Doubt (The Connected Series Book 1)

by KA Hobbs

“Jane...?” Doug says to the blank screen. There is movement and Jane’s face appears on the screen. She looks tired.

  “She has fallen asleep. She is exhausted, Doug. She isn’t sleeping well, she has missed you terribly. I think you not being around to talk to her… she knew you were coming back, but I just think she was scared you were going to leave her too. I’m not sure how much longer we can keep you two separated. It is breaking her heart and I can’t keep watching it. She has had enough sadness in her life already.” she wipes a tear from her eye and breathes in a shaky breath. “Can we come sooner? I know it was all planned for a weeks time, but I don’t know what state she will be in then.” Jane’s face is full of worry and concern as she looks down, at a sleeping Abigail, I imagine. Doug wipes his eyes too and clears his throat.

  “Of course. I just want to her to be happy. I miss her terribly too. I’ll arrange flights, when can you leave?” he grips me tighter and sighs.

  “We’re free to go anytime, sooner rather than later though Doug, I think.” he nods his head.

  “I’ll see what the earliest flight I can book you all on is and phone you back. Thank you Jane, for everything.” she smiles a water smile at us.

  “There is no need to thank me, she is my world Doug, and I know she is yours.”

  “She is. I’ll speak to you soon.”

  They disconnect the call and we just sit there, I’m not aware there are tears running down my face until Doug wipes them away.

  “I need to look at flights, will you come with me? I really don’t want to be alone right now.” I grasp his face in my hands and nod.

  “I don’t either.”

  It doesn’t take long for Doug to find a flight; there is space on one leaving New York tomorrow. I wince when I see the cost.

  “Ouch! How can they charge that price?” Doug doesn’t even blink.

  “Because they know someone, somewhere will buy it. And tonight, that person is me.” He books them in then phones Jane back to tell her the details.

  “I’ll be there to pick you all up. Kiss her goodnight for me will you, and tell her there are only a few hours left till we can be together.”

  “I will. Thank you Doug. We’ll see you very soon.”

  We’re both exhausted after all the traveling and little Abigail’s tears. We make our way up to bed and slip under the covers. Doug pulls me into his chest and wraps his arms around me.

  “Sophie?” he whispers, not sure if I am asleep.

  “Yes?” I whisper back.

  “My little girl is so sad. My heart feels like it is breaking. I want to hold her and I can’t.” his body is trembling and I know there are tears. I look up at him, taking his face in my hands.

  “I know, I wish there was something I could do to help, to make this easier on all of you.” I wipe his tears and kiss his lips, “I wish I could do something.” I whisper against his lips.

  “Will you come with me tomorrow? To pick them up?” he clings to me, like I am everything he needs.

  “If you think that is a good idea, then yes.” What time will they get in?”

  “About five in the evening. Will you have finished work by then?”

  “I don’t have shoots tomorrow; I just have a couple of meetings. I can be finished in time to come with you.” a little of the tension leaves his body.

  “Thank you. I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t here.”

  “You won’t ever have to find out.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  I feel nervous. I’m standing in arrivals waiting for Abigail, Jane and Ian and my stomach is doing flips.

  “Relax will you.” Doug squeezes my hand and looks at me, “It will be fine.”

  I try to calm myself, really I do, but I just can’t. I changed outfit five times before I finally decided on my best pair of jeans and my favourite pale pink jumper. My hands are sweaty and I am starting to feel a little sick. Actually... not a little sick, a lot sick. Oh god. I look around frantically searching for the toilets, when I see them; I drop Doug’s hand and run. I hear him call after me, but I don’t have time to stop. Bursting through the door, I throw myself into a cubicle and throw up. Ugh. I hate being sick. After my stomach is empty, I still have to deal with the dry heaves.

  When I think it is safe to get up, I wipe my mouth again and flush. Getting to my feet, I feel a little lightheaded. I sit down on the toilet seat and press my hand to my forehead. I’m sweaty and yucky. Great, just the impression I want to make. I leave the cubicle and face myself in the mirror. I look pale and a little sweaty, but okay. I use some paper towel to wipe my face and rinse my mouth.

