Thirty-Eight Days

by Len Webster

  This would be undeniably stupid, but it’s something she wanted to do.

  “We should do something unbelievably cliché,” he suggested and Clara let out a laugh.

  “Cliché? I’m pretty sure we’re a cliché.”

  “Come on, you said you wanted to do something cliché. Remember when we were in bed the other night. Let me quote you: ‘I want to do something cliché. Like out of a movie or a good old romance novel.’ Does that sound familiar?”

  “Yes. I did say that. I thought you weren’t listening!” Clara grinned.

  “Baby, I listen to every single word that comes from those pretty lips of yours. So let’s do something cliché!” Noel said proudly as he rose to his feet.

  “Like?” she asked unsurely.

  “Like dance in the rain,” Noel stated as he looked out the window. The summer rain continued, but didn’t roar like it did before. Clara looked out the window before she burst out into laughter.

  “You’re not serious?”

  “Very. Now, come on!” He took Clara’s warm hands in his and hoisted her up from the window seat. Clara smoothed her dark blue pleated dress before slipping her hand back into his.

  “This is stupidity at its finest!” she whined, and Noel faced her.

  “It’s not! I’m trying to be romantic here!” he stated, and that’s when Clara burst into a fit of giggles.

  “Like how Romeo romantically kills himself over Juliet?”

  “If you’re going to start comparing us to any literary couple then I’d rather we be more like Elizabeth and Darcy,” Noel clarified.

  Clara’s jaw dropped. “It surprises me that you know Austen. I’m impressed.”

  Noel smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead.

  He led Clara to the balcony doors and let go of her hand. He reached over and placed his phone in the dock on the glass table next to the doors. Noel searched through the Lady Antebellum playlist he asked from Josie. It was easy to be romantic when he had Clara’s friends helping him out. Not that he wouldn’t be romantic without their help; it just took out all the guesswork for him. He pressed play when he saw the song Josie highly recommended, Lady Antebellum’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. The soft sounds of drums and a guitar started to play. Noel walked over to the double doors and opened them. The smell of fresh rain hit him and he smiled. He turned to Clara; she recognised the song.

  “My dear Lady Lawrence, would you care to do me the honour of accompanying me on this spontaneous and unbelievably cliché dance?” Noel bowed and held out his hands. Clara let out a laugh and placed her hand in his. The heat that radiated off her had his heart yearning.

  “Why, Mr Parker, I do believe the honour is all mine.” Clara curtsied effortlessly.

  He led her out on the balcony, away from the patio setting and placed his left hand on the small of her back. His right hand was held out as he started to slowly waltz with Clara under the drizzle of the rain. With each drop that hit her skin, Clara laughed and looked up at the clouds. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. The life in her caused him to fall in love with her, and her beauty struck him speechless.

  A particular line from the song caused him to stop their dance. The rain hit them harder than when they first came out. Noel let go of Clara’s hand and looked at her; concern filled her eyes.

  I can’t keep my love for her unspoken. This would be my heart’s Romeo moment, but at least Clara would finally know that I love only her.

  He breathed out. His heart beating erratically, the rain covered his sweat and the nerves setting in. Noel could only hope she returned his love. Closing his eyes, he let the cold drops of water calm him. Noel opened his eyes to see Clara had taken a step back. He closed the distance and placed both hands on either side of her cheeks. Noel held her there for a good moment, remembering each feature of her wet face. His heart beat so fast and so hard he was sure that Clara could hear it. He took in one more breath before he uttered the words he’d been dying to confess.

  “I love you, Clara Lawrence.” Shock filled Clara’s eyes and her body tensed at his words. They stood there as the rain pelted them with droplets, Noel’s anxiety rising as Clara’s gaze searched his.

  “You love me?” The shock never left her face, and it started to worry him.

  “Yes. I’m dead set, with every piece of me, completely and utterly in love with you, Clara. I think it was the moment I laid eyes on you again, after all these years that I started to fall in love with you. But the stupid idiot in me tried to deny myself of this feeling. This is real, Clara. Everything I feel for you is real. No one has ever made me feel this real before. Every day I fell further in love with you until I just knew without a doubt that I was.

