Butterfly Kisses

by Samantha Hicks

  “Molly tells me you’re moving back here permanently?”

  Jac went on to explain everything that had happened in the last two months from Molly’s accident all the way through to them trying again. By the end, an hour had passed and the sombre mood when Jac had first arrived had lifted. Molly had been right, it was good to see her mother again and build bridges. It might take a few more visits for the awkwardness to dissipate completely, but they were on the right track.

  “Would you like to come to the hospital and see her?” Jac asked. “I’m sure she’d love to see you. She’s getting pretty fed up with looking at my ugly mug and four walls.”

  “That would be lovely. Maybe we could stop for lunch somewhere?”

  Jac agreed and smiled. The two most important people in her heart were finally both back in her life. Jac was determined they would both stay there forever.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Jac walked through the main door to the rehab centre a little after six in the evening. Molly’s cage had been exchanged for a full keg cast a week ago and today was the first day Molly would be trying to put weight on her left knee. If the knee held up, her physiotherapy would be upped to get more mobility into her joints. Jac had wanted to be there to support her, but she had been busy making the final adjustments to the new house.

  She approached the reception desk, intent on enquiring about Molly, when she spotted her new physiotherapist, Kelly, heading along the corridor. Jac detoured and jogged to catch up.

  “Hey, Kelly.” Kelly glanced over her shoulder and stopped walking when she saw Jac. “Hi, how did it go with Molly today?” Kelly smiled sadly and shook her head. “That bad?”

  “Her knee didn’t hold up too well. She managed a couple of steps holding onto the bars, but it gave out. She fell, but I caught her in time. She didn’t hurt herself, but she’s pretty upset over it.”

  “Damn.” Jac glanced up the corridor toward Molly’s room, her legs itching to run to her. “Is she up for visitors?” Jac didn’t want to overcrowd her if she was too upset. One thing Jac knew was how angry Molly could get when emotional, often lashing out.

  Kelly grinned at her. “If it’s you, I’m sure she won’t mind. Go ahead.”

  “Thanks.” Jac took off in a sprint then knocked on Molly’s closed door.

  “Go away.”

  Even though her voice was muffled, Jac could still hear the distress in her tone. Without knocking again she opened the door. “It’s me.” Molly reclined on the bed, the sheets were drawn up over her face so only her eyes were showing. Even from this distance Jac could see they were red. She rushed forward as Molly’s arm snaked out from under the blankets and reached toward her. Jac took her hand and then settled next to Molly, pulling her into her body. She held her tighter as sobs broke free, clinging to Jac fiercely. Jac kissed her forehead and rubbed her back.

  “It’s okay, Mol, I’m here now.” Jac cursed herself. She should have been here for her, the house could have waited one more day.

  “I want to go home.”

  “I know, sweetheart. A couple more days and it’ll all be ready.” There weren’t many adjustments that Jac needed to do. The doorframes were already wide and could easily fit the wheelchair through. The dining room had the adjustable bed and the other essentials all set up. She hadn’t bothered to remodel the bathroom, knowing they would only have to change it back again once Molly was better, but she still needed to add a shower seat and handles to the walls, as well as set up the equipment Molly would need to practice her physio. She would need daily training and going back and forth to the hospital wasn’t really an option. She hadn’t unpacked any of the boxes yet, wanting Molly with her while they did that. All she had done was make the bed up in the master suite.

  “Why can’t I come back now? If I was home I would be able to sleep next to you all night. That’s the only thing I need.”

  Molly’s words thrilled Jac. She’d give anything to be able to spend the night-time holding her, but she wanted everything to be ready. “I’ll speak to Craig. I’m sure he’ll be on board with you coming home. He didn’t’ mind it last time and you’re a lot stronger now.”

  “Hah! I couldn’t even stay upright for more than a minute.”

