She's Captured my Love (Captured #4)

by Karen Frances

  “Is she okay? Are the babies okay?” I rush the questions from my mouth.

  “Of course she is and the babies are fine. She is just worried she has forgotten something. I have gone over everything, and I don’t think we’ve missed anything. Sophie can you go through and speak to her? Lucy is keeping her occupied at the moment.” Mum smiles at Sophie.

  “Of course, I can,” Sophie says. I kiss Sophie before she leaves the room.

  “Everything okay with you two?” she asks.

  “Yeah everything is really good.”

  “Glad to hear it. Now what’s Sophie going to do during the day when you are working next week?” she asks.

  “Didn’t I say? She is going to look after Lucy when I’m working.”

  “Oh!”

  “Mum, don’t look like that. It makes sense Sophie wants to spend time with her, and she would only get bored without having Libby here to do things with.”

  “Yes, I suppose it does. What about Tom and Moria? When will they see Lucy this week if Sophie has her?” I know I should tell her about tonight, it might help ease her concerns. But I can’t tell her yet, I want Sophie to be relaxed before we go over to their house, and if I tell Mum just now Sophie will face a barrage of questions. So no. My mother doesn’t need to know, yet.

  “Mum, they go on holiday. Don’t you remember?”

  “So they do. I have so much going on I completely forgot. So I suppose it works out for the best then. I must say to Sophie I am here if she needs me during the week.”

  “Thanks Mum, I’m sure that would mean a lot to her.”

  “Go and see your sister, I’m sure she could do with seeing you. Now, do you want to stay for dinner tonight?”

  “No Mum, we have plans,” I say and leave the room quickly before she asks what they are.

  I stand in the doorway and watch as Sophie tries to calm both Libby and Lucy down. I could watch Sophie all day long with my daughter.

  “Libby, please you need to try and relax. This can’t be good for the babies, and there really is nothing to get worked up about. Everything has been checked and double checked. Tomorrow is going to be an amazing day. You will need to slow the pace down tomorrow, so you can take every last detail in. You are going to be so beautiful.” I listen as Sophie speaks.

  “I have no idea why I’ve worked myself into such a state.”

  “It’s only natural to be nervous,” Sophie tells her.

  “I don’t do nerves.” I laugh because she doesn’t usually do nerves.

  “Well, sis, it looks like you do.” I grin as I walk toward them. “This is really quite funny.”

  “What!” says Libby.

  “Seeing you so flustered,” I say with a smirk.

  “Have your fun, Ethan Stewart, there will come a day when I can pay you back. So by all means laugh.”

  “I’m sure you will. There’s no doubt about that.”

  We spend the rest of the afternoon sitting chatting about tomorrow. I do try and put Libby’s mind at ease, but it’s not really working. I think the problem lies with the fact, she’s worried about the press. Nothing has been leaked about the wedding, but since the announcement of their engagement, speculation has been rife about possible wedding dates.

  I know my Dad and Alex have gone to great lengths to keep tomorrow away from the media. But this is Alex, who never seems to be out of the public eye, everyone and anyone seems to want to know what’s going on in his life.

  Libby watches Sophie with interest as she spends time with Lucy. She thinks I haven’t noticed, the small smile on her face as she glances between the three of us.

  I’m looking forward to tomorrow; I can’t wait to see all the important women in my life all looking elegant in their dresses. I’m sure my sister is going to be stunning. I have no idea what style or colour of dress she will be wearing, although Sophie has said the dress is perfect. I’ve not even seen my daughters dress; I don’t know why it’s such a big secret?

  Sophie has looked relaxed all afternoon and now that it’s time to leave my parents, she looks a little anxious. The good thing is; everyone here has tomorrow on their mind and haven’t noticed.

  “I’m nervous,” Sophie says turning to look at me, as I park the car in Tom’s drive.

  “Don’t be, just be yourself. They are really nice people. We won’t stay too long, Moria knows I have Lucy in a good bedtime routine.” I place a small kiss on her lips. I feel her whole body tremble and it’s not from my touch. Why the hell am I putting her through this? “Will you be okay?”