  “I did stupid things to stop it from happening—I know that now. I couldn’t understand the feelings I had for you, but I can’t deny them anymore. They feel right when I say them out loud, and even if you don’t feel the same, I just have to say it. It’s been killing me to hold you each night and make love to you without telling you how I truly feel. The amount of times I’ve come close to telling you has been unbelievable. Every time I made love to you and as I came apart in your arms had me close to confessing my love to you. I love you and only you, Clara. With every beat that’s in me and for the rest of my days, I’ll love you.”

  Her silence tore a hole in his chest. Maybe it was too soon, but he was done lying to himself and hiding how he felt. He loved her, and that wouldn’t change. Staring at Clara, he knew his confession would never be a regret. To love Clara would be the single greatest honour any man could ever have.

  Clara’s now-cold hands covered his. She didn’t remove his hands from her cheek; she simply covered his with hers. Noel searched her eyes for an answer, but instead her eyes brimmed with tears. She squeezed his hands softly, but nothing in her face changed. Her silence was like a bullet to his already shattering heart, his Romeo moment. A love unreciprocated.

  “You really do love me?” she asked one more time.

  “I’ll always love you.”

  Clara let out a small, but confusing smile. The rain started to lighten up; the break of the sunlight added warmth in her almost golden eyes before she closed them and breathed in. Clara opened her eyes and let out the breath of air she took.

  “I love you, too, Nolan Parker,” Clara confessed. And in that instance his heart stopped. It was no longer his Romeo moment, but instead his Darcy moment. Clara’s eyes softened, and for the first time he saw a new kind of smile on Clara’s face. One that told him that she felt the love she declared. He let that beautiful smile sear itself in his memory to treasure forever.

  “You love me?” he asked in disbelief, and Clara let out a soft laugh.

  “Yes, I really do love you. I’m pretty sure I’ve loved you longer.”

  “Impossible, because I loved you first, and I’ll always love you more than you could comprehend, Clara.” He watched her blink as tears ran down her cheeks.

  “Then what are you waiting for? Kiss me already!” Clara removed her hands from his and placed them on his waist. He brushed her cheekbones and looked into those brown eyes. She loved him and that made his heart swell; it filled and it made him content.

  “I love you,” he whispered as his inched his lips closer to Clara’s. She closed her eyes and tightened her hold on his waist.

  “Then love me forever,” she breathed.

  “I intend on doing so,” he promised softly before their lips met and sparked an emotional tidal wave that submerged him. Loving Clara was a risk he’d always take again and again if it meant she whispered those three simple words.

  Noel loves me.

  The thought replayed in her mind over and over again. He declared his love for her. There was no uncertainty or denial on his face when he said it. There was not a single hint of fear in his voice as he spoke those three words. It drove her heart to fill with such joy that she’d shed tears at his declaration. After everything they went through to come out loving each
other was unbelievable, but she couldn’t deny her feelings towards him.

  I love Nolan Parker for every imperfection he has and for every bit of perfection he is.

  The sun’s rays blinded her eyes from the small gap in her curtains. She lifted her arm up, covered her eyes, and smiled. Being in love made her feel alive. Clara removed her arm from over her eyes and breathed out. She looked up to see her alarm clock hit 6:20 a.m. She needed to be at the bakery by 7:30 to start the new vanilla and peach cupcakes she was working on last night.

  Gently lifting Noel’s draped arm off her waist, she slid out of bed, placing his arm on the warm spot she vacated. Clara looked to see she didn’t wake him. She loved the peaceful smile on his face as he slept. She had never seen anyone more beautiful. Noel’s sculpted naked body against her sheets was something she wouldn’t get over. It had been almost a month since he walked back into her life, and now they were in love. It was funny how the universe worked.