  The self-loathing emanating from Molly’s voice brought tears to Jac’s eyes. She kissed her hair and stroked her arm, bringing goose bumps to her skin. “You’ll get stronger every day, Molly. It’ll just take time.”

  “It’s doing my head in.”

  “It’s only been a couple of months, don’t forget. You were pretty messed up in that accident. Just be thankful you’re still here.” She didn’t mean to sound so irritated, but couldn’t Molly see how lucky she was to still be around? Jac couldn’t help but flashback to the day in question when she had seen Molly’s truck overturned. She thought she had lost her. A fierce tremble stole through her body.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” Molly pulled away from Jac’s embrace, searching her eyes. “You’re crying.”

  Am I? Jac reached up and wiped her face. “Sorry.” She gazed into her eyes. “I thought I had lost you.”

  “Oh, Jac. Never. I’ll always be here, with you.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  Jac grinned sheepishly then kissed her, delighting when Molly’s hand worked its way under her sweatshirt, touching her abdomen. She trembled for a different reason now.

  “I can’t wait to go home with you,” Molly whispered, reaching higher and covering Jac’s breast with her hand.

  Jac sucked in a breath. “I’ll find Craig and see about you being discharged as soon as possible.”

  Molly laughed and held on tighter as Jac attempted to leave the bed. “Later. Just stay with me now. I want to fall asleep with you next to me.”

  “I can do that.” Jac shifted further down the bed and snuggled Molly to her as close as she could. It was a little awkward with the leg cast in the way, but after a few adjustments, they were comfortable. Jac lazily ran Molly’s hair through her fingers as Molly drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  “Are you sure I can’t do anything to help?” Molly asked as Jac carried another box into the lounge, setting it down next to the bookcase. Molly had been home from the hospital for two days now and was eager to get everything unpacked. She was able to sit in the wheelchair for long periods of time without aching and wanted to have the house looking like a home. From the moment Jac had pulled up out front, with Molly sitting in the back, she had fallen in love with the place. The pictures Jac took hadn’t done it justice, and although Molly was hesitant about the money, Jac was right, it was the perfect home for them.

  “You just sit right there and tell me where you want everything.”

  Jac began to pull items from the box and Molly did as requested. Within half an hour the lounge was complete. Molly gazed around the room, happy with the way it looked, when she realised it was all her stuff, none of it Jac’s. Thinking she was mistaken she looked at the floor-to-ceiling bookcase for any of the possessions she and Jac had owned together. There weren’t any.

  “Jac?”

  Jac looked up from her place kneeling by the fireplace, where she was arranging logs. “Yeah?”

  “Where’s all your stuff?” Jac’s eyebrows lifted, playing dumb. Molly rolled her chair closer to her. “Tell me.”

  “I, uh, wasn’t sure if you wanted it here yet.” She looked away, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. She ran her hand through her hair. “I know you said you wanted to be together, but I didn’t know if you wanted more time.”

  Molly rolled closer still, reaching her hand out for Jac’s, hating the uncertainty in her eyes. “I love you and want to be with you in every way. If it wasn’t for this huge dumb cast I’d have asked you to take me to bed already.” She squeezed her fingers. “I want us to be here together in every way. That includes all our possessions.”

  Jac’s smile was huge as she stood then bent to kiss Molly on the lips
. “I’ll go grab some boxes then.”

  Molly swatted her on the ass on the way out the door. She cursed herself for not making it clearer to her that she wanted Jac to live here permanently with her. This was their home, one they would hopefully live in together for the rest of their lives.

  A buzzing sound caught her attention and Molly searched around for the noise, seeing Jac’s phone on an end table vibrating. She rolled over to it and answered, not thinking Jac would mind. By the end of the call, she was confused and a little angry. Jac came back in a moment later with one of the boxes from the garage next to the house. Molly waited until she had put it down before speaking.

  “Your phone just rang.”

  “Yeah?” Jac glanced at the phone in Molly’s lap. “Anyone important?”