  “Yes.” She smiles.

  I sit and watch as she gets out of the car first and makes her way straight to Lucy to unstrap her from her car seat. Lucy giggles as soon as Sophie has her in her arms. I grab the bag with all of Lucy’s things. This girl of mine doesn’t travel light.

  The front door swings open as we walk toward the house, and Moria stands smiling.

  “There’s my beautiful girl,” she says smiling at Lucy. “And you must be Sophie, I’ve heard lots of great things about you. It’s lovely to meet you. Now come on in, and get out of this cold.” Moria smiles welcoming Sophie into her home.

  Sophie smiles shyly at her. I hope this turns out okay.

  I lead the way into their open plan kitchen and family area. We find Tom standing over at the cooker. Whatever he’s cooking, it smells delicious.

  “Hi, Tom,” I say.

  “Ethan, my boy, how are you?”

  “I’m good. Tom, this is Sophie.”

  “Sophie, it’s lovely to finally meet you. Ethan speaks very fondly of you.” I watch as she blushes with slight embarrassment.

  “It’s good to meet you both as well,” she says quickly.

  “So, Ethan tells me you are a fashion designer. He tells me you are very talented,” Moria says as she takes Lucy from her arms, giving Sophie a chance to take her jacket off.

  “Yeah, although not sure about the talented part, but I do love designing,” Sophie says proudly. I love hearing her talk about her work. “I have my own shop in New York. Libby has a few of my dresses.”

  “That must be hard work? I’d love to see your work,” Moria tells her.

  “I’m sure I have some designs on my phone, I could show you some after dinner,” Sophie says with a bit more enthusiasm. “Is there anything I can do to help?” she asks.

  “No, Tom has everything in hand. Can I get either of you a drink?” Moria asks.

  “Water,” we both answer at the same time. I know I am driving but Sophie could have a drink if she wanted to. But I get the feeling she wouldn’t be comfortable having alcohol. I know she really wants to make a good impression, on them both. She doesn’t want either of them to think bad of her. And I’m sure they won’t, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t make a blind bit of difference to me. It won’t change how I feel about Sophie.

  Moria hands Lucy back to Sophie as she finishes off giving Tom a hand. We both sit down at the table. Lucy decides she would much rather be doing something else; she starts to cry as Sophie tries to put her in the high chair. Sophie stands with her, rubbing her back and she instantly stops.

  “I see our girl has got you wrapped around her finger as well,” Moria says with a huge smile.

  “She has that.”

  Dinner goes very well and even Lucy managed to behave whilst we had dinner. I think Moria likes Sophie, they haven’t stopped talking. I knew Moria would make her feel at ease.

  “So, are you both all set for tomorrow?” Tom asks.

  “Yeah, I think so. We need to be at my parents’ for breakfast.”

  “Ethan, remember and get lots of photos’. I’m feeling bad about not going,” says Moria.

  “Libby understands. These things can’t be helped.”

  “I think I should let you see Lucy’s dress,” Sophie says to Moria. Her face lights up.

  “What about me?”

  “You will see it tomorrow,” she tells me bluntly. Well, that’s me told.<
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  They both go and sit down on the couch, leaving me with Tom and Lucy. It has to be said Lucy is looking tired. I hear Moria telling Sophie that ‘Lucy will be beautiful in her dress and that she’ll outshine the bride.’

  “I see how happy you both are together.” Tom pulls my attention back to him.

  “I am happy.”

  “She seems like a lovely girl and very confident with Lucy.”

  “She dotes on her almost as much as I do,” I say as I look over to where she sits with Moria laughing. I turn my attention to my daughter who would like to be lifted from the high chair. I pick her up and she cuddles in tight to my chest. My baby girl is tired and is more than ready for a sleep.

  “Yes, I can see that.” I see a sadness wash over his face. “Moria and I just want you to be happy and we are both thankful that we are still a part of Lucy’s life.”