  I step out of the toilets and look for Doug. He is still standing where I left him, his eyes alternating between the arrivals door where people are coming through and the toilet I disappeared in to. When he spots me, he waves me over.

  “Are you okay?” he looks worried.

  “I got a little sick. Nerves I think.” he kisses my temple and sighs.

  “Do you still feel sick?” he asks.

  “No. Just a little shaky. I’ll be fine.” I assure him. He leans in and goes to kiss me; I move my head shaking it furiously.

  “No! Sick breath!”

  “Okay.” He laughs.

  Just as we turn to look at arrivals again we hear a high pitched.

  “Daddy!”

  Doug’s eyes search the group of people and find his daughter, he looks to me and beams, before running towards her. He kneels down. Scooping her up in his arms and showering her with kisses. She holds on tight and giggles.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.” he breathes into her neck, holding her to him.

  “I’m here daddy, see?” she laughs. He laughs too and hugs her again. Her eyes look over and find mine.

  “Sophie!” she squeals, leaving Doug’s arms to run over to me. Her little arms wrap around my legs and she squeezes.

  “Hello Abigail, it is so lovely to finally meet you.” I smile, patting her head. She releases me and I bend down so I am eyes level with her.

  “You are more beautiful than a Princess.” she gushes reaching out a little hand to stroke my hair.

  “Thank you. Are you excited to see your Daddy?”

  “I’m so excited. And I was so excited to meet you, Sophie.” She throws her arms around me, squeezing my neck. I close my eyes, soaking up the happiness she brings to me. When I open my eyes, Jane, Ian and Doug are standing looking at us.

  “Hi.” I grin at them, Abigail lets go of me and takes my hand, turning around too.

  “Daddy, can we go to your house now?” Doug smiles and kneels down.

  “Yes we can.” he kisses her little button nose. She takes his hand in her empty one and smiles at her.

  “Come on Pops, Nana! Let’s go!”

  When we get to the car park, Abigail announces that she wants to sit next to me in the back.

  “You can do whatever you like, sweetheart.” Doug smiles, as he straps her in and ruffles her hair.

  “Daddy! You messed my hair.” she puckers up her little lips and frowns at him from under her fringe.

  “Sorry, baby girl.” he tries to smooth it down making her squeal.

  “Sophie! Sophie! Help!” she laughs trying to bat away his hands, “Daddy, Sophie will do it!” I look at them, laughing along with them.

  “Daddy can’t do hair.” Abigail looks at me, “He made my bunches wonky when he tried.”

  “Wonky bunches? That is terrible.” I laugh

  “I’ll sort it, Doug.” he locks eyes with me and smiles so wide, it almost takes over his whole face. I love you so much he mouths at me, I love you too I mouth back.

  When we are all in the car, Doug drives us to his apartment. Abigail holds my hand the whole time, looking out of her window, smiling at all the different things she sees.

  “There are sheep over there!” she points, her face full of excitement. “I like sheep.”

  Jane and I chat in the back while Doug and Ian chat in th
e front. Jane is a retired teacher.

  “It wasn’t possible to keep working once Lauren got poorly; I needed to be at home for Abigail. So I gave it up. I do miss it.” she smiles.

  “What do you do, Sophie?”

  “I’m a makeup artist. It keeps me busy. It is a wonderful job.”

  “Sophie has landed some big jobs recently, Jane. Working for a big magazine.” Doug locks eyes with me in the rearview mirror and smiles, pride evident in his eyes.

  “What a wonderful job, maybe you could give me a few tips.” she laughs.

  “I don’t know.” I reply, “You’re beautiful.” she grasps my other hands and squeezes it.

  “Thank you.” she smiles.

  When Doug pulls into his car park, I look over to Abigail. She is fast asleep. Her little bottom lip puffed out, gripping my hand in one of hers and her teddy in the other.

  “Doug, Abigail is fast asleep…”I whisper to him, he turns in his seat and a look of pure devotion fills his face.

  “I’ll carry her up.” Ian says from next to Doug, his face falls for half a beat before he says.

