In the Blink of an Eye

by S J Batsford

  Turning I go into the kitchen giggling silently. Grabbing two bottles of water, passing one to Ethan, I down half mine.

  “Well. I’ve been fielding calls from dad all morning. While you were obviously enjoying yourself,” he snaps at Ethan, who drops the smirk he was sporting.

  “What does he want?” Ethan asks, nervously, I watch from my perch on the counter.

  “He wants to know where the hell you are. Again.”

  “You didn’t?” He looks nervously at me.

  “No. I told him you were with me, but then we got into a fight, about where I’ve been and I accidentally told him, I… We were here.” He cringes. Looking apologetically at me.

  “Shit. Is he?” Ethan asks.

  I start to panic as my brain goes to the worst-case scenario.

  “Yeah, he’s on his way. That’s why I was so pissed off. What you going to do E?” Mason asks anxiously, watching Ethan pace.

  “Well, this is as good a time as any to tell him I’m not marrying Ashley,” he shrugs, coming to stand beside me and throwing an arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple.

  ~*~

  What the fuck were you thinking? I ask myself for the umpteenth time. Giving your virginity to a bloke who’s with someone else. So, stupid.

  Watching Ethan pace and Mason suck his bottom lip in and out, I’ve gone from mild panic, to full on panic and berating myself.

  What am I even doing agreeing to marry him? He’s still technically engaged. I’m eighteen for fecks sake. How could I have been so stupid to have sex with him. Unprotected, not once but twice? I shake my head, disgusted with myself, getting swept away in the moment and the magic of what we shared.

  I run my hands through my hair as my legs bounce, fighting the need to run.

  “Hey,” I startle, looking at Ethan, crouched in front of me.

  “Hey,” I say softly, my voice wobbling.

  “You okay?” He asks, laying a hand on my cheek, I nod not trusting my voice.

  I’m so nervous, I’m nauseous. What will his dad do? What will happen? What if it doesn’t work out? What if we can’t be together? What if I’m pregnant? All these questions swirling around in my head, making me dizzy.

  Blinking, I refocus on Ethan. Taking deep breaths, I try to quell the panic that’s choking me. Thoughts floating through my mind. Two words emblazoned. ‘Single Mom.’

  “Lily, it’s going to be fine, it’ll be sorted in an hour, tops. Then we can move on with our plans,” his assurance helps soothe some of my frayed nerves.

  “What plans?” Mason interrupts, from his perch by the window.

  “Erm…” I look at Ethan, at a total loss of what to tell him or how to explain.

  “We’ve been making plans for our future, but this needs sorting first,” he says vaguely. Mason looks from me to Ethan, opening his mouth to say something, we’re saved by the doorbell ringing. We freeze wide eyed, looking first at each other, then at the door.

  “I’ll get it then, shall I?” Mason mutters stalking off, none too pleased.

  “Baby, we’ll be fine. You and me,” he murmurs, stealing a quick kiss before standing.

  I couldn’t move if I wanted to right now, my legs are like jelly. My stomach churning, my palms sweaty, mouth dry and heart racing.

  I look up in time to see Mason come into the room, with an angry yet familiar looking man. He zeros in on Ethan first, not even noticing me.

  “Where the hell have you been?” he shouts seriously pissed.

  “With Mason, here with Lily and Millie,” he states obviously, I struggle to hold my giggle in, thinking he’s spent so much time around me.

  Three sets of eyes land on me. Shit, it must have escaped.

  Ethan looks bewildered. Mace is smirking getting it, but his dad’s face is a mixture of emotions. Shock, awe, bewilderment and anger.

  “Wait! Don’t I know you?” I ask, looking at him closely. Trying to pinpoint how and where I know him from.

  Ethan interrupts, “Alex, we need to talk.”

  “You bet we do,” he replies, his hands going to his hips, and it hits me.

  “You were at my Mom’s wake,” I interject, confused I look from him to Mace and Ethan then back again.

  “What?” Mace looks at his dad confused. “You were at her mom’s wake? Did you know her?” For a moment, I think I see panic in his eyes, before it’s gone.

  “Your Aunt Lilyanna was close friends with her,” he says matter of fact, his green eyes bouncing between us.

