She's Captured my Love (Captured #4)

by Karen Frances

  I thought she was about to turn her back on me. I should’ve know better.

  “I think you had better tell me about that night and anything else I might need to know,” she says, taking my hand and leading me to the bed. “I want to be prepared in case I get stopped by journalists.”

  We sit, I talk and she listens without interrupting me until I finish. She then sits quietly, deep in thought for a few minutes, although for me it feels like hours.

  “Okay, you have to call your dad, we will both give a statement. A press release whatever you want to call it. I’m going to call my parents and give them the heads up. I’m sure they won’t be happy getting woken up, but they need to hear this from us. I suggest you call Tom and Moria and do the same. Then we will have breakfast and go to the hospital and see Libby. Before we go, I will call Michael and find out if there is any change in my brother, if there is we visit him. If not, we come home and deal with whatever we have to.”

  She never fails to amaze me.

  “Okay, but I’m worried about your parents.”

  “I’m not. This is nothing compared to some of the stunts and escapades of my brother and Michael. So really try and not worry about it. My dad has had to pull strings for Alex and Michael on more than one occasion.”

  She gives me a quick kiss before picking up her phone. I leave the room and let her speak to her parents on her own. Going downstairs I dial Tom’s number. He answers straight away.

  “I was just going to call you,” he says. I close my eyes and try to mentally prepare myself for the worst.

  “So you’ve seen the newspaper then?”

  “Yes, Moria’s not yet. But I wanted to speak with you before she reads it.” I can understand that. “How is Sophie?” he asks, taking me by surprise, not what I had expected.

  “Sophie is on her phone to her parents as we speak. She is taking it all really well. Better than me in fact.”

  “So you have both talked?”

  “Yes, Tom, and also with my dad. He was here about an hour ago. We are going to do a press release, at some point today I think.”

  “So is it true?” I was wondering when he was going to ask that question.

  “Yes . . . I’m not proud of it.”

  “No, I don’t suppose you are. I could say a lot on this, but I don’t see the point. I can hear the disappointment in your own voice. We all make mistakes, Ethan, it’s just unfortunate that you live in the public eye. Or rather have a sister who is married to Alex. Tell Phil if there is anything he needs me to do, just to get in touch.”

  “I will and I’m sorry for putting you and Moria through this,” I tell him.

  “Don’t worry about it. Yes, it was a shock seeing all details of the accident all over again, but Lindsay is in our thoughts every day. We will never get over it.” I sigh deeply. “Ethan, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. You are young and have a full life ahead of you with Lucy and hopefully Sophie.”

  I stop him because I know what he means. Lindsay was their only child, I knew what she meant to both of them. “Tom, I know what you mean. I’m just sorry that I have disrespected three families.”

  “Look, try and not dwell on that. I don’t think you’ve disrespected anyone, but then again I know more of your story than most. Concentrate on you and Sophie today. We can have Lucy until tomorrow, if it helps.”

  “Are you sure?” I ask him.

  “Yes, we’ve both missed her while you were in New York. Now, how are Alex and Libby?”

  “It’s a mess, Tom. Alex came round late last night but has no memory of Libby. Sophie refuses to see him until he remembers and Libby was kept in the hospital last night as well.”

  “Are she and the twins okay?” he asks, sounding genuinely concerned.

  “I hope so, she is getting a scan today.”

  “Tell her we are both asking for her. When things settle down, I’m sure Moria will want to pay her a visit. Now, as I said, concentrate on you today, don’t worry about Lucy.”

  “Thanks, Tom, for everything.”

  “No worries. Speak to you later.”

  I hang up just as Sophie comes downstairs and joins me in the kitchen. She comes over and I pull her into my lap. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, resting my head against hers.

  “I don’t want you to apologise to me all day. We need to move on and deal with it. How did Tom and Moria take it?”

