George skipped around them. “Grandma and Grandpa are here, too!”
Carly and Stella’s cheeks held a pink tinge as they took a step back from each other when Helen’s and Thomas’s car stopped a few metres away from them. George sprinted away from them when he saw his grandpa climb from the car. He was soon held in muscular arms, and a kiss was placed on his cheek.
“You’re getting heavy, GT.” Thomas set him down and ruffled his hair.
Stella saw Carly’s eyes bunch up as she frowned. “Dad, always calls him GT. It stands for George Thomas.”
Carly chuckled as George grabbed hold of her hand and tried to pull her inside. “She calls me Georgous,” he declared tugging harder on her hand.
Carly snorted and rolled her eyes. “That’s because you’re so cute.” She finally gave into the pressure from George and snatched her gift from the floor just before she let him lead her inside. “I’ll put this in your room until we can work on it at the weekend.”
Helen slipped her arm through her daughter’s and guided her into the house. “Would you like to tell me what was going on when we pulled up? You certainly seemed to be enjoying yourself.”
Blushing from her hair follicles down to her toes Stella shook her head. “I’ll make us all something to drink.”
The smell of dinner cooking no longer made her stomach churn; instead, it grumbled loudly as the kitchen door swung open and the aroma tickled her nose. “I know I don’t cook very often, but I wanted something special for us to eat tonight, and I wanted to impress Jen’s aunts and show them George is well cared for. You know how much he loves chicken parmesan.”
Helen’s eyebrows rose under her fringe. “You’ll be fine, just be yourself.”
She kissed Stella’s cheek then sat at the kitchen table.
Carly entered the kitchen with George on her heels. She stopped in her tracks and inhaled. “Wow, something smells awesome!”
The front door banged open, causing everyone’s head to swing or turn to look at the source.
Claudia hung up her jacket and marched into the kitchen. “What? I’m not late!”
Stella’s chest bounced as she chuckled at her friend, she shook her head and turned back to her task. “No, you’re not, but you certainly know how to make an entrance.”
Claudia took a seat at the table, and George jumped onto her lap and kissed her cheek. “Hi, Auntie Claudia. Guess what Auntie Carly got me!?”
Stella listened to the excited ramblings of her son as she arranged some mugs on a tray. With George’s voice and the sound of the hissing percolator filling the room, she slipped into her own little world. Carly felt so good in my arms. It felt…um…right. I can’t believe how she manages to calm me so quickly. Wrapping her arms around herself, she hugged herself tightly. Mmm, I can still smell her shampoo. Her body filled with warmth, and she couldn’t explain why. A goofy smile curled at her lips as she re-lived the near kiss they’d almost shared. With a brief peek over shoulder she ensured nobody was paying attention to her. How would I explain the sudden change in me to them?
The milk jug stood empty on the tray, so she reached for the milk to fill it. As the liquid flowed out, the doorbell rang, causing her hand to slip as her body jerked in response to it. They’re here. Her stomach churned, her hands trembled, and there was perspiration on her forehead.
Carly saw the pensive expression and quickly crossed the floor to be at her side. She put her arm around her hips and squeezed her gently. “We’re all here for you, Stel. Don’t worry about a thing.”
“I’ll get the door.” Claudia rose from her seat and strode into the hall.
Stella turned George towards the stairs and patted him on the backside. “I need you to go upstairs and wait until I call you down. I promise it won’t be too long.”
With his lower lip extended, he sighed and stomped up the staircase.
When Stella turned, everyone’s gazes were fixed on her. “What? Please don’t make me feel self-conscious. I need to focus.”
Carly tilted Stella’s chin up using her fingertips, so she could look into her eyes. “You’ll be okay.”
She took Stella’s hand and caressed the top of her thumb with her own.
Stella returned the squeeze and then dropped her hand. “Thanks, Carly.”
Claudia entered the room with their guests. One of them toyed with the buttons on the front of her top, while the other had her hands shoved deep into the pockets of her jeans.