  “Back to the point. Why are you here Ethan? I know Mason is friends with Lily, but you?”

  Ethan clears his throat, looking like a nervous little boy. “That’s partly what I wanted to talk to you about Alex,” he swallows hard.

  After looking around nervously, he blurts, “I can’t marry Ashley…” Looking Alex straight in the eye. Pride surges through me watching him.

  “What the hell do you mean you can’t marry her? It’s all set. The wedding is two months away,” Alex explodes, his hands flying in the air.

  I feel like I’ve been sucker punched. Two months? He’s meant to be getting married in two months?

  “I know. I just can’t…” Ethan replies adamantly.

  “Of course, you can,” Alex scoffs rolling his eyes.

  “No. I can’t. I won’t marry a girl I don’t love,” he affirms.

  “You have no choice, Ethan. She’s pregnant with your child. You can’t walk away from the mother of your child.” He states unwavering.

  “Dad,” Mason tries to intervene.

  “No. You stay out of this. You and I are going to have words. Later,” he yells at Mace, like he’s a child, my blood boils, at the way he’s “speaking” to them, they’re grown men.

  “Okay, that’s enough! You cannot, and will not speak to either of them like that in front of me,” I fume, planting myself in front of Ethan.

  Alex looks at me shocked and oddly, proud? “What has it got to do with you?” He asks arrogantly, raising an eyebrow.

  “Dad,” Mason yells. “Don’t ever, talk to Lily like that again.” He’s vibrating with anger, standing between me and his dad.

  Ethan’s hands gently caress my hips. Looking at him I’m shocked to see desire flaming in his eyes, I turn away quickly.

  Alex looks between us, Mason guarding me and Ethan at my back, his hands caressing me. “Please, tell me you’re not…” he waves his hand between us, cringing.

  I gasp. What the hell does he think I am?

  “Dad... No. We are not altogether. Lily is my best friend,” Mason says, between clenched teeth.

  “Alex, you need to tread very carefully,” Ethan grates between his, the threat clear.

  “Oh, I get it now. You’re going to leave your pregnant fiancée, two months before your wedding, to pursue an eighteen-year-old girl?”

  “You know what. You know shit! This eighteen-year-old “girl”, has most likely been through more than your average “girl” in a matter of months. So, don’t make out like you know me. As for Ethan and me, I love him. I’m not going to stand here and listen to you talk to either of these two like you own them, like you, have a say in what they do, or who they love,” I yell, my temper flaring.

  “What’s going on in here? Lily, honey, are you okay?” Nan comes rushing into the room looking worried.

  “I’m fine Nan. Sorry,” I say softly, embarrassed. “No. You’re not. What’s all the yelling about? Who is this?” Her voice dying as she spies Alex.

  “Well. If it isn’t Alexander Scott,” she says snidely, I look on shocked.

  Mace and Ethan’s heads snap in her direction too. Alex looks shocked and panicked. “Nan? How do you know him?” I ask moving to hold her hand.

  Silence stretches, uncomfortably. “Oh, he’s a big-time Vineyard owner, right Alexander?” she replies, her tone ice cold. Alex blows out a breath, looking at the floor.

  “So, what are you doing in my house? Arguing with my granddaughter?” she dema
nds coldly, and even I’m a little scared of her right now.

  “I’m here for my sons,” he mumbles pointing at Ethan and Mason.

  “Your, oh gosh…” She mutters, wobbling a bit.

  “Nan!” I yell horrified. Time seems to slow as I watch her hit the floor.

  “Nan? Please wake up.” I drop to the floor, placing her head gently in my lap.

  “Shit. Cora. Someone get a damp cloth.”

  Ethan jolts out of his horrified trance and runs to the kitchen. “Here,” Ethan hands me the cloth and drops down beside me.

  “She’ll be okay,” he says reassuring me.

  “Should I call an ambulance?” Alex asks, looking on guiltily.

  I sputter, not knowing what to say. I glare. “How do you know my Nan? Why did seeing you piss her off? She’s never pissed.” My tone accusatory.

  He looks nervous. “Erm…. That’s a long story, as I said my sister and your mom were close friends.”