  I proceed to tell her about my conversation with Tom and also the fact they will keep Lucy until tomorrow. She smiles and I can already sense what must be going on in her mind.

  “What about your parents?” I ask.

  “As I expected, Dad is going to call Phil. They can sort out a few things together and when we need to we will make a statement, both of us. I’m in this with you.”

  I know she means what she’s said. I kiss her on her nose first and a small smile slowly spreads at the corners of her mouth. I bloody love her from the bottom of my heart. Her soft brown eyes shine, brightening up even the darkest of days. Her lips are moist when I kiss her. “I love you, Sophie.”

  “I know you do and you’re very easy to love in return.”

  I FEEL AS THOUGH I’VE been on the go for hours, wait a minute I have. I’ve been up since what, six am, it’s now going on two p.m. Sophie and I are in my car on our way to Dad’s office for the press release. Richard is meeting us there as well. I am sure Michael is bringing him.

  It’s been one hell of a day so far.

  Libby is now home and under doctor’s orders to rest. She was scanned and her pregnancy is going well. The twins are developing well. But Libby looks bloody awful, I’m really worried about her. But she’s mad with me. So far she’s the only one that has reacted badly to the news article. She even told Sophie, she would be better off without me. I know it but hearing Libby spit the words at me; it left me feeling like shit. Totally worthless. When we left her, she could hardly look at me.

  Alex, well he still hasn’t regained his memory, but the doctors are optimistic about it. He is still in a lot of pain and has bruising and cuts almost everywhere. Sophie wouldn’t go and see him, but I did. It was really strange seeing Alex, because he remembers nothing about me. I now understand what Sophie meant earlier this morning when she said her parents had a lot to put up with him. If he acted this way when I first met him we wouldn’t be friends and there is no way I would let him near my sister.

  Now, as I drive I feel fucking nervous. I can’t believe I’m putting Sophie through this. She doesn’t deserve this. Libby’s words have stayed in the forefront of my mind since she spoke them.

  As if sensing how I’m feeling, Sophie places a hand on my thigh. “Ethan, everything is going to be okay.”

  “I hope so because if it’s not, well I’m not sure how I will cope.”

  We both remain silent for the rest of the journey. I pull up and park the car in the space next to my dad’s car. I sit still wanting to clear my mind, of everything that is racing through it. Soft hands touch my face and turn me to face her. “It’s going to be fine. I’m with you every step, no matter what questions and allegations get thrown in our direction. Come on, I’m sure our fathers will want a bit of time with us before we need to do this.”

  “Thank you,” I say placing a lingering kiss on her lips. “I’m ready now.”

  We exit the car and I take her hand straight away. I need the connection we share now, more than anything else. Dad is waiting with Richard in the main reception. It has been noted that they both seem happy. God, I hope it stays that way.

  “Hey, how are you both?” Dad asks.

  “Hello,” says Richard.

  “Yeah, we are both good,” Sophie answers, with a smile that I love.

  “Ethan, we will go to the office and go over this statement.”

  We all go to my dad’s office and Sophie and I read through the statement he has prepared. He has everything covered from that awful night, Lindsay’s death and my relationship with Sophie. There is
also a short statement from Tom, giving Sophie and I, his and Moria’s blessing. I am grateful to them both. Seeing that admission from Tom on the paper in front of me means so much, especially when they don’t have to say or do anything for me.

  Richard assures me this isn’t as bad as it seems. I hope he’s right. Dad speaks to Sophie about what she should say and gives her a few ideas of the questions that will be thrown at her. She is very like Libby and I’m only seeing it today. She tells him she will answer any questions directed at her, but her replies will come straight from the heart.

  Dad seems a bit unsure about this. He tells us it could all go horribly wrong, but Sophie is determined.

  The room door opens and Michael appears. “It’s time,” he says. “Everyone is waiting.”

  Dad and Richard leave the room first. I stand and take Sophie’s hand. Part of me wants to leave the building, that would be the easy thing to do, but the sensible part tells me I need to get this over with. I know it won’t even take that long. Press statements are usually brief and straight to the point.