  “Do you mind if I…” Ian shakes his head.

  “Of course, I’m just used to doing it. Go on, carry your daughter, Doug.” he pats Doug on the shoulder and unclips his seatbelt.

  “I’ll get the bags.”

  Doug unclips Abigail and lifts her into his arms; she sighs contentedly and snuggles closer into him. We get all the way up to the apartment before her little eyes flutter open.

  “Daddy....” she sighs, snuggling into him “I was dreaming we were at the beach.”

  “We were? What were we doing?” he whispers in her ear.

  “Building sandcastles.” she smiles sleepily.

  “Sounds like fun.” his big hand rests protectively on her back.

  “Are you awake?”

  “Yes.” She nods.

  “Do you want to see my house?” He opens his door and steps in. Abigail is suddenly wide awake.

  “We’re here?” her head pops up and she looks around. “Wow!” She breathes, looking out of the floor to ceiling windows.

  “You like it?” he looks around with her, almost like he is seeing it all for the first time.

  “I love it!” she is nodding her little head so fast I think it might fall off.

  “Want to go explore?” Doug asks smiling at her.

  “YES!” she yells. He places her on her feet and she runs off in the direction of the kitchen.

  “She is amazing.” I whisper in his ear, wrapping my arms around him. He nods his head.

  “Isn’t she?” he turns so he is facing me.

  “Are you okay?” he looks unsure.

  “I’m fine. A little sicky still, but I’m fine.”

  We hear the lift ping and voices in the hall. Doug walks over and welcomes Jane and Ian into the apartment.

  “Wow. Look at that view.” Jane says, stepping to the apartment.

  “Beautiful isn’t it.” I say.

  “Let me help you with those.” I walk over to help Ian who shoos me away.

  “I’ve got them, Sophie. I’m the man, I do the lifting.”

  “Such a charmer.” Jane smiles and kisses his cheek.

  We all turn when we hear little footsteps coming towards us.

  “Daddy!” Doug crouches down and catches a very excited Abigail.

  “Yes, baby girl?”

  “I want to swim in your pool! It is HUGE!” she tells us all, spreading her little arms wide.

  “You have a pool in here?” Ian raises both eyebrows. Doug shakes his head, no.

  “What do you mean?” Doug asks.

  “You know. Your p-o-o-l.” she repeats, sounding exasperated.

  “I don’t have a pool.” Doug looks confused.

  “Yes you do. The one in the room over there.” She points her little finger toward the kitchen and I realise what she is talking about.

  “She means your bath.” I laugh “It is pretty huge!” I say to a beaming Abigail.

  “Nana, did you bring my bathing suit?” Abigail’s asks Jane.

  “Yes I did. But you don’t need it if it’s a tub sweetheart.” she laughs.

  “Its not a tub, Nana.”

  “I’ll go fill it up! Bring your arm bands!” I laugh.

  “See!” Abigail laughs running after me.

  ***

  “What are you doing?” he is amused.

  “Hi, daddy.” Abigail says, her little tongue poking out from between her lips in concentration.

  “I am making Sophie a Princess.” She replies, dipping the brush back in to the silver glitter. Doug walks around so he can see me. Looking up at him, he raises his eyebrows at me.

  “You look lovely.” he says, trying to hide his laugh.

  “Isn’t Sophie the most beautiful Princess, Daddy?” she says as Doug sits on the floor.

  “Yes she is.”

  “Allllll finished.” she smiles. I pick up the mirror and smile.

  “Not bad.” I grin.

  “Your turn next?” she shakes her head at me.

  “No?” she shakes her head again and grins.

  “Daddy is going next.” I burst out laughing and Abigail giggles.

  “Daddy is not going next. Daddy isn’t a princess”

  I look at Abigail and nod my head. Then I jump off the bed, straddling Doug, waist and pinning his hands by his side.

  “Abigail. Do it!” I laugh. Doug looks up at me, shaking his head.

  “You are in so much trouble.” I know if he really wanted to, he could easily buck me off him.