  “Yeah, I got that part. But what the hell has that got to do with my Nan, passing out at the sight of you?”

  “I…” He shifts on his feet as Nan groans.

  “Nan?” I wipe the cloth across her brow. She blinks, looking around confused. Until her gaze connects with Alex’s.

  “What the hell are you doing in my house?”

  “My sons.”

  “Oh god,” she looks stricken, looking from me to Ethan.

  “Please…. Tell me you haven’t?” she whispers to me.

  “Haven’t what?” I ask, she looks at Ethan.

  “You haven’t… slept with him or anything like that?” she whispers scandalized. It makes me giggle.

  “Erm, Nan I’m not answering that.” I blush bright red, looking at Ethan, who has a satisfied smirk on his handsome face.

  “Lily, you can’t be with Ethan,” she says abruptly. I gasp, the thought of not being with Ethan causes my heart to tighten painfully.

  “Nan, that’s not an option,” I state, my stomach churning nervously.

  “She’s right. You can’t be with Ethan. Because he’s engaged and going to be a father,” Alex butts in.

  I cringe as Nan gasps. “What?” Explodes from her like a bullet. She stands shakily, her eyes spitting fire.

  “So, not only are you his son,” she jabs her thumb in Alex’s direction. “A Scott no less. But you’re engaged and having a baby? While messing around with my granddaughter,” she rants, the venom in her tone compelling me to move in front of Ethan.

  “Nan? That’s not how it is.” I say softly, holding my hands up.

  “Oh? Then, how is it?” Alex asks snidely.

  Nan spins back around. “You. Keep out of this. You’ve caused enough trouble,” she snaps at him.

  His eyebrows rise in surprise, but he wisely shuts it. “Okay, Nan. Ethan doesn’t want to marry Ashley. He’s been trying to tell Alex for ages, he’s breaking off the engagement, he’s not playing with me, we love each other.” I reach back for Ethan’s hands and lay around my middle.

  “Cora? I would never play with Lily’s feelings, I love her. I knew she was different the day we met, and I thank god, every day that we found each other again. I am breaking my engagement, but I will be in my child’s life.”

  “Say something Alexander.”

  I look at her confused and hurt. “Nan? What’s going on? What have you got against Ethan and I being together?” I cry, tears blurring my vision. Ethan turns me into his chest, shushing me and stroking up and down my back soothingly.

  “It’ll be okay baby.”

  “Ethan, you can’t abandon Ashley. She’s pregnant with your child!” I glare at him for using the abandon card.

  “I know that, Alex. I’ll be there for the baby, but I won’t be marrying Ashley. Not when I’m holding everything I’ve ever wanted in a wife.” He kisses the top of my head for emphasise. I slide my hands around his back, burying my head in his neck.

  “I love you,” I whisper and kiss his neck.

  “I love you more.” He whispers into my ear.

  “Would you two stop!” Alex yells startling us. “How can you be that way with him? He’s cheating on his fiancée, the mother of his unborn child to be with you?” His implied insult hitting its mark.

  “Hey! Don’t you dare yell at her again. And don’t ever imply she’s anything but a good person. Embroiled in a bad situation. I won’t marry Ashley. For connections or any other reason. End of.” Ethan’s chest is rising and falling rapidly and he’s glaring at Alex.

  “Hey, it’s okay. Baby, look at me,” I say waiting for him to look at me. Finally, he looks at me, I place my hands on his face.

  “I knew what people would think and say about me for this. It’s fine baby. I don’t care what he thinks. He’s nobody to me. But he’s your dad,” I say, smiling weakly.

  “I don’t care after this. He does NOT get to talk to you that way. I’m a Barker. Not a Scott. You don’t get to decide my life,” he grates out between clenched teeth.

  “Wait! You’re not his son?” Nan asks.

  “No. He’s my step-dad”

  “Thank you, Jesus,” she breathes.

  “Okay. We’re just going around in circles here. Let’s stick to the point and facts.” I pipe up. Feeling drained, with all the different arguments and shouting going one, I have a splitting headache.

  “Can we all sit down and discuss this like adults. Please?” I plead, sighing when they all nod.