The brunette has got to be Jen’s aunt. The family likeness is strong, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was looking at a taller, older, version of Jen. As the thought raced through her mind, she quivered from head to toe and goose bumps appeared on her arms and tingled down her legs.
“Stella, this is Sophia and Josie Reece.” As she introduced them, Claudia made a hand motion to indicate who was who.
Carly’s hand was in the small of her back and urged her forward. On unsteady legs, Stella finally reached out and shook their hands. Her grip lingered on Sophia’s as she studied her up close. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry we’ve never met before.” Her vision blurred as she scrutinized her dead wife’s aunt. “Forgive me for staring, you and Jen look so much alike… It’s unsettling.”
Sophia took her hand and gave it a brief squeeze. “It’s a pleasure, and yes, the genetics are strong in our family.”
Stella remembered they weren’t alone. She put her hand out behind her and grabbed hold of Carly tugging her to her side. “Forgive my bad manners. Let me introduce you to everyone.”
Helen shook each of their hands then held her arm out. “Let’s go sit in the front room we’ll be more comfortable in there. I’ll follow you in a few minutes once I’ve made us all a drink.”
“I’ll help.” Carly left Stella’s side and turned her attention to the percolator and mugs Stella had already arranged.
Stella led everyone onto the room and headed for her favourite armchair. As she sat back into it, her eyes locked onto Sophia and Josie. “I’m sorry you weren’t informed of Jen’s passing before Claudia phoned you. If I’d have known about you when Jen died, I would’ve called immediately.”
Sophia’s sigh was loud and deep as she scrubbed her face with her hands. “I don’t know where we went wrong with that girl. She had everything she could ever need, and we treated her as one of our own. At eighteen she couldn’t get out of the door quick enough, and to this day, we don’t know why. She was so bull-headed. If there was something she wanted to do there was nothing anyone could’ve done to stop her.” She saw Stella nodding her head. “But after my brother and sister-in-law died, we took her in with no questions asked, and neither of us could have loved her more.”
Stella leaned forward in her chair to be able to see Josie clearly. “Claudia mentioned that you’re foster parents. How long have you been doing it?”
“Over thirty years. We had foster children when Jenny came to live with us. She was the first child we adopted. Since we began we’ve had over seventy children in our care and have adopted eighteen of them. Our eldest is the same age as Jenny.” Josie took Sophia’s hand and linked their fingers together. “We don’t have any plans to stop anytime soon. We love all our kids and only want the best in life for them.”
What amazing women! They both radiate love whenever they talk about their children. I wonder if it’s the right time to introduce them to George. Bugger it! I’ll deal with whatever happens. If it doesn’t work out, then they can let the door hit them on the arse on the way out.
Stella stood and winked at Claudia. “There is someone I would like you to meet, ladies.” She strode out of the room and stood at the bottom of the staircase. “George!”
Within seconds loud fast running footsteps were heard across the landing floor.
“Come down here, there are two ladies I would like to introduce you to.”
George skipped down the stairs, and Stella caught him in her arms when he was two from the bottom.
She took his hand and led him into the living room.
“Sophia, Josie, I’d like to introduce you to George─” Her hands landed on his shoulders as he stood in front of her. “My son.”
Sophia’s eyes narrowed as she stared at George, then as though struck with lightning-bolt of recognition they widened, and she bit her lip. “Is…he?”
Stella’s smile enhanced her cheekbones and her eyes sparkled. “As you can see, the strong family gene has lessened a little, but he does have Jen’s sense of humour and her eyes.” Her hands rubbed George’s shoulders as she knelt next to him. “George, these ladies are your great-aunts Sophia and Josie. They’re your other mum’s relatives.”
Sophia sagged back into the sofa cushion, and the hand Josie held in her own trembled. Her other hand shook just as much as she placed it over her fluttering heart and stared transfixed at the young boy.
George crept slowly closer to them. “I thought you said she didn’t have any.”