  Secretly, I think he likes it... in fact... the solid erection I can now feel between my legs is proof he likes it. I raise my eyebrow at him, Later I mouth at him. His eyes heat and he nods. Abigail brings the brush over to Doug and kneels next to him.

  “Now, daddy. You need to keep still, doesn’t he, Sophie.” she says looking from Doug to me.

  “Yes you do, Daddy. No moving.” he grips my hips, squeezing me slightly but does as she asks.

  “Close your eyes please.” She sweeps the brush over Doug’s eyelid covering it with purple glitter. She looks at me and giggles, then does the other one.

  “How about lipstick?” I suggest.

  Abigail goes back to the bed and picks out the brightest red she can find. While her back is turned, I grind myself onto his erection a little, making him buck his up into me.

  “No moving, Daddy! I’m not finished yet.” Kneeling down again she starts to put the lipstick over his lips, going a little over and on to his skin.

  “Put them together, like this.” she pushes her lips together and makes a kissing sound.

  “Done.” she giggles. “Do you wanna see?” she is hopping on one foot.

  “Yes.” he sits up, taking me with him making Abigail squeal. She passes him the mirror and he groans.

  “I look like a girl…”

  “You look like a Princess.” Abigail says proudly.

  “But I’m a boy.” he looks at her pouting.

  “Not today.” she laughs when Doug reaches for her, ticking her sides.

  Watching them roll around on the floor, I laugh. Doug looks over and changes tact, lunging for me, he starts tickling my sides.

  “Stop!” I laugh getting breathless.

  “No! Abs, help me!” Doug calls out to her.

  “No! Abigail, don’t!” Tears are running down my face. Abigail jumps on Doug’s back and tries to pull him off me.

  “Stop! Daddy! Stooooop!” She laughs.

  Doug reaches round and drags her off him, placing her on the floor next to me and tickling us both. Abigail squeals and laughs, turning herself over she wraps her arms around me and holds on tight.

  “Girls together.” she smiles at me.

  “Girls together.” I smile. He leans over us both, wrapping an arm around both of us.

  “My beautiful girls, shall we go have some lunch?” he asks.

  “Sounds good.”
r />   We all clamber up and head for the kitchen, half way down the stairs, I sway, feeling light headed. I sit down and wait for it to pass. I must have been overdoing it.

  As I go to get up, I am hit with a wave of nausea and run back up the stairs and into the bathroom, emptying what little I have in my stomach. Ugh. I really do hate being sick and this is the fourth time in two days. I flush the loo and go to splash some cold water on my face. I feel a little hot and incredibly tired. I walk down stairs get a glass of water and tell Abigail and Doug I’m not feeling too well so going for a lie down.

  “Can I get you anything?” Doug asks.

  “No, I just need to lie down.” I kiss his cheek and pat Abigail on the head.

  “Why don’t you take Abigail to the park while I rest?” I suggest.

  “Can we go to the park, daddy?”

  “Good idea. Give you some peace. Feel better.” he calls after me.

  I sure hope I do.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  The next few days are crazy. Jane and Ian decide to go and visit some friends they have in and around London, leaving Doug to have some quality time with Abigail. Doug wants to make sure Abigail does everything she wants to do, so we go to Hamleys, we go swimming, we go to the park lots of times and we go to the Aquarium. Mostly, I feel okay, just very tired, but there are times, like right now, where I am dizzy and sick. I’m sitting in the bathroom, head hanging over the toilet having just thrown up my lunch when Doug knocks on the door.

  “Can I come in?” he asks.

  “Yeah.” I flush the toilet and look up.

  “You look awful, Sophie. You need to the doctors, something isn’t right.” He brushes the hair out of my face then goes over to the sink, wetting a face cloth and bringing it over to me. Kneeling down he runs it over my face, making my heated skin cooler.

  “I will. I’ll get an appointment tomorrow okay. Right now, I just want to sleep.”

  Doug lifts me up slowly and carries me to bed. Placing me gently on the bed, he kisses my forehead and stands to close the curtains.

  “Get some rest, Abigail is fast asleep on the sofa so it will be quiet for a while.” he walks to the door and I call him back,

  “Thank you for looking after me.” I croak, feeling so weak.