  Nan leads the way to the living room. I break off, heading towards the kitchen for water and painkillers.

  “Are you okay?” Ethan asks, rubbing my tense shoulders.

  “I’m okay. It’s just more stressful than I expected, and what’s with Nan and Alex? I’ve never seen her pissed off, let alone, cold to anyone.”

  “I have no idea. It’s weird though... Let’s just get this over with. Then you owe me alone time,” he whispers kissing my neck.

  “Erm, babe, you need to stop. Your dad and brother are just through there with my Nan,” I whisper breathlessly. Chuckling, he steps back.

  “Let’s get this over with,” I huff stomping off, I hear him chuckle again.

  ~*~

  In the living room Mace is by the window on his phone. Nan and Alex are having a heated whispered argument. Which stops abruptly when they spot us.

  “Okay, what’s going on with you two?” I ask frustrated looking from one to the other.

  “I’ll let him tell you.” Nan answers coldly.

  “Erm, we… I,” he stutters looking around nervously.

  “Oh, for god’s sake. Just tell them dad.” Mace snaps.

  An uncomfortable silence settles over the room and Alex looks increasingly anxious.

  “He called Ashley, she’s coming here,” she blurts “shit.” Ethan hisses.

  I stand there in shock, looking at Alex, wondering if he’s lost his damn mind.

  “You had no right to do that.” Ethan growls at him.

  “Well, since it’s her future we’re talking about here, I figured she had a right to be here too.”

  “Oh, so now we’re airing secrets?” Nan snaps standing.

  “Don’t... Please,” Alex voice barely audible. The pleading look, on his pale face a sharp contrast to the arrogant, angry and pushy man I’ve seen so far.

  “If you’re telling secrets, Alexander. I think maybe you should start with your own.”

  “I know you’re angry, Cora. But this isn’t the time or the place for this,” he replies, placatingly.

  “You have no right whatsoever to tell them what they are doing is wrong. You’re a coward and a hypocrite,” she snaps. Silence blankets the room, we all sit there, occasionally looking at each other.

  My phone ping's.

  Mason added you to a group chat: Mason, Ethan, Lily.

  Mason: Can you believe all this over you two?

  Me: I know! What’s with Nan & your dad?

  Ethan: It’s weird. Why the hell would Alex phone Ashley to come h
ere?

  Mason: I nearly bust a gut when I heard her name.

  Me: It’s all confusing me tbh, I don’t know how much more crap I can take today.

  Ethan: I’m so sorry. I didn’t want it to happen this way. Alex can be a real asshole sometimes. Sorry, Mayo.

  Mason: Hey! I know he can be. I don’t know how I’m going to tell him about Millie. He’ll blow a gasket.

  Me: I’ll tell him. It’s not right, and after today, I’m sorry, but I don’t like your dad Mace.

  Ethan: He was never like this when Niles and I were younger, he was kind and calm and playful.

  Mason: Wow. What happened then?

  Our conversation is quashed by the chime of the doorbell.

  Oh shit. I’m going to be sick.

  “She’s your guest, you answer it.” Nan snaps at Alex.

  My hands start to shake, as if I’m preparing for a fight.

  They walk in with their heads together, whispering.

  She’s shorter than me, with shoulder length blonde hair, stick thin, heart shaped face and yep, fake boobs.

  She has on way too much make up for my taste. She looks well bread though, in her designer clothes, unfortunately she also has that air of arrogance.

  “Ethan? What the hell’s going on? I haven’t been able to reach you all day. Then Alexander calls. Saying you’re all here, wherever here is?” She looks around, cringing.

  Cheeky cow! I’m about to say something, when Nan wades in.

  “Now. You listen here, Missy. Don’t you dare come into my house, disrespecting me and my granddaughter. I didn’t invite you here. So I suggest you find some manners right quick, or you can leave the same way you came in.”

  Alex looks embarrassed, whereas Ashley looks stunned by the short, plump woman telling her off. Go Nan!

  “What are we doing here? Who are these people?” She blunders on, not heeding Nan’s warning about being rude.

  “You’re here because Alex, can’t keep his nose out of things that don’t concern him.” Ethan sighs, finally speaking. My breathing slows as he gets up and faces her.