  “Depends. A Martin Hengrove wanted to see if you changed your mind about selling the car. Seems he has a customer who wants to make an offer.” Jac’s faced paled. “I, of course, said there was a mistake because the car had already been sold, but imagine my surprise when he tells me you didn’t sell it, that you decided to keep it.”

  “Molly, I can explain.” Jac’s eyes went wide and Molly didn’t miss the look of panic in her gaze. “I wanted to tell you but I forgot.”

  “There’s no need, I completely understand. I told you at the time I didn’t want you to sell it. It was from your father. I know how hard that must have been for you, but why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t know how. I knew you didn’t want me to pay for home care and the house adjustments. Letting you believe I had sold the car was the only way I knew you’d let me help.”

  Molly wanted to be angry at Jac for assuming she would react like that, but Jac was right, she would have refused the help. But that was then, now they were setting up home together and Molly didn’t want any secrets between them.

  “It’s fine, Jac. I know how much that car means to you. I’m just a little annoyed you didn’t tell me. I’ve seen you every day for over two months, you could have said something. It’s bad enough you made an offer for this place without discussing it with me and now I find out about this? How many more secrets do you have?”

  Jac rushed over and knelt by Molly’s side, placing her hand on her thigh. “That’s it, that’s everything. I promise there are no more secrets.”

  Molly gazed into the eyes she loved looking for any subterfuge, pleased when she didn’t find any. Jac always shone her truth through her eyes, something Molly had picked up on when they first met. Jac couldn’t lie even if she wanted to. She might be able to keep a secret but asked directly, the truth couldn’t be hidden. Molly leaned forward and kissed her quickly.

  “I believe you. Now, get the rest of the boxes in here and then we can start on the kitchen. I would suggest you cook me a nice dinner to make up for it but I don’t want to end up back in the hospital with food poisoning.”

  “Hardy har har.”

  They spent the next two hours sorting the downstairs out, save for the dining room that was to be Molly’s room for the time being, and finally, it looked like a home. Molly had a few ideas for redecorating and some extra furniture they could buy to help fill the gaps, like lamps and sideboards. Molly had suggested that Jac finish the upstairs but Jac refused, saying she wanted Molly with her when they set everything up; it was their home and should both be in on the design.

  After a simple dinner of pasta and chicken, cooked by Jac but under Molly’s strict supervision, it was time to call it a night. Molly had been in the chair for hours now, her pelvis ached and she couldn’t wait to stretch out on the comfy adjustable mattress. Molly decided that whoever invented memory foam was a genius and she had convinced Jac they should get a new mattress for the master suite made of the same stuff.

  They readied for bed, Molly grateful Jac could lift her onto the toilet so she could pee normally instead of the bedpan, and Jac helped her into bed. They said their goodnights, mixed with a few kisses and light touches, then Jac shut off the light. It had been a pleasant day, one Molly didn’t want to end although she was tired. The adjustable bed was big enough for both of them, but the last two nights Jac had slept upstairs, not wanting to overcrowd Molly. However, Molly couldn’t wait any longer to have Jac sleep next to her where she belonged.

  “Um, Jac?” Jac turned around where she stood at the threshold to the dining room, her brows raised in question. “Stay with me?” It was posed as a question when in reality it was a command. Jac stared at her for a moment before stepping back into the room and pushing the door closed. She came over to the bed, then shifted foot-to-foot, obviously nervous.

  “Are you sure?”

  Molly took hold of her hand and tugged. “Yes.” Needing no other convincing Jac lifted the blanket and slipped inside, curling her body around Molly, who was on her back. Molly tilted her head to the side, resting it on Jac’s shoulder, and reached her arm over to rest her hand on her stomach.

  “I love you, Jac.”

  “I love you. Goodnight.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Molly looked up at the sign of her former business through the window of the car, a well of sadness opening up in her heart knowing she would never be here again. Today, she and Tiffany would be signing the lease back over to Barry. Even though she knew this day was coming, it still devastated her to actually be here now. She felt a light touch on her thigh. She smiled at Jac. “I’m okay.”