“That’s what I’d been told, darling.” Stella opened her arms to him, and he ran back to her and flung his body into her. The air was knocked out of her, causing her to cough and splutter. “Up until the time you brought me those papers, I thought your mum didn’t have any family. It seems I was wrong.”
He released her and ran to his new family members, where he launched himself on to their laps.
Josie’s and Sophia’s tear-filled eyes locked. Josie lowered her hand and stroked his hair. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she tried to control her emotions and failed as a trail of tears fell over her cheeks.
A loud sigh left Stella’s lips as she sat down heavily in her chair once again. A grunt followed as George threw himself onto her lap. She gazed into his blue eyes, and a sense of calm filled her, no matter what state of mind she was in, or how tired she was, one look into her baby’s eyes filled her with tranquillity. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, then stroked his cheek lovingly.
“I love you, kiddo.”
Sophia was able to find her voice, but her eyes never left George. “I hate to ask, as I know this must be distressing for you, but how did Jenny die?”
George was playing with two short strands of Stella’s hair and didn’t look away from what he was doing. “Her heart was bad. It was poorly, and she had some kind of an attack?” His little forehead wrinkled as he peered up at Stella. “That’s the right word, isn’t it?”
Stella’s eyes shimmered with tears as she kissed his cheek. “Yes, love.” She turned her attention back to Sophia and Josie. “Jen’s heart couldn’t cope with the strain of having a baby. Unfortunately, we were only told that they suspected a heart attack at the time, we had to wait four weeks for the results of the post-mortem before they could confirm anything. The doctor who delivered George has remained a family friend and was a huge support to all of us during that time.”
Helen walked into the room and placed the tray on the coffee table. “Lydia, sorry, I mean Doctor Bourne was amazing. She tried everything she could to save Jen.” At the inquisitive looks, she elaborated. “I was in the room with Jen when she gave birth.”
Carly surveyed the room, trying to find somewhere to sit, all the chairs were taken and Claudia had been relegated to sitting on the floor. Picking a spot near the window close to Stella and George, she started to sit down.
Stella stopped her and placed George on her lap, she patted the empty spot he vacated.
As Carly sat, Stella put her hand on Carly’s knee and gave it a gentle squeeze. Carly caught her hand and held it still in her own. Green and amber eyes locked.
For Stella, she lost all sense of her surroundings. It wasn’t until someone cleared their throat loudly that she broke the intensity of it. Her attention turned to Sophia as she saw her lowering her hand from her mouth and sit back into her chair, her thin brown eyebrows were raised as she watched them.
“What I’d like to know is why the hospital didn’t inform us? We were registered as her next of kin.” Sophia reached out and took a mug from the tray.
Claudia leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. “You might’ve been, but as soon as Jen and Stella married, Stella instantly became her next of kin.”
“I loved Jen with every fibre of my being and couldn’t have been happier. When she told me, she wanted us to start a family, I was ecstatic, and we started planning immediately. George is the best thing we ever did, and ever since he’s been able to understand, I’ve told him about her.”
Stella’s mind filled with images of all the documents Claudia had showed her proving her wife’s betrayal. Her posture straightened, and her jaw clenched, causing her teeth to grind together.
“Dad, would you please take George upstairs? I’d like to talk to Sophia and Josie about something I’d rather he didn’t hear.” Turning to her son, she lifted him from her lap and set him on the floor. “George, go and show grandpa what Carly got for you.”
His little face bunched up as he frowned at her. He opened his mouth to argue, but with one look from Stella, he grabbed his grandpa’s hand and led him out of the room.
Sophia took Josie’s hand as they both squirmed in their seats. “Oh, this can’t be good.”
“Claudia?” Stella stared down at her hands and wrung them together.
Claudia stood and went to sit in the newly vacated seat. “As we’ve recently found out about you, there were some other things we discovered. I’m sorry, it may be hard for you to hear this, and it’s extremely difficult for Stella, hence why she’s asked me to tell you…” Taking a deep breath, she ran her hands through her hair and exhaled loudly. “Jen had been embezzling from their company, and I found proof she’d had many affairs over the years she and Stella had been together.”