  Clara tucked her hair behind her ear and walked towards her bathroom. She was tempted to wake him to join her, but that wasn’t going to happen. If it were anything like last night, she wouldn’t be making it to work. As they made love, it felt different, stronger, more emotional. The connection between them intensified, and she knew he loved her just by the way he looked at her.

  If anything, we are like Romeo and Juliet.

  The thought caused Clara to stop just outside of her en-suite bathroom. She turned and looked at Noel and realised just how wrong he was. They weren’t like Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. In fact, they resembled the tragedy of Shakespeare’s work more than Austen’s. Their love was in secret for fear of their own families—Clara’s brother more than Noel’s family. They were everything that Romeo and Juliet stood for, but unlike the star-crossed lovers, death wasn’t an option. She was hopeful, that in time, Alex would be happy for them. That her brother would see a side of Noel she knew and fell in love with.

  I’ll make sure we have Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s ending. The one where Alex gives us his blessing.

  Clara looked frantically around her room until she found her hair tie on the bookcase. She pulled through and tied it around her still damp hair. She was thankful that in her rush to get dressed for work she didn’t wake up Noel. Looking at the bookcase, she saw a frame still face down. She picked it up to see the picture of her and Darren from when they first started dating. Clara didn’t recognise the girl around Darren’s arms.

  She didn’t know what love really was.

  Tucking the frame under her arm, she walked over to her dresser. She took out her small notepad and grabbed a pen. She walked over to her side of the bed and sat down with a smile. She scribbled the words she would’ve said if she didn’t have to work.

  I love you.

  Ripping the piece of paper from the notepad, Clara placed it on her pillow. She leant over and placed a soft kiss on his forehead; she was happy that her hair was tied back and didn’t drape all over Noel’s face. Clara tiptoed out of her bedroom, closing the door quietly behind her. She walked over to the kitchen bin and opened it, taking one last look at the picture of her and Darren before she dropped it in the trash. With a satisfied smile, Clara walked out of her apartment and towards the elevator.

  Lost in her own world that she and Noel created together, Clara couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. The happiness flowed so freely in her veins. She had never been so happy. The elevator dinged before it opened. Clara took a step forward before she stopped. Guilt and shock cemented her feet to the ground.

  “Liam… you’re back?” she breathed out. Clara noticed his arm around a leggy strawberry blonde. He looked her dead in the eye, and Clara could see the torment in his eyes.

  “Got back last night,” he said flatly.

  Clara gave him an unsure smile before entering the elevator. It was seven in the morning and Liam had his arm around another woman. She wasn’t sure if it was guilt or jealousy that burned through her.

  Tension filled the confined space, and she felt like she was drowning in it. She shouldn’t be mad with Liam for already finding another girl when she had gone and fallen in love with Noel. When the elevators opened to the lobby, Clara raced out without a goodbye. She almost reached the double door entrance before she heard Liam call her name.

  “Clara, wait!” He grabbed her wrist and spun her around. She frowned in confusion at his action and sighed.

  “I’m happy for you,” Liam said sincerely, and Clara’s brows knitted. She was confused by what he meant by “happy for you.”

  Did Liam see Noel and I together last night?

  Liam bent slightly and kissed Clara’s right cheek.

  “I really am,” he added. Sadness crept into his eyes as he squeezed her hand and left the apartment building holding hands with the strawberry blonde. Clara stood there speechless and completely bewildered. He was happy for her, and that confused her. The only thing that brought her back from Liam’s message was the feel of her phone vibrating.

  Alex: I know you’re probably asleep, but we won the case! I’ll see you in five days, kiddo! Love you and can’t wait to see you!

  She dropped her phone at the sight of the message. She was completely horrified. It had been less than twenty-four hours since Noel told her he loved her, and the universe had done a complete three-sixty. Alex was coming home in five days, and Liam had another girl. Warm tears slid down her face and her heart strained.

  I only have five more days with Noel before Alex comes home.