  “Ethan, this will be fine,” Michael says as we get closer to him.

  “I hope so.”

  We all walk along the corridor to the conference room. I’m sure it holds about thirty to forty people. I’m hoping there aren’t that many reporters in there.

  “Ready?” Dad asks.

  “Yeah let’s get this over with.”

  We all enter the room. Sophie and I follow Dad to the desk at the front. Richard and Michael stand at the back. The room isn’t full but it’s not far off it. But most of the faces in front of me I do recognise from dealings with my father. I wait for Sophie to sit down before I do.

  “Afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.” Dad starts speaking. “I will give you a brief statement with regard to the article that was printed today, then both Ethan and Miss Mathews are prepared to answer a few questions.”

  Nervous.

  “I think it’s safe to say we’ve all seen today’s papers. Now I will try to address each issue individually. With regards to Ethan’s late wife. I don’t think there is a timescale on grief, we each deal with it differently. Ethan is still young and has his whole life ahead of him. He shouldn’t be living in the past in my opinion and I should let you know that Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, Lindsay’s parents share my opinion. But with them in my mind, I should stress that today’s article with all the details about their daughter’s death was most upsetting for them both. Not just them, but everyone who was privileged to be a part of Lindsay’s life. I trust for the sake of the family there will be no other articles with details of Lindsay’s death.”

  There are a more than a few grumbles in the room.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, make no mistakes, the family is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep you from printing anything else about Lindsay. They have today sought legal advice.” I wonder if that is true, or has my dad just made that up? “Now as for Ethan’s mistake. Ethan won’t deny it. It’s true. I’m sure everyone of us in this room has made mistakes we are not proud of. Ethan is no different. His mistake took place during the time he was grieving for his late wife. Was he thinking straight? It has to be said from a personal point of view, no he wasn’t. You can all speculate on what our family was going through.”

  “But none of you will actually know. Ethan had to deal with not only the death of his wife, but she was also his friend and had been since they were small children. That is a lot for anyone to deal with, but on top of that, there was the birth of his beautiful daughter.”

  I feel myself smiling at the mention of Lucy.

  “I’m not going to sit here and paint a picture that everything was rosy, because it wasn’t. It was a really tough time for our family. We all had struggles dealing with the situation, but none more than Ethan. But to get back to the allegation in the paper, Ethan is certainly not proud of it. A mistake that happened during one of the darkest periods of time. Now, as for the lady in question, I’m sure she has a smile on her face with her fifteen minutes of fame and no doubt she was paid handsomely from the newspaper.”

  “Can I ask a question?” a reporter shouts out.

  “I told you once I’ve finished. That brings me to the relationship between Ethan and Miss Mathews. Their relationship is still in the very early stages and who knows what the future will bring for not just them but Ethan’s daughter as well. Well, I think I have covered everything. Now, we will take questions.”

  “Ethan, your night with Miss Adams, how will you explain that to your daughter?”

  “If I’m truthful, I don’t remember my night with Miss Adams. It’s all very hazy, like most parts of my life back then. But I will be honest with my daughter, when she is older. I don’t want secrets between us. I regret that night. I apologise to my family who have suffered too much pain and anguish without me adding to it.”

  “A question for Miss Mathews. How are the new Mr. and Mrs. Mathews?” Both Dad and I look at Sophie for her response. I also catch the look that comes from Michael.

  “The happy couple are just that, happy. They have an exciting time to look forward to. An exciting time for us all as a family. Now was that the question you wanted to ask or do you have a question that relates to why we are here?”

  Yes, Sophie Mathews is every bit the confident woman. Libby probably wouldn’t handle this situation just as well. She would be so nervous, but Sophie, she doesn’t come across as being nervous, at all.