  “I know.” Jac nodded her head in the direction of the office. “Tiffany should be here already.” Jac pulled the car around the visitor centre and stopped by the office. “I’m sorry about all this, Molly. I wish there was something I could have done.”

  Molly covered Jac’s hand with her own where it rested on her thigh. “The business was going under anyway. The most we would have done is delayed it for a year. At least this way we’re able to recover some money.” It wasn’t a lot, but at least Molly could help pay toward the bills of the new house while she finished her recovery. She still had no idea what she wanted to do for a living, maybe she would take up Tiffany’s offer of helping out at the garden centre. Jac had said there was no hurry to decide, she had plenty to keep them going, however, Molly didn’t feel right not helping out equally. An engine roaring into the carpark behind them caught her attention. Barry. She smiled at Jac. “Let’s get this over with and then go home. I want to finish putting the bedroom together.

  Jac helped her from the car, her full leg cast making it difficult. Her knee had improved lots over the last few days and she was able to use the crutches and walk with only a modicum of discomfort. She hobbled into the office seeing Tiffany sat behind the lone desk with paperwork scattered on the top. “Hey, Tiff.” Tiffany stood from the chair allowing Molly to sit. “Barry just pulled up, so we don’t have time to catch up. Come by tomorrow for lunch?”

  “I’d like that.” Tiffany squeezed her shoulder just as the door opened and Barry strolled in. His suit was creased, his eyes red. To Molly, it looked like he had been out on an all-night bender. Which he probably had, celebrating. He was about to become a very rich man. Molly refrained from scowling at him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing her rankled by all this. She smiled sweetly at him instead.

  “Barry. I’d say it’s a pleasure to see you,” Jac said, “but I’d be lying.” She reached over the desk and picked up the paperwork Tiffany had been looking through. “If you’d like to check the documents, we can get them signed and be on our way.”

  “Ms. Colby, always in such a hurry.”

  Even from the ten feet separating them, Molly could still smell the stale alcohol on his breath. It made her want to throw up. She concentrated on breathing through her mouth and not her nose. She could see Barry trying to focus his eyes, but it was no good; he was too hungover to ever see what was in front of him. Grunting in frustration, he shook his head and held out his hand. “Give me a pen.” Tiffany did as asked and Barry signed where Jac pointed. Molly and Tiffany followed suit. “Pleas
ure doing business with you. Now get off my land.”

  Molly shook her head at his brusque manner. She truly believed he was a despicable man. Jac helped her stand and then they made their way out of the office. They briefly hugged Tiffany, saying goodbye, and then settled back into Jac’s car.

  “That’s it then,” Molly said.

  Jac backed up and drove off the property, heading back to the house. She reached over and took Molly’s hand, kissing her knuckles. “It’s a nice day, why don’t we make some lunch and sit out on the balcony?”

  “I’d like that.” Molly smiled at Jac then turned her head to stare out the window, her thoughts turning over the last ten years and the business she had now lost. She had enjoyed every day working at the farm. Sure they had some teething problems at the start, and it was somewhat stressful at times, but overall it was enjoyable; working with Tiffany and the other staff, seeing the joy on children’s faces as they marvelled at the collection of butterflies, all of it fulfilled her passion. It also helped when Jac had been absent all these years. Throwing herself into work had helped take her mind off her heartache. She had no time to think about Jac until she collapsed into bed at night when thoughts of her intruded. Molly would lie in bed and stare at the photo of them on the bedside table, mourning the loss of their love. She turned her gaze back to Jac, watching her as she drove. Jac was back now, they had a home together. Yes, the loss of her business was devastating, but having Jac here helped heal the wounds. Knowing that Jac would be with her for the rest of their lives soothed her soul. The past was the past now, Molly had a future with Jac, a future she couldn’t wait to start.