  Picking up her phone, she reread the message. Her brother was coming back. Noel only just told her he loved her. She found the unfairness in it all. Clara wiped the tears away and thought about running upstairs to show Noel. To have his strong arms cradle her until she stopped crying at the possibility of Alex’s disapproval. She placed her phone in her bag and raced to her car. The faster she got to the bakery, the faster she could lose herself in the cupcakes rather than her life. Clara unlocked her car and sat in the driver’s seat. She let herself cry for a moment before starting the engine and pulling out from the parking garage.

  “I don’t know how you do it. All your recipes are about to replace mine on the menu,” Danny wowed as he finished his vanilla and lavender cupcake. The secret ingredient was a splash of honey and extra milk. Clara gave Danny an appreciative smile.

  “You’re just saying that.” She wiped her hands on the nearest tea towel and started to pick up her mixing bowls.

  “I’m not, and you’re wasting your time with that business degree. I’ve told you to consider culinary school, Clara. I wish you’d take my advice. How about I clean up? You’ve worked without stopping at all today. You should go home early,” Danny said as he started to clear Clara’s workstation.

  “You okay? You seem distracted,” Josie pointed out as she returned with an empty tray.

  “I’m good just… lost in thought that’s all.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth, either.

  “Go home, Clara. Lazy and I will clear up. We’ve got it sorted!” Danny winked before a tea towel hit the back of his head.

  “Josie, you’re so lucky I’m a great boss or I’d fire your ass for that!” Danny laughed as he rubbed the back of his head.

  “I’ll claim unfair dismissal!” Josie glared and Danny rolled his eyes at her.

  “Go home, Clara. I’ve put you under a lot of pressure with these recipes. Rest up, and I mean it. Have a bubble bath and a glass of wine,” Danny said as he ushered Clara to her bag.

  I need more than a glass of wine. I’d need the bottle.

  It didn’t take much to convince Clara to go home; her feet and her head hurt. As much as she tried to get lost in her work, Alex coming home still played in the back of her mind. She even ignored all the calls she received from Noel. It was too hard to answer them. It caused her to feel nauseated, and she couldn’t will herself to press answer. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t tell Noel about Alex’s message, but it felt better if she prolonged it
for a few hours.

  The familiar elevator ding rung and the doors opened to her floor. Her footsteps dragged as she reached closer to her front door. Clara let out a deflated sigh and fished out her keys. She closed her eyes tight before she placed the key into the lock and opened the door. She had to tell Noel that Alex was coming home. They had to make the most of what little time they had before all hell broke loose.

  I need to feel him and have him touch me. I need Noel to make it all go away. I need him to make love to me and reassure me that he’ll fight for me. I need his love.

  Opening the front door, she placed her keys on the hallway table before walking into the lounge room, and stopped immediately. First, she noticed Noel’s concerned eyes planted on her, his fists clenched beside him. Clara’s eyes travelled slightly to the right, and all air fled her lungs. She was completely horrified at the sight in front of her. Her eyes started to burn, her jaw dropped, and her chest heaved at the impossibility of breathing. Clara’s eyes returned to Noel, and that’s when she couldn’t hold back the tears. It only took a day, and it was already over.

  “Clara, you don’t have to cry. I’m home now, kiddo! Surprised you, didn't I?” Alex’s smile pierced every inch of her heart. Her warm tears slid down her face and she wanted to collapse on the floor. She nodded her head at Alex and he walked over to her.

  I still had five days.

  “Come here and give your big brother a hug. I’ve missed you!” Alex opened his arms out to her and Clara looked up at her brother’s happy face. She faked a smile; she couldn’t deny that she missed her brother, but having him stand before her broke her heart. She walked up and hugged Alex. For Clara, their reunion was far from happy.

  The universe was a sneaky bastard. Noel knew this many times before, but this time the universe had completely twisted his life. One day. That’s all he and Clara were given before reality set in. Alex was home. Each tear that ran down Clara’s cheeks brought with it a sense of protectiveness. All he wanted to do was remove Clara from Alex’s arms and hold her until she stopped crying. The devastation so clear in her eyes and it was killing him inside.