  “Yes, Miss Mathews I do have another question. Don’t you feel that you are second best, to Ethan’s dead wife?” I gasp at the bluntness and rudeness of the question.

  Sophie takes a deep breath before answering. “No. I can honestly say I don’t. We all have people who we may have loved over the years, but what I hold onto is how Ethan makes me feel now. The present, not the past. He makes me feel loved, and safe.”

  “But doesn’t him being a single father cause problems?”

  “Why would his daughter be a problem? You obviously don’t have children yourself, otherwise you wouldn’t have asked such a stupid question. Children are never a problem in society. Ethan loves his daughter, it’s clear to everyone who spends time with them, including me.”

  “But aren’t you worried that you will never be his number one priority?”

  “Your line of questioning, is there really a point to it?” she asks, before answering. “No, I’m not worried. The way parents love their children is completely different to the way we love our partners.” I can see Richard smiling as Sophie answers these questions. “That’s how it should be.”

  The reporter seems a little pissed off that he hasn’t been able to rattle Sophie’s cage, so to speak.

  “Is that all?” Dad asks the room.

  “I have a question for Ethan. Ethan, I speak for myself, but it looks as though your relationship with Miss Mathews might be moving quicker than your dad suggests.”

  “Where is the question in that statement?” Dad asks the reporter.

  “Phil, you know what I mean and I’m sure everyone here would love to know the full facts.”

  Dad tries to speak but I stop them. Sophie has been honest and upfront; it’s only fair I do the same.

  “Yes, my relationship with Miss Mathews has developed quicker than I had expected and I suppose, that is what has come into question today. I love Sophie, there is no doubt in my mind about my feelings for her. Yes, this has been as much of a shock to me, as it has been to everyone else. I never thought I would let anyone into my heart, for fear at the risk of losing them. But the one thing I’ve learned in recent months is that you need to live for now and the future. Not the past.” I say the last part with my eyes on Sophie. I need her to know how I feel. Well, now the nation will be aware of how I feel about her.

  Dad answers another couple of quick questions before we leave the room although he stays. Sophie’s hand is still in mine. We stop in the corridor.

  “That was fantastic, you two,” Dad says as he
reaches us. “I’m sure there will be a much better story in tomorrow’s paper.”

  “Yeah, I have to agree,” says Richard. “It went better than I had hoped.”

  “Now that is all done what’s everyone’s plans?” Michael asks.

  “I don’t know, I just want to go home,” I say with my eyes on Sophie.

  “I’m going to head back to the hospital,” says Richard.

  “Remember and keep us posted with how Alex is,” Dad says.

  “We will. What are you doing Michael?”

  “I’m going to check on Libby, hopefully Kirsty is off later and can come and see her. She wasn’t great when I stopped by earlier. Having said that, she has mentioned going to work.”

  “She had better not.” Dad sounds angry. Maybe Sophie and I should go and see her again, but after the day we’ve had so far I just want to be alone with her. And I’m not sure Libby wants to see me.

  “Do you have time to go and see Libby?” Dad asks Michael.

  “Yeah, but could we meet at the nightclub later?”

  “Of course, drop me a text with the time. Now, you two go off home and I will speak to you tomorrow. Ethan, do yourself a favour and call Tom.”

  “I will, thank you, all of you.”

  When we get to my car, I notice my phone flashing. I didn’t want to take it with me just in case it started ringing during the statement. A few text messages.

  Libby; Sorry for earlier I do love you x

  Another from her; You did great. You both did. It’s clear to see just how much you love each other x

  I had completely forgot the press conference was being shown live.

  One from Stephen; I’m sorry mate. I feel it’s my fault you’re going through this. On the plus side it looked great and sounded better. Sophie done brill

  I hand Sophie my phone, so she can read the texts as I start the car. During the drive I call Tom. He and Moria are both pleased with how things went today. I offer to go and collect Lucy, but I’m told to get her tomorrow. So we have the rest of the today to ourselves.