “The sickness will subside, mine lasted for about 8 weeks but then I was fine.”

  I looked at her. “It’s not the sickness I’m worried about.” I shrugged, “I’ve only been with Mason for about 6 weeks, I think I got caught the first time we had sex . . . oh no, we used a condom the first time so it must be the second,” I scoffed.

  “It wasn’t a planned pregnancy then?” she asked softly and I shook my head.

  “No, I was stupid really. We just seem to get caught up in the moment and forget about using protection,” I told her honestly. She nodded and her eyes glazed over.

  “Isn’t sex great when it’s like that though? The passion and lack of control between the two of you is when you know you are a perfect match.”

  She smiled knowingly at me and I agreed with her, realising she was right and me and Mason were made for each other. “Oh yeah, the sex is great, it’s just that I’m not sure if I’m happy getting caught straight away. Mason and I are still getting to know one another.”

  She stood and took my hand. “You still have 8 months before you have to share him,” she encouraged and I smiled at her insight.

  “Yes I suppose. Mason’s over the moon but I’m still a little stunned but . . . but I feel so happy at the same time. I can’t quite believe I’m going to be a mummy.” I smiled, “but I’m already sick of this damn sickness,” I confessed, feeling the nausea rising again.

  I took a deep breath and blew it out, trying to calm my raging stomach. “I’ll leave you to it,” Olivia said gently. “Come up when you’re ready, no rush.” She smiled and left the restroom.

  I stood still for a while, willing away the sickness and eventually escaped the bathroom and rode the elevator to my floor.

  Tony spent the morning annoying me and being his usual smarmy self. But the day went okay until I got a call from Samantha downstairs. “Miss Stone, there is a Mr Fox in reception for you, is it okay to send him up?”

  I frowned. “ . . . Yeah” I said, wondering what he was doing here as Tony placed a mug of coffee on my desk.

  Shit, Tony!

  “Samantha, I’ll come down” I said quickly but I was greeted with silence. “Samantha?”

  Shit!

  I nibbled on my finger as I waited for Mason to arrive. Ten minutes later he walked through the corridor entrance and his face lit up when he saw me. Striding across the room he leant down and kissed me urgently as he reached me. “God I miss you” he breathed.

  “What are you doing here, Mason?” I asked a little too sharply.

  He frowned and held up a paper bag. “I went to the chemist and got you some anti-sickness pills so I thought I’d bring them in in case you’re still feeling rough” he explained guiltily and I bit my lip, tears pricking my eyes.

  “That is so sweet,” I told him leaning up for another kiss.

  “Hey, no crying” he said gently and swiped the drop off my chin.

  “I can’t help it, I think it’s my damn hormones,” I wept and he pulled me into his arms as I cried.

  I felt him stiffen and I cringed. “Well hello there” I heard Tony say in his smarmy voice. “Is everything okay, Ava?” he asked with way too much sympathy and I cowered in Mason’s arms, prepared for the inquisition.

  “She’s good,” Mason snapped. I pulled back and looked up at him. “I didn’t know you worked here, Tony?” he practically growled and pulled me back into his arms in a possessive manner.

  I gulped again. “Oh, did Ava not tell you? Strange that she didn’t” he sneered and I growled.

  Arsehole!

  Mason stiffened and I saw his fists clench. “She must have forgotten all about you, Tony,” Mason bit back but had a sharp edge to his voice.

  I saw Tony flinch but he just had to push it. “Well she hasn’t mentioned you” he smirked.

  Mason shot up and I clambered to my feet, holding his arm. “Yes I did Tony, I told you yesterday I wasn’t interested because I have a boyfriend,” I defended but Mason took a step towards him and Tony made a swift exit towards the main reception.

  “Mason Fox!!” I heard someone declare from behind me and we both swept around.

  Nate Carter was walking towards us with a slight smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. “I see you have met our resident sleaze bag” he whispered in Mason’s ear as he took his hand and they shook firmly.

  “Nate,” Mason smiled genuinely and slapped his back in a man hug.

  “Good to see you,” Nate declared.

  “How are things?” Mason asked.

  Nate nodded with a smile. “Good, thanks.”

  Mason tipped his head. “And Liv?” he asked. His voice had a sad tinge to it and I wondered why but Nate grinned.