Sophia lowered her head, the slight wobble of her chest indicated she was crying. Josie’s face was ashen as she shuffled closer to her wife and took her in her arms.
Helen jumped up. “I’ll get some water.”
Sophia buried her head in her hands in despair, and she shook it aggressively from side to side. “I can’t believe she did this. What did we do wrong, Jo? We never raised her to be this way.”
A sob burst from her chest and tears streamed down her cheeks. Stella’s heart thudded as she watched them.
Josie kissed Sophia’s temple as she calmed in her arms. “We didn’t do anything wrong, darling. I don’t know what the hell she was thinking, but if she were still alive, I’d kick her arse for putting us through this!”
Thinking of all the things Jennifer had put her through, Stella felt her temper rising.
“You wouldn’t be the only one.” All eyes instantly snapped in her direction. Carly laid a comforting hand on her back and caressed her tight muscles. “Think about how I feel…I was the one she took for a fool all these years.” She slapped her chest for emphasis. “I was the one who loved her unconditionally and helped her start a business, and I was the one who she was about to start a family with.” Her cheeks were now red and blotchy; her voice rose half an octave with each point she made. “I was the one she fucking lied to, cheated on, and stole from!” The fire inside her veins was swept away with icy realisation. “I feel like an idiot for not seeing what was happening.” The last was whispered as she hung her head in shame.
Josie reached out and patted Stella’s knee. “I think I’d be angry, too, so I can’t blame you for feeling this way. What she’s done is unforgiveable.”
“Thank you for being so understanding. I’d like for you to become a permanent fixture in George’s life and for him to get to know you better. I’m sorry you missed out on his first seven years. However, and I’m sure you can understand this, until I get to know you better, one of us will have to be present when you see him.”
Sophia and Josie exchanged glances, their eyes shimmered, and Sophia’s bottom lip trembled as a smile spread across her lips. “We’d love to, and your protection is warranted. He’s such a precious little guy.”
“He’s definitely
that.” With a smile in place, Stella dropped Carly’s hand and jumped up from her chair. “I think we’ve all had enough for now. It’s time for dinner. You can get to know George a little better while we eat. Don’t worry if he’s a little shy to start with. As soon as he gets to know you, he’ll open up and talk your ear off. I must warn you though, don’t let him talk you into buying him any more Lego, Carly buys him enough as it is, and they can only build one model at a time.”
Sophia and Josie laughed as they stood, too. As Stella wandered past, Sophia touched her arm and pulled her into a brief hug. “I’m sorry for what she did to you.”
“It’s done with now. Claudia, Carly, and I just need to deal with the fallout and repercussions.”
Chapter Eight
Sounds from the TV filled Stella’s bedroom on Saturday morning. George leaned against her as he sat, completely enthralled, watching one of his favourite cartoons.
An empty coffee cup and half a glass of orange juice sat on the nightstand beside them. I love our Saturday morning ritual. The loud music and rolling credits told her his last show had finished. Untangling her arms from him, she threw the duvet off and swung her legs out of bed.
“Okay, time for you to get washed and dressed.” She chased him out of her bed and followed him along the landing to his own room. “Make sure you brush your teeth. I’ll be checking your toothbrush to be certain you’ve used it!” The loud chime of the doorbell rang through the house. “Who the hell can that be?”
Swearing lightly under her breath, she ran down the stairs barefoot and still clad in her pyjamas.
As she passed the hallway mirror, Stella caught sight of her reflection and cringed. Her hair was dishevelled and sticking up at all angles. Oh well, whoever it is should have called first. She pulled open the door, and her eyes widened. Shit! Now I wish I’d done something to clean myself up.
Carly stood on the doorstep, dressed casually in a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a light jacket.
Absolute Betrayal Page 7