  “You will always be a part of not only Lucy’s life, but mine as well. That’s not going to change,” I say in reassurance.

  “Think Moria needed to know this. She was worried that you might shut us out now that you are moving on.”

  “That will never happen.”

  “Well, all I will say, if you see a future with Sophie, go for it. She’s a lovely girl,” Tom says with a genuine smile.

  “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

  “Now, go and take both your girls home and we will see you when we come back from our holiday.” He stands and rubs my shoulder before making his way over to his wife.

  We decide to get Lucy all dressed in her pyjamas, because I know she will fall asleep in the car going home. Then I should be able to just lift her into her cot and then spend a few hours relaxing with Sophie, before trying to get some sleep.

  We say goodnight and Moria gives Sophie a warm hug. I feel relieved at how good tonight has gone. I think its went well but Sophie might have other ideas. I do hope she’s felt welcome here. I understand this would have been very difficult for Tom and Moria as well. Meeting the girl I want to be with.

  “Was tonight better or worse than you expected?” I ask Sophie as I start the car and the engine vibrates as I pull out of the drive for our short ride home.

  “Better,” she says leaning back and relaxing in the seat. “They are really nice people. Moria does seem saddened, but I suppose that’s to be expected. No parent should have to bury their child. I sense she will never really come to terms with what’s happened.” I see a sadness wash over her face, but she quickly regains her composure.

  “You’re right, I don’t think she will. Her and Lindsay were really close. Lindsay told her everything, like she would a best friend. I’m glad you seemed to get along.”

  “We did.” She pauses. “There’s nothing I’m not prepared to do for you and Lucy.”

  I’ve stopped at traffic lights and I turn to face her. I want to lean over and kiss her, because yet again she has taken me by surprise by her choice of words. I turn back and face the road, revving the engine. I need to concentrate and get us all home in one piece.

  And it has to be said Sophie Mathews is a distraction. A very good one at one at that.

  We pull into the drive and park the car. I do what I wanted to do at the traffic lights. I lean over and kiss her. The way I’ve wanted to do all night. The temperature heats up between us. I want her in my bed. Under me. With me buried deep within her.

  “Come on, we should get inside and get Lucy into her bed,” she says pulling away from me panting.

  “Yes and then I want you all to myself. I’m going to feast on every inch of your body, and when I’m finished, I’m going to wrap you in my arms and keep you safe all night long.”

  “There’s no place I’d rather be.”

  “That’s our cue to go inside. Now I hope we manage to get Lucy into bed without waking her.”

  We get out and Sophie takes Lucy straight in the house and upstairs. I lock up and follow them upstairs, to find Sophie tucking her in. I stand watching and listening as she says goodnight to my baby.

  “Sweet dreams, baby girl. I’m sure your mommy is watching over you and also keeping an eye on daddy. I hope she’s not too angry with me, for coming into both your lives. I care too deeply for you both. A lot more than I should.”

  I watch as she kisses her fingers and presses them softly to Lucy’s head. If I had any doubts over my feelings for her, they have all been washed away with her choice of words. She loves my girl, that much is obvious. Now how does she feel about me?

  I want her in my life. Does she want the same?

  I’m sure only time will tell.

  THIS HAS TO BE THE most uncomfortable bed I’ve slept in, in any hotel room. I remove Sophie’s arms from me and climb out of the bed. I walk over and check on Lucy; she’s sleeping soundly in the cot. Leaving the bedroom, I walk through to the sitting room grabbing a soft drink, before switching the television on low. It’s too early for anyone else to be up, it’s not even six am yet. From where I’m sitting I can see clearly outside, even though it’s still dark; the hotel grounds are lit up and I can see it’s snowing again. It wasn’t like this when we left Scotland.

  No, the weather back home had already started changing just before Libby’s wedding. So coming here to snow has been a bit of a shock. It has to be said, New York is bloody colder than Scotland.