  “She’s good, due in a few weeks.”

  Mason smiled again. “Listen, I’m sorry about last year. It took Sam ages to find him and then . . . you know,” Mason said and I frowned.

  Nate patted his back. “Hey mate, no problem. She got through it so we’re good.”

  Mason nodded his acknowledgement and I stood looking at the pair curiously but Mason shrugged at me. “Business” he said shortly and I raised my eyebrows at his tone.

  “Okay,” I snapped back and held my hands up in surrender.

  Nate gave Mason a funny look and then turned to me. “You okay Ava? Liv said you were a bit rough this morning?” I nodded and smiled at him, grateful for the subject change.

  “Yeah, I’m good now. Thanks though.” He grinned in understanding to my appreciation of his diversion, he obviously knew what Mason was like.

  Nate went in search of Olivia as Mason stood glaring at me. “What?” I said and he shrugged.

  “Tony,” he said simply.

  I rolled my eyes. “Not here Mason, I’m at work.” I huffed and he glared at me.

  “Fine, we’ll discuss it when you get home” he snapped, turned and walked off.

  I plonked down in my chair and rested my head in my hands, releasing a slow breath. My life, emotions and hormones had changed dramatically since I had met Mason. I wasn’t sure I could deal with his suspiciousness, possessiveness and aggression, constantly walking on eggshells around him.

  I picked up my phone and dialled Courtney, needing a friendly voice. “Hey, babe” she chirped as she answered.

  “Hey you,” I sighed.

  “Okay,” she said, “drink after work? Yellow lion at 6.30?” She could read me like a book.

  “Thank you,” I grinned.

  “Mason?” she probed and I snorted.

  “Sort of but I’ll explain later.”

  I sighed and she was silent. “Ava, has he . . . has he hurt you?”

  “No! No nothing like that” I reassured her.

  “Okay Babe, see you later.”

  I texted Mason and told him I’d be late because I was meeting Courtney, secretly pleased I wouldn’t have to face Mr Grumpy. It wasn’t long before I got a reply.

  MASON

  Avoiding our conversa
tion? How are you getting there?

  ME

  It’s not far. It will be a nice walk. Don’t worry; I definitely want to talk when I get back!!

  Xxxx

  I was adamant I put kisses on the text just to piss him off.

  MASON

  YOU ARE NOT WALKING ALONE! I will pick you up and drop you off.

  Xxxx

  Ha-ha, I won! I got kisses but I was still pissed at the order.

  ME

  I will be fine. I don’t want to be disciplined before I have a drink with my friend. I will get a taxi back from the pub!

  I didn’t receive a reply and I spent the rest of the afternoon ignoring Tony’s snide remarks, secretly envisioning my fist smashing his teeth in but wondered if I would get sacked, and when his hand rested on my shoulder I spent an hour thinking it would be worth getting the sack.

  CHAPTER 25

  I EXITED WORK at 6 O’clock and wasn’t surprised to see Mason waiting for me. Bracing myself for the interrogation I climbed in.

  “Hi, Sweetie” I greeted with a sickly smile and he narrowed his eyes on me. I see Mr Bad-tempered was playing this evening so I ignored him and looked out of the window.

  “Where to?” he huffed and I stifled a giggle at his crankiness, thinking he was like my own personal taxi.

  “Yellow Lion please, darlin.’” I winked dramatically at him and I was sure I saw a slight twitch on his lips. “Been busy this evening, guvnor?” I mocked and there it was again. “Ah ha, it’s coming” I teased and he growled at me.

  “For god’s sake Ava, it’s not funny!”

  He slammed the gears and spun round the corner at speed. “Hey, pregnant lady!” I reprimanded. He slowed down but didn’t say anything.

  I gave up and looked out of the window, watching everybody’s life go by and sighed when he pulled up at the pub, still in a mood.

  As I reached for the door handle he grabbed my arm. “Ava” he started and I huffed.

  “What Mason? What are you going to tell me off for now?” I snapped.

  He let go and sighed. “Just let me know when you’re done and I’ll fetch you” he sighed. I rolled my eyes again and climbed from the car, slammed the door and entered the pub without looking back as I heard him speed off.