  I’m sure today is going to be lovely, but I’m anxious to be meeting Sophie’s extended family, who will all be here for Connor’s wedding. They might already have firm ideas formed about me, being a single father. I now have some sort of idea how Sophie felt about meeting Tom and Moria. But she needn’t have worried too much about that meeting, they both loved her. Moria’s mind was made up, just like my mums was, when she saw her interact with Lucy.

  As I think of today, my thoughts go to Libby’s wedding less than two weeks ago. Life is moving too quickly. I want to slow it down, because I’m scared I’ll miss something important.

  There was a very good reason I didn’t see Lucy’s dress before the wedding. The first time I saw her in it she was in Sophie’s arms. They were both stunning. My baby girl in her pretty white dress with a red ribbon matching Sophie’s dress. I’ll never forget the feelings that swept through me.

  Pride was one.

  Love was another.

  And not just the love I have for my daughter. Yes, this was the day I finally admitted to myself how I felt about Sophie. Yes, I love her and can’t imagine not having her in my life. In both our lives. I want to share everything with her. I want her to be the one who helps me bring up Lucy, every day. I just haven’t plucked up the courage to tell her how I feel. Maybe I will get round to telling her before its time for me to go home.

  Home.

  I’ll be going home alone, but that’s not what I want. I want Sophie home in Scotland with me. With us.

  Libby’s wedding was a magical day, everything was perfect. Even the interview she and Alex gave to one of the leading newspapers. The pictures that made the Sunday papers the next morning, she was beautiful, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from Libby. She’s more like our mother than she probably cares to admit to. Yes, she looks like Mum, but it goes deeper than that. She has the same air of grace about her when dealing with very public appearances. No, Libby doesn’t like being in the public eye, but when she’s put in that position she always looks to handle it well, even though that might not be how she is feeling deep inside.

  Hearing Libby and Alex say their wedding vows to each other brought back a lot of memories. Some good and some not so good. The words they said to each other were truly moving; I don’t think there were any dry eyes in the church. It was a really hard day for me, very emotional. But it was also a day for me to think about my future. I suppose I’ve been doing a lot of that in recent weeks. Taking small steps toward my future. I see a future surrounded by happiness.

  But most of all I see Sophie in my future.

  We saw Libby and Alex briefly last night when they arrived here.
Their honeymoon has agreed with them both. My sister looks fantastic, glowing in fact. They were both tired from traveling but wanted to see Lucy. And Lucy was excited to see them both as well. We hope to spend a day with them at Alex’s apartment before they return home. We came to the hotel a day earlier to let them have some time to themselves when they returned from their honeymoon.

  Sophie has told me today’s wedding will be very different to Libby’s. She says Emma is a bit over the top. I met her last night and I thought she was very pleasant. Not what I expected after both Libby and Sophie’s description of her. So it will be interesting to see what today brings. I’m glad Libby is here; it means I can lean on her for support if I need it. Just in case I face a mountain of questions about my past. I don’t mind talking about it, but I would rather not discuss Lindsay. And I’m sure if anyone does ask questions, they will ask about my late wife.

  These last two weeks with Sophie have been amazing. Back home I spent my nights with her and Lucy. She looked after Lucy whilst I was working. My two girls have grown really close. Dare I say it, they’re like mother and daughter? Sophie loves her that is obvious to me. It was also great having someone to come home to at the end of the day. Someone who wrapped their arms around me when I came home from work and asked how my day was. Even just the normal conversations between us.

  I need to make my feelings known before it’s too late. Or before I do something stupid.

  I now understand Libby’s feelings for Alex. I couldn’t understand at the time, how she could possibly fall in love so quickly. But I now understand when you meet your soulmate, the one you are destined to be with, you can’t help your feelings or explain them. My feelings for Sophie are so intense and I’m not just talking in the bedroom department. Having said that, I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy with that side of any relationship. It’s all the other little things that each of us do for the other to make them feel special. There is nothing you wouldn’t do for them.

  I turn when I hear soft footsteps crossing the carpet. She smiles approaching me. I hold out my arms and she slides onto my knees and cuddles in as I wrap my arms around her. Moments just like this mean